Scenic Reveals a Deeper Way to Experience France by River and Sea

Bonus Luxury Hotel Night offer available on selected July and August bookings

15 July 2026: On the back of Bastille Day Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is putting the spotlight on a collection of unrivalled all-inclusive, ultra-luxury river and sea voyages that go beyond the familiar postcard, revealing the true essence of France found in its wine regions, art spaces, historic towns, battlefields and coastlines.

From the vineyards and châteaux of Bordeaux to the gastronomic heartland of Lyon, Van Gogh’s Arles, Monet’s gardens, Normandy’s battlefields and the French Riviera, Scenic gives guests two distinct ways to experience France. Explore by river, through its historic towns, wine regions and cultural heartlands, or cruise via a luxurious Discovery Yacht, along the Riviera, Corsica, Monaco and the wider Mediterranean, with a selection of land extensions to explore further before or after your cruise.

Anthony Laver, Scenic Group, General Manager Sales & Marketing APAC, said France remained one of the world’s most compelling travel destinations, because it rewards travellers who take the time to look deeper. “Most travellers feel they know France, but what makes these journeys so special is the way they reveal the hidden stories. By river, guests are taken into the heart of France’s towns and villages, with time to experience the food, wine, art and history that define each region. By Discovery Yacht, they can continue the journey along the Riviera, Corsica, Monaco and the Mediterranean. With Scenic, those experiences are carefully curated, and all the details are taken care of, so guests can focus on creating stories for life.”

At the centre of Scenic’s France river collection are three hero journeys: Beautiful Bordeaux; Spectacular South of France; and Normandy & Gems of the Seine. Together, they reveal France through its wine, cuisine, art, architecture, history and culture, with the ease of Scenic’s truly all-inclusive ultra-luxury philosophy.

Scenic’s unrivalled all-inclusive ultra-luxury river cruising includes dining, premium beverages, butler service, a range of Scenic Freechoice excursions, exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences, tipping and transfers, so guests can discover France with confidence and ease.

Scenic will also offer a Luxury Bonus Hotel Night on selected journeys, for new bookings during July and August, so guests can extend their European holiday before or after their cruise.

In Bordeaux, guests travel through one of the world’s great wine regions, exploring the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, historic châteaux, local markets, Saint-Émilion and Cognac. The journey also reveals a more unexpected side of the city, from the elegant 18th-century architecture that helped shape the look of Paris, to Les Bassins des Lumières, a former WWII submarine base transformed into an immersive digital art space, which Scenic guests experience during an exclusive after-hours Scenic Enrich event.

In the South of France, Scenic’s river journeys move through Lyon, Burgundy, the Rhône and Provence, bringing together acclaimed wines, truffles, regional markets, Roman history, Avignon’s Palais des Papes and the streets of Arles that inspired some of Van Gogh’s most famous work.

Along the Seine, Scenic connects Paris with the art, history and memory of Normandy. Guests can visit Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny, explore Rouen’s medieval streets, pay respects at the Somme Battlefields and Normandy Beaches, and enjoy an exclusive Scenic Enrich experience at Château de La Roche-Guyon, where a curated program of classical and contemporary pieces fills the château for an unforgettable evening.

For food and wine lovers, Scenic’s Taste of Discovery cruises offer a dedicated epicurean lens, with private vineyard tastings, regional menus, chef-led experiences and locally inspired dining. Rather than simply passing through famous wine regions, these specialty cruises are shaped around the flavours, producers and culinary traditions of each destination, with private vineyard tastings, regional menus, chef-led experiences and locally inspired dining throughout.

Scenic’s France story also extends to the coast, with Scenic Eclipse, Scenic Eclipse II and the upcoming Scenic Ikon offering signature yacht voyages that showcase France, the Mediterranean, Corsica, Monaco and the French Riviera. These voyages give guests another way to experience the region, combining the freedom of ocean cruising with Scenic’s ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht style. The much-anticipated Scenic Ikon’s French cruises, from September 2028, are already filling and guests wishing to secure their spot should book now.

Featured river journeys include:

Beautiful Bordeaux - 11 Days, Bordeaux to Bordeaux
A journey through the legendary wine region of Bordeaux, with opportunities to explore historic châteaux, Saint-Émilion, local markets, Cognac and Les Bassins des Lumières, a former WWII submarine base transformed into an immersive digital art space.
More details

Spectacular South of France - 11 Days, Lyon to Lyon
A culinary and cultural journey through Lyon, Burgundy, the Rhône and Provence, with regional wines, truffle experiences, Roman history, Avignon’s Palais des Papes and the streets of Arles that inspired Van Gogh.
More details

Normandy & Gems of the Seine - 11 Days, Paris to Paris
A journey through art, history and memory, taking in Rouen, Monet’s House and Gardens, the Somme Battlefields, Normandy Beaches and exclusive cultural experiences along the Seine.
More details 

Selected Scenic Discovery Yacht journeys also showcase France and the Mediterranean, including itineraries along the French Riviera, Corsica, Monaco and surrounding coastal regions.

For more information, visit scenic.cruises or contact your local travel advisor.