Paris & Provence Family Adventure - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Summit the Eiffel Tower

Welcome to Paris, the City of Light! After you've settled into your accommodation, step out into streets steeped in centuries of history, art, fashion, and, of course, romance. Thriving with activity, day and night, there's something to please every family member. Shop in world-famous department stores like Lafayette or Printemps, explore one or two of the smaller museums, or for a charming playground and garden complete with a carousel, pony rides, and toy sailboats, try Le Jardin du Luxembourg. 

Later in the day, head to the Eiffel Tower—even hard-to-impress kids will enjoy seeing this world-famous icon. Grab a summit ticket that gives you access to the lifts to the first two floors and the summit. If your little ones have the energy to burn after a long flight, you can climb as far as the second floor via the south pillar's 704 stairs. Take the elevators the rest of the way for incredible views over Paris.

Day 2: Le Marais Chocolate & Pastry Tour, Free Afternoon

Don't let the family get too full at breakfast—you'll want to save plenty of room for today's tasty tour. With the help of a local guide, you'll explore the cobblestone streets and leafy squares of the Marais neighborhood in between stops for tastings at some of Paris' best pâtisseries and chocolateries (sampling 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.

After all those sweets, the kids might want to burn off some energy, so head to Le Marais' Place des Vosges, one of the oldest planned squares in the city. This lovely park features a central fountain, lots of green space, and a grape arbor with benches to relax on. Other parks in the Marais that the little ones might like include Square Leopold Achille, which has a play area and climbing structures, or Square Charles-Victor Langlois, where you'll find slides and bouncy toys. 

Day 3: Le Louvre Treasure Hunt, Dinner Cruise on the Seine

Begin your day at the world's largest art museum—the Musée du Louvre. Although it's tempting simply to stand lost in wonder at the masterpieces before you, there's also work to be done: a family treasure hunt, culminating in a prize hidden under the glass pyramid! This is a private tour that will bring art history to life for the whole family as you go on a scavenger hunt through a range of collections—Egypt and the Near East, ancient Greece and Rome, and the Renaissance.

You'll have some free time this afternoon, which you might want to spend visiting another one of the city's kid-friendly museums, such as the Cité des Sciences (Science & Industry Museum), with exhibits specifically designed for children, or the Natural History Museum and Zoo, which has rooms dedicated to the evolution of various species and an interactive kids gallery.

When it's time for dinner, return to the base of the Eiffel Tower to board a Seine river cruise. Once you're aboard, parents will be greeted with a glass of bubbly while kids can head to the deck to watch the city's illuminated landmarks start to glide past. Settle in at your window table, enjoy the live music, and dine on a multicourse menu as you pass iconic sights like Le Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Le Grand Palais Garnier.

Day 4: Train to Avignon, Explore the "City of Popes"

This morning, you'll be picked up at your hotel by a private driver and transferred to the Gare de Lyon train station for a three-hour journey on a high-speed TGV train to Avignon, a picturesque city located in southeastern France's Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Get settled at your hotel, then use this afternoon to step out and do some family-friendly sightseeing. 

This medieval city, once the seat of the Catholic popes, is home to sites such as the Palais des Papes—the largest Gothic palace in history and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the city's lively squares and stroll its famous bridge over the Rhône, then head to Place de l'Horlog, the main square, and see City Hall and its 15th-century belfry. This is also a great spot to sit at a café and people-watch as the kids ride the square's still-functioning Belle Époque carousel!

Day 5: Tour Provençal Villages & Romain Ruins: Saint-Rémy, Les Baux & Pont du Gard

Let the kids sleep in today, then spend the rest of the morning however you please. Avignon is famous for its markets; depending on the day of the week, you can stroll around fragrant flower stalls, browse flea markets, or sample Provençal treats like calissons (marzipan sweets) and lavender honey. If you're in the mood for an al fresco lunch, head to Les Halles, the city's vast covered food market, and gather supplies for a picnic by the river.

Later in the day, you'll venture deeper into Provence when you meet your guide in the center of Avignon and set off for Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Surrounded by captivating Provençal landscapes, this sun-soaked village was the home of Vincent van Gogh for many years and inspired many of his greatest works. Your next destination is the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence, perched dramatically atop a rugged limestone outcropping. Here, you'll wander through the historic pedestrian center as your guide leads you to gems like the beautifully preserved Romanesque church of Eglise Saint-Vincent. 

The final stop of the afternoon takes you under the soaring arches of the Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct that dates back to the first century CE. As you explore this impressive UNESCO-listed structure, learn about the ingenuity of its engineering and its pivotal role in the region's history, and see why it's still considered the best-preserved Roman aqueduct in the world. After plenty of time for family photo ops, you'll get back on the road and return to Avignon. 

Day 6: Camargue Day Trip & Jeep Safari

Your last day in France takes you into the marshy landscapes of Camargue National Park, a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve about an hour south of Avignon. Meet your private guide and set off for a full day of exploring, starting with a stop in the charming seaside village of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, considered the region's capital. You'll have time to stroll around before continuing into the nearby Parc Ornithologique de Pont de Gau, where you'll visit the red and white salt lagoons where flamingoes feed on the tiny pink shrimp that give them their color.

Then, it's time for a Jeep safari tour. Cross swamps, traverse channels, and race along rice fields, keeping an eye out for the region's famous black bulls and Camargue horses. The breed is known for its "white" (technically gray) color, strength, and agility, and herds roam freely in the marshes and along the shore. End your day by meeting the local gardians (Camargue herdsmen) or "Camargue cowboys," and learn more about their traditional way of life. If you're visiting during the spring foaling season, young animal lovers will be thrilled to see the newest arrivals, born dark before their coats lighten to the trademark gray.

Day 7: Train to Paris, Depart

It's time to say goodbye to France! After breakfast, make sure to fit in any of the Avignon sites you may have missed earlier in the trip, such as the 12th-century Pont Saint-Bénézet (more commonly known as the Pont d'Avignon). When the time comes, your driver will take you to the station, where you'll board the TGV train straight to the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport for your flight home. Au revoir! 

More Great France Itineraries