A French Journey with
Scenic
Why a France river cruise with Scenic?
The allure of France spans from the heart of the City of Love to the gastronomic regions of the South.
And there is no better way to see the sights and sounds of these picturesque parts of the country than by the river.
Scenic offers guests all-inclusive ultra-luxury river cruises to discover Normandy and the Seine; the South of France as well as beautiful Bordeaux.
The Scenic Difference
While you’re traversing down the river, your Scenic Space-Ship becomes your home away from home.
With just a capacity of 149 guests, they are designed for
5-star comfort.
From the captains to the chefs, the waiters, the wellness team, and butlers, on board you will be treated to the Nth degree. The staff will tend to every detail – everything from your beverage choices to your daily included shore excursion choices.
You can enjoy luxurious dining, outdoor, and wellness areas
and spacious suites.
Dock in the heart of towns and cruise further upstream in Northern France, so you can be immersed further afield, such as picturesque Honfleur.
Or you can disembark in the heart of Paris where you can see the city's museums and galleries, shop for French luxury goods, or enjoy a cafe au latte, people-watching in one of the thousands of bistros.
My French Cruise with Scenic
By Peter Lynch
You can ride out on an e-bike, take a front-row seat at an exclusive event, or sip the finest wines among the vineyards where they were produced.
Welcome to Scenic FreeChoice - the river excursions that live up to their name.
You can pick from an amazing array of experiences and choose the pace that suits you. Everything from gourmet food tastings to grand musical events held in castles is on offer - and many are exclusive to Scenic Enrich guests, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some.
Even though all European cruise ships have the same dimensions and 135-metre length due to the size of the locks they must negotiate, Scenic has managed some smart design feats that change the game.
The balcony can be incorporated into the room, or kept separate with a concertina glass door. With the window down, you can lean out and watch the rivers drift by in Scenic’s “revolutionary sun lounge”. This means you can incorporate the scenery around you while you read or relax in your suite.
The culinary delights just kept coming from the Crystal Dining Room to a River Cafe. Snacks, late breakfast, afternoon tea and main meals, and even a six-course degustation, with filet with foie gras, lemongrass crème brulee, and chocolate cake with balsamic cherries, was a real all-inclusive specialty meal.
No wonder these vessels are called Scenic Space-Ships.
Highlights of Discovering France
Les Bassin de Lumiéres
This former submarine base in Bordeaux has been transformed into an immersive art installation. On this Scenic Enrich experience enjoy after-hours access with an exclusive show, customised and curated for Scenic guests.
Scenic Culinaire Cooking School
Take your culinary journey on land back on board your Scenic Space-Ship. The Scenic Culinare Cooking School is where guests can take interactive masterclasses which are led by expert chefs. Guests can even 'Shop with the Chef' and visit the local markets.
Delectable Food and Wine
Onshore with Scenic, you'll get to experience a gastronomical delight where you'll find amazing truffles, oysters, cheese, sensational wine, Calvados, and even Cognac. To tie in with the Scenic Culinaire Cooking School, you will pick the freshest ingredients and meet the producers and artisans who have spent years perfecting their craft.
Discover Scenic's France
Itineraries
By Peter Lynch
France is the quintessential river cruise destination: great food, beautiful historic towns and villages well set up to offer visitors an endless stream of fascinating shore excursions.
A personal favourite is the south, where food and wine blend into the perfect culinary experience to delight every one of your senses.
Scenic's Spectacular South of France river cruises feature the Saône and Rhône Rivers. Lyon is the food capital of France - think the Burgundy wine region, the countryside that Vincent Van Gogh immortalised in his paintings. And you can try your hand at preparing French cuisine in a cooking class.
I heartily recommend you try this - it's a humbling yet inspiring experience where you will learn why the French take their food so seriously. The good news is you get to eat what you cook.
Normandy & Gems of the Seine
Immerse yourself in World War History and visit the home of the impressionist art movement. You can cruise further into Hongluear which is one of the prettiest harbour on the Seine's most immersive river cruise.
Here are some of the highlights
• Pay your respects at WWII Normandy beaches and WWI Somme Battlefields
• Visit Monet’s house and garden, the inspiration for many of his works
• Follow the footsteps of King Richard the Lionheart at Chateau Gaillard
• Experience a magical classical concert in the imposing Château de La Roche Guyon dating back to the 16th Century
Spectacular South of France
Visit the home of gastronomy in France which is also rich with Roman history. There is where you'll get to visit some of the most amazing local markets and even experience private concerts.
Here are some of the highlights:
• Shop with a Chef at a local produce marketing before learning the art of French fare at the onboard cooking school, Scenic Culinaire
• Experience a once-in-a-lifetime classical string quartet concert at the Palais des Papes, the former home of the catholic church, home to Popes dating back to the 6th century
• See the Roman ruins in Arles, including Las Arenas, a 20,000-person
Beautiful Bordeaux
Explore France's Bordeaux wine region and visit some of the region's elegant châteaus, historic villages and iconic vineyards. This is also the part of France renowned for its Cognac.
Here are the highlights:
• Sample Grand Cru Classé wine and visit the estate of Remy Martin
• Exclusive Scenic Enrich evening at Bassins des Lumière
• Explore French villages and vineyards by e-Bike
• Shop with a Chef and master French cuisine at Scenic Culinaire
The Scenic Space-Ships
The Scenic Suites
The Scenic Suites are sophisticated and elegant and are appointed with premium amenities. Designed with sleek and modern interiors, the Balcony, Junior, and Royal Suites feature a Scenic Sun Lounge that slides down to give you your all-weather window to the world.
Royal Suites
The largest suites on the Scenic Space-Ships, these indulgent sanctuaries are located on the Diamond Deck and include an impressive Scenic Sun Lounge, separate lounge area, and an oversized bathroom.
Junior Suites
These spacious suites offer the benefits of the Diamond Deck, including personalised butler service and complimentary daily canapes, and offer additional space to relax.
Balcony Suites
Enhancing your overall river cruising experience, these spacious suites are located on the Sapphire and Diamond Decks and offer a window to the world with your Scenic Sun Lounge.
The Dining Experiences
There are up to five dining venues on a Scenic Space-Ship which reflect the destinations you're cruising in. Here is what you'll find on board.
Crystal Dining
Enjoy à la carte menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Crystal Dining. This main restaurant offers a relaxed dining experience with local delicacies.
River Cafe
Offering a casual dining experience, you can enjoy all-day grazing options, light snacks, and tasty treats to suit your schedule.
L'Amour
With up to only 32 guests an evening, the exclusive and intimate L’Amour showcases sumptuous regional specialties. The delectable five-course menu features either Italian, French, or Portuguese cuisine (depending on your cruise location), paired with elegant wines, and is available on all European river cruises.
Table La Rive/Table d'Or
Featuring a six-course degustation, the exclusive Table La Rive and Table d’Or on Scenic's European river cruises offer an intimate dining experience for only 10 guests per evening. Guests staying on the Diamond Deck for 10 nights or longer, as well as Royal and Junior Suite guests staying for up to nine nights, will be invited by the Executive Chef.
Chef's Table Dining
Exclusively for Diamond Deck guests, the Chef's Table Dining offers an enticing
10-course degustation dinner with matched wines for up to 10 guests.
How to book your French journey
Secure your 2025 river cruise with Economy Class flights included on selected 11 day France river cruises and Earlybird savings of up to $800pp#.
Plus enjoy a bonus hotel stay on 2025 France river cruises, for a limited time only^.
*Terms and Conditions Apply
To book, visit scenic.com.au, call 138 128 or contact your local Travel Advisor.
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