Awaken your senses in the South of France
Europe
River Cruising
In Provence, the city of Avignon tells one of France’s most fascinating historic stories through its grand World Heritage-listed Palais des Papes.
To say the Palais des Papes is imposing is an understatement. With 15,000 square metres of floor space, it was the largest Gothic building of the Middle Ages, and it remains the largest (and one of the most important) of its kind in all of Europe.
Yet remarkably, for all its chapels, towers, arches and ornamentation, the complex took less than 20 years to build back in the 14th century, under the guidance of two of France’s most applauded architects, Pierre Peysson and Jean de Louvres.
When the pope comes to town
It's all in the palatial details
In the Saint Martial Chapel, another fresco tells the marvellous story of Saint Martial, who was sent by Saint Peter to spread the word of the Gospel in the Limousin area of France – the pope’s native region.
The building was finally vacated in 1906, and was declared a national museum soon after. Since then, the palace has seen near-constant (and meticulous) renovations. Small wonder the 700-year-old edifice on the leafy banks of the Rhône, along with the historic centre of Avignon, has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding architecture and historical importance.
Go behind the scenes with Scenic
Today’s visitors – there are around 600,000 of them annually – can admire some 25 rooms within the palatial walls, glimpsing the pope’s private chambers and some of those glorious frescoes.
But what if you had the entire place only to you and your fellow friends? You can with a Scenic cruise along the Rhône.
Choose the Spectacular South of France or Idyllic Rhône river cruise itineraries to witness the majesty of the Palais des Papes on a Scenic Enrich event. These exclusive experiences are designed to create once-in-a-lifetime moments, truly immersing you in your destination and taking you beyond what most travellers ever think is possible.
When the doors of Palais des Papes close to the general public, they open to you. Stepping into the Grand Tinel Room – with its domed roof, vast tapestries and original 14th-century stonework walls – Scenic guests are treated to an exclusive gala dinner of fine food and exquisite wine, all while being serenaded by classical musicians. Needless to say, the acoustics and ambiance are out of this world, the perfect setting for a memory that will stay with you forever.
11 Days
SEASON: 2025Spectacular South of France
8 Days
SEASON: 2025Idyllic Rhône
From the gastronomic heart of France to the Mediterranean
11 Days
SEASON: 2025Beautiful Bordeaux
Savour the beauty and romance
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