Luxury Touring Experiences: Scenic Tours > Scenic Cruising > France River Cruising

France River Cruising

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The Scenic Tours all-inclusive luxury river cruising experience is flourishing in France. Scenic Emerald took her inaugural  French voyage along the Saône and Rhône rivers in 2013, and our latest Scenic ‘Space-Ship’, Scenic Gem launches in 2014 to showcase the Seine. They are the newest river cruisers in France and the only ones with full-size private outdoor balcony suites.

Promising exceptional service and amenities, from private butler service to unlimited beverages, this is the ultimate in luxury French cruising.
 
New Ship For 2014: Scenic Gem

Built specifically to sail the historic waters of the Seine, our newest Scenic ‘Space-Ship’, Scenic Gem will take her inaugural cruise in 2014 on the 11 Day Gems of the Seine River Cruise.

With the same space ratio as our ‘Space-Ships’ but built for the intimate number of 126 guests at 110 metres long, Scenic Gem will be the most spacious river cruiser on the Seine. Scenic Gem boasts all the luxury inclusions synonymous with Scenic ‘Space-Ships’; Scenic ‘Sun Lounges’, unlimited complimentary beverages and private butler service. As well as all-day grazing at the River Cafe and a dégustation extravaganza at Table La Rive.
 
New for 2014: Gems Of The Seine River Cruise
scenic emerald

The Seine is France’s second longest waterway, most celebrated on its World Heritage-listed Parisian banks, however its hidden depths also reveal impressionist inspirations, medieval masterpieces, picturesque ports and post-war architectural genius all unveiled on our new 11 Day Gems of the Seine River Cruise.

Learn to paint watercolour on board, bake macarons in Rouen, and spend a full day at the Somme Battlefields. The Seine is also gateway to the beaches of Normandy, Monet’s gardens in Giverny, and the home of the Château-Gaillard, King Richard the Lionheart’s castle.

Both our North and South of France river cruises can be combined as well as extended to other French and European destinations.
 
The Sights On The Seine

A feast for all from gourmands to art connoisseurs and history buffs to nature lovers, experience the joie de vivre of all-inclusive luxury along the River Seine, where artistry and history combine.

Paris: The ‘city of light’ needs no introduction but the Champs Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, Saint Germain quarter, Montmartre, and the city’s signature icon, the Eiffel Tower are proof of the powerful allure of Paris.

Conflans: Conflans is considered the capital of French inland waterways and boasts many centuries-old aristocratic châteaux.

Vernon: The beautiful ancient town of Vernon has an extraordinary history to be discovered on its streets, whilst gracing the opposite bank of the Seine is Giverny, made famous by Claude Monet in the paintings of his gardens.

Caudebec-en-Caux: This beautiful riverside commune boasts one of the finest churches in Normandy and Maison des Templiers, a rare Templars house from the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

Les Andelys: Lying in a valley and flanked by white cliffs, Les Andelys was the home of classical French Baroque painter, Nicolas Poussin, and is famed for the ruined castle Château-Gaillard, built by Richard the Lionheart.

Rouen: The historical capital of Normandy and home of Impressionism is where Joan of Arc was famously executed in 1431 and gateway to the Somme and its WWI legacy.

Honfleur: Honfleur is known for its beautiful old port, houses with slate-covered frontages and Sainte-Catherine Church. It is also perfectly positioned to explore the windswept sands of Normandy beaches famous for the WWII landings by the Allied troops in 1944, the largest amphibious operation in history.
 
River Seine

The Seine is a 776 km long river within the Paris Basin in the north of France. It begins at Source-Seine near Dijon, flows through Paris and ends at the English Channel at Le Havre. The Seine is spanned by 37 bridges in Paris and is slow-flowing, making it easily navigable.

Feature Tours:
 
Saône River

The Saône river is located in eastern France and joins the River Rhône in Lyon. Its name is derived from the Gallic river goddess Souconna who was considered the deity of the river. The River Saône is an idyllic river, which passes through the beautiful French countryside, including Charlon-Sur-Saône, Tournus and Macon.

Featured Saône River tours
 
Rhône River

The Rhône River is one of the major rivers of Europe beginning in Switzerland and running through southeastern France, it is the only major river flowing directly to the Mediterranean Sea. A tour along the Rhône River offers stunning views of lavender fields, rolling hills, castles and vineyards and travels through Lyon, Vienne and Viviers.

Featured Rhône River Cruise
 
Rhine River

One of the longest and most important rivers in Europe, the Rhine flows from the eastern Swiss Alps to the North Sea coast of The Netherlands and its many medieval buildings and prehistoric fortifications testify to its importance as a waterway. In particular, the Middle Rhine flowing through the World Heritage-listed Rhine Gorge is known as the ‘Romantic Rhine’ and also famed for its castles, vineyards and quaint villages.

Featured Rhine River Cruise
 

A France river cruise is not only about the luxury inclusions on board your Scenic 'Space-Ship', what makes your tour truly unforgettable are the exceptional highlights and unique experiences you will enjoy off board, we call these our Scenic Enrich and Scenic FreeChoice options.
 
Scenic Tailormade
tailormade

As you dock in the beautiful cities and villages along urope’s grand waterways, you have the choice to take a self-guided walk or cycling tour. Scenic Tailormade is our independent touring system with over 100 sightseeing touring options enhanced by GPS-activated directions and commentary giving you the freedom to plan your experience your way. Your pre-loaded GPS device will be in your suite upon your arrival.

Here is a selection of some of the new Scenic Tailormade tours:

  • Join Empress Sissi of Austria and Mozart for a historic walk through Vienna’s alleys
  • Walk on the dark side of Würzburg on a unique witch tour
  • Enjoy days of wine and roses in Colmar on the Alsatian Wine Route and in picturesque Kehl’s famous fortress and rose garden
  • Take our unique electrical-assist bicycles through the orchards, meadows and the famous lavender fields of Provence
  • Enveil the artistry of Europe on the ‘Van Gogh and Arts Trail’ through Arles and the ‘Rembrandt Tour’ through 17th century Amsterdam
 
Scenic Enrich
Palace of the popes dinner Scenic Enrich is our exclusive program of truly exceptional activities, allowing you to be immersed in local European cultures. Every Scenic Enrich event adds to the experience of the region you are visiting, whether dining at the towering spectacle that is Marksburg Castle, enjoying a private Viennese concert at Palais Lichtenstein or visiting the homes of local European villagers for the day, your Scenic Enrich excursions will ensure your European adventure is unforgettable.
 
Scenic FreeChoice
beaune

Scenic FreeChoice provides an abundant selection of activities in the key cities and regions of Europe allowing you to choose the activities that interest you the most, including  visiting Vienna’s Spanish Riding School and our sponsored stallion; witnessing the peasant villages of Skanzen, the largest outdoor museum in Hungary; and enjoying a guided cycling tour through the suburbs of Belgrade. Regardless of what you choose to see, you can do so in the knowledge that there’s no extra to pay!

We have added 37 new Scenic FreeChoice activities for 2014 giving you the freedom to choose the guided activities you enjoy the most at no extra cost. Here are a sample of some the new highlights.

Antwerp
Walking tour or Bruges - Discover Antwerp’s Old Town and catherdral on a walking tour or travel to the charming city of Bruges

Breisach
Village of Mittelbergheim - Visit Mittelbergheim in Alsace, one of the most beautiful villages of France

Dürnstein
Town of Znojmo - Discover the nearby Czech town of Znojmo for a lunch in local wine cellar

Düsseldorf
Neanderthal Museum - Tour the city’s Neanderthal Museum and archaeological park

Kiev
Museum choice - Visit the Chernobyl Museum or Mamayeva Sloboda, a unique open-air museum

Koblenz
City of Cochem - Journey through the most romantic part of the Moselle Valley to historic Cochem to discover this beautiful German city on a guided walking tour

Moscow
Museum choice - Visit the State Tretyakov Gallery, a museum housing a unique collection of Russian art or visit the Museum of the
Armed Forces

St. Petersburg 
Architecture choice - Enjoy a guided visit to St. Isaac’s Cathedral or tour the 19th century Yusupov Palace

Vienna
Vienna Woods - Discover the Vienna Woods, Baden and the Seegrotte underground cave system

Vienne
Train ride or walking tour - Take a mini train ride through the city or a guided walking or hiking tour

Wertheim
Walking tour or wine - Enjoy a guided tour of this medieval city, hike to the 12th century Wertheim Castle, or visit a local winery for a
wine tasting
 
South of France River Cruise

Fly Free* to Europe - Including taxes

South of France River Cruise

This 14 day river cruise from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles includes Lyon, France’s gastronomic heart, papal Avignon, the Roman city of Vienne, and the city of love, Paris.

Find out more about this tour or call us on 1300 723 642
 
Enchanting Rhone River Cruise

Partner Fly Free* to Europe - including taxes

Enchanting Rhone River Cruise

Spend 7 nights on board the Scenic Emerald as you sail from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles along the romantic Rhône River.

Find out more about this tour or call us on 1300 723 642.
 

Featured Tours

Paris & Rhine & Rhône River Cruise
This 18 day tour from Paris to Nice includes three days in Paris, followed by a 14 night river cruise along the Rhine and Rhône rivers.
More information Download brochure
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Lyon
This 15 day cruise explores some of the charming waterways of Europe’s continental heart, journeying from Amsterdam to Arles including Cologne, Lyon and Avignon.
More information Download brochure
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Paris to Nice & France River Cruise
This 14 day river cruise from Chalon-sur-Saône to Arles includes Lyon, France’s gastronomic heart, papal Avignon, the Roman city of Vienne, and the city of love, Paris.
More information Download brochure
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Normandy Beaches & Loire Valley
This 10 day land tour explores the Normandy Beaches before travelling to the Loire Valley.
More information Download brochure
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