Highlights
- Roll up your sleeves for a family-friendly baking lesson at a Paris pâtisserie
- Take a ride on Montmartre's colorful vintage carousel
- Sit back and enjoy a scenic day trip through the charming villages of the Luberon
- Cycle through the countryside near Aix-en-Provence on comfy e-bikes
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Paris, Free Time to Explore | Paris |
| Day 2 | Le Marais Pastry & Chocolate Tour or Day Trip to Versailles | Paris |
| Day 3 | French Baking Class, Family-Friendly Tour of Montmartre | Paris |
| Day 4 | Train to Aix-en-Provence, Afternoon Walking Tour | Aix-en-Provence |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Avignon & Luberon Villages | Aix-en-Provence |
| Day 6 | E-Bike Along Cézanne's Route, Free Time in Aix-en-Provence | Aix-en-Provence |
| Day 7 | Train to Paris, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Free Time to Explore
Welcome to Paris, the City of Light! This elegant capital boasts centuries of history, art, fashion, and, of course, romance. Upon arrival, you'll be picked up from the airport and transferred by a private car to your hotel.
After settling into your accommodation, head out for your first look at the city. Depending on the time of day and your family's level of energy, spend some time walking around and enjoying the sights. Paris is alive with activity, day and night. Colorful boulevards and historic monuments invite visitors to stroll through the downtown, while narrow alleys and cozy cafés create a romantic atmosphere. If you're tired after the journey, a gentle cruise down the River Seine is an ideal activity for families.Day 2: Le Marais Pastry & Chocolate Tour or Day Trip to Versailles
Today, you have a couple of choices, depending on your family's interests: a food-focused tour of Paris' Le Marais neighborhood or a guided trip to the Palace of Versailles.
Eating pastries and enjoying art is synonymous with French culture, and you'll get to do plenty with the food-focused option. Your local guide will show you the best of the Marais neighborhood in between stops for tastings at some of Paris' most chic food outlets (including macarons, pastries, chocolates, and more). Kids with a sweet tooth will be in heaven. You'll also learn about the neighborhood's diverse history, from the Knights Templar headquarters to the Jewish Quarter.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: French Baking Class, Family-Friendly Tour of Montmartre
Youngsters will love getting their hands dirty today (with food!) during a lesson at a French bakery. The whole family will step behind the counter of a traditional pâtisserie to learn how to bake traditional bread and viennoiseries (baked pastries). The bakery owner will instruct you on the methods used to make baguettes, puff pastries such as croissants and pains au chocolat, and sourdough loaves. You can even show off your newfound skills by bringing home your own baguette!
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Paris' bohemian Montmartre neighborhood. Follow an interactive itinerary specially designed for children as you follow your guide through Montmartre and hear incredible anecdotes about this unique area. Visit the distinctive Basilica de Sacré-Coeur, admire masterpieces by famous painters and writers, be charmed by a picturesque carousel, and observe the last windmills in Paris.Day 4: Train to Aix-en-Provence, Afternoon Walking Tour
Save time and enjoy the views today as you travel south for 3.5 hours on a high-speed train (TGV) from Paris to Aix-en-Provence. This Provençal city is rich in heritage, art, culture, and education, and you'll soon understand why the surrounding landscapes inspired painters such as Cézanne, Picasso, and Kandinsky.
After getting settled in at your hotel, set off to explore Aix on a two-hour guided walking tour. Stroll through a labyrinth of narrow streets, passing historic churches and squares as your guide points out famous and hidden gems. Visit the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, a Romanesque/Gothic church built on the site of an ancient Greek temple to Apollo. Then, stop and see the 14th-century Town Hall (known locally as the Hotel de Ville) and take a walk along the Cours Mirabeau, a thoroughfare lined with leafy trees, markets, and cafés. Encourage your kids to keep their eyes peeled for the Roman-era ruins!
Day 5: Day Trip to Avignon & Luberon Villages
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast today before you meet your guide for a scenic, small-group day trip that starts with the nearby medieval city of Avignon. You'll find centuries of fascinating history here, as it was the seat of the Catholic popes for several decades in the 14th century. Stroll to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Le Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) and the Pont Saint-Bénézet medieval bridge, the subject of the famous 15th-century song "Sur le Pont d'Avignon." You'll also visit Avignon Cathedral, Doms Garden, Saint Pierre Basilica, and the Place de l'Horloge, Avignon's main square.
Next, you'll explore the surrounding Luberon region, known for its vineyards, orchards, and postcard-worthy hilltop villages. Visit the town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, famous for its outdoor weekend markets, antique stores, and old wooden waterwheels churning over the River Sorgue, which bisects the town. There are few better spots to enjoy a relaxing lunch than here in town, which is exactly what you'll do.
After lunch, continue to Gordes, arguably the most beautiful of all the hilltop villages in the Luberon. Its fortified castle dominates the skyline, and from its winding cobbled streets, you can look out to sweeping views over the valley and surrounding hills. From Gordes, it's just a short drive to the 12th-century Cistercian Abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque. Kids will appreciate the slower pace in these small towns, and those interested in history and fairy tales will find much to impress them on today's itinerary. At the end of the excursion, your guide will drop you back in Aix for the evening.
Day 6: E-Bike Along Cézanne's Route, Free Time in Aix-en-Provence
Outdoorsy members of the family will enjoy spending the morning exploring the countryside on a three-hour e-bike tour. You'll follow the Cézanne Route from Aix-en-Provence to Sainte-Victoire via Le Tholonet, recreating the journey of the great artist and experiencing the landscapes that inspired him. With an average speed of about 9 mph (15 km/h), you'll be able to cruise effortlessly, and even little legs won't get tired. Along the way, stop at ancient chapels, visit small villages, and (in June and July) see the famed lavender fields.
Return to Aix-en-Provence for a free afternoon to spend as you wish, according to your family's interests. Some options include the Pavillon Vendôme, with its French-style gardens; the Cours Mirabeau, with its archway of sycamores shading sidewalk cafés and terraces; Cézanne's Studio and garden, where he painted some of his greatest masterpieces; or the Archbishops' Palace, adjoining the Saint-Sauveur cathedral. In the evening, celebrate your final night in France with dinner at one of the city's farm-to-table restaurants.Day 7: Train to Paris, Depart
This morning, return to Paris on the TGV train, admiring the views of the French countryside as they zip past your window. You'll arrive at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport in plenty of time for your onward flight. Bon voyage!
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