Compare Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise 2023 by Tauck vs France with kids, Paris to the South by Paris-Toujours

Day 1 Arrive Paris

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra. A transfer is included from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport or Gare de Lyon, Charles de Gaulle Station or Gare du Nord train stations to Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra. Your family's France river cruise gets off to a fabulous start from the moment you check into your your luxury hotel, a historic treasure in the heart of the city that for centuries has been at the heart of Parisian society. Meet the families you'll be traveling with at a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel, featuring entertainment by a mentalist that's fun for the whole family.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Hotel Scribe Paris Managed by Sofitel

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 2 A scavenger hunt in the Louvre & a choice of sightseeing

The day begins with a choice of sightseeing – a city tour that includes views of iconic sights such as the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Élysées and Notre Dame Cathedral – or a bicycle tour along the River Seine that begins in the Champ du Mars vicinity and passes in front of Museé D'Orsay, Tuileries Gardens, the Eiffel Tower and more. Following lunch, and schedule permitting, join us for a special visit to Musée du Louvre where you will have fun on a scavenger hunt that introduces you to world-famous art masterpieces, like the "Mona Lisa" and "Venus de Milo."

MEALS : B

LODGING : Hotel Scribe Paris Managed by Sofitel

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 3 A day well spent in Paris...

Your morning includes a visit to probably the most iconic sight in Paris, the Eiffel Tower. Early afternoon, travel aboard a high-speed train called the TGV and head south to Lyon, where you'll board ms Emerald, your floating hotel for the next five nights. The crew makes sure that you know your way around before our welcome reception, which is followed by dinner aboard ship... with some rather magical entertainment.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 4 Tournon, cooking & chocolat

This morning your riverboat takes you to the town of Tournon-sur-Rhône for fun family discoveries ashore including an orientation tour of this ancient town on the River Rhône; a cooking class at Scook, the cooking school of Anne Sophie Pic, located next door to the Michelin-awarded restaurant Maison Pic; and a demonstration in the art of making chocolat at Valrhona Cité du Chocolat. The rest of the afternoon and evening are spent cruising the Rhône, bound for Arles in Provence.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

Day 5 Arles, Camargue cowboys, van Gogh & chocolate art

After arriving in Arles this morning, get a change of scenery on a drive into the Camargue for a taste of France's "Wild West." This vast marshy delta has been home to free-roaming black bulls since Roman times; today the bulls are looked after by French gardians (cowboys), saddled up on white Camargue horses. You'll see them up close at a private ranch, called a manade, and a hayride into the fields to see bulls, mares and foals. Enjoy a Provençal lunch, gypsy music and a daring show in which players attempt to retrieve paper tokens from a bull's horns. Later today you'll return to medieval Arles for a walking tour that brings alive many of the places captured in brilliant strokes of color by one of its most famous residents, artist Vincent van Gogh – then create some tasty art of your own based on lovely French landscapes with a hands-on chocolate painting experience, This evening, an onboard performance by an accordionist precedes dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

PORTOFCALL : Arles, France

Day 6 An Avignon palace & a 1st-century marvel

Everyone dreams at one time or another of living in a palace... and today's France family river cruise does just that when your family visits an extravagant grand palace with four mighty towers... On a guided tour of 12th-century Palais des Papes in Avignon, once a "renegade" papal palace (built in opposition to Rome), your imagination takes flight as you explore one of Europe's largest medieval Gothic buildings. Or, if you wish, instead of visiting Palais des Papes you can join us for a bicycle ride in Avignon this morning. You'll have some time this afternoon to discover Avignon as you please. Then everyone meets up to walk across the famed Pont du Gard, and enjoy some refreshments; this three-level, 164-ft.-high "bridge" was built by the Romans to carry fresh water over the Gardon River nearly 2,000 years ago!

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

PORTOFCALL : Avignon, France

Day 7 Medieval Viviers, pétanque and more

This morning brings adventure to your France family river cruise with a walking tour of medieval Viviers, where you'll wind your way up through narrow, cobbled streets, curious passageways and doorways in shades of blue and green... leading up to the petite 12th-century Cathédrale Saint-Vincent. Next, try your hand at a game of pétanque, played by tossing a small metal boule about the size of an orange. Return to the riverboat for lunch (a barbecue on the Sun Deck, weather permitting) and an afternoon and evening spent cruising. Join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : ms Emerald

PORTOFCALL : Viviers, France

Day 8 Journey Home

Tour Ends: Lyon. Our family France river cruise concludes in Lyon today as your family disembarks ms Emerald; fly home after 11:00 AM. A transfer is included from the riverboat to either the Lyon Airport or Lyon's Perrache or Part Dieu train stations; you should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in at the airport.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Lyon, France

Day 1: Arrival in Paris

On arrival at the airport welcome and transfer to your hotel or apartment in the center of Paris. Free time in family to relax and wander in the lively streets around your hotel.

Day 2: Introduction to Paris with amazing views

After breakfast, meet your private guide for an introduction of Paris with a walking tour on the Islands (Ile de la Cité and Ile Saint-Louis). Your guide introduce Paris’ history while walking in front of many famous monuments. You walk on the Ile de La Cité where the Sainte-Chapelle was built to protect the relics of the Christ and the Conciergerie operated as a prison during the French revolution. Enter the building with a spectacular gothic vaulted ceiling and learn about the prison at the time of ‘La Terreur’ while passing by the gloomy cells. Notre-Dame Cathedral, dated from the 12th century and now under impressive reconstruction works.

In the afternoon, you meet your French Chef to learn how to make macarons or other French desert specialties. After this fun moment, you will get to taste your pastries with a hot chocolate. A sweet start of your France with kids itinerary !

Day 3: A fun and gourmet day out

This morning you’ll meet your guide at Le Louvre museum for a family treasure hunt! With a series of puzzles, you’ll explore great civilizations. Along the way, you’ll understand how the palace of Le Louvre was built and transformed over the centuires. You will also meet mighty kings and emperors, gods and goddesses, mysterious mommies, and a well-known italian lady !

After this playful moment you’ll be expected by your skipper for a private picnic cruise on the Seine river. A nice way to discover the monuments from another angle while tasting French picnic specialties like the baguette sandwich or various sorts of cheese. Eating is also a way to experience France with kids !

Day 4: Vaux-le-Vicomte castle, a royal visit

After free morning to relax, your private driver will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to a discover of Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle, a 17th century masterpiece that is said to have inspired Versailles castle. Every Saturdays from May to October the château and its Jardins à la française are enlightened with 2 000 candles. An enchanting and magical family evening that will give you a new perspective on the estate. After your visit you will have dinner at the restaurant of the Chateau overlooking the gardens and be transfered back to Paris after the firework.

Day 5: Journey to Avignon

Continue your France with kids itinerary on this travel day. After breakfast you will be privately transferred to the train station to take the high-speed train from Paris to Avignon in Provence. After dropping off your luggage at the hotel you will spend your afternoon discovering the charming city of Avignon, well known for the Palace of the Popes, the biggest gothic palace in the world, built in the 14th century and listed by UNESCO as world heritage. Free time  as a family to stroll in the narrow streets of the old town along the private mansions and have a drink on La Manutention terrace.

Day 6: Time travel to the Roman period

After breakfast, your private local guide will pick you up in Avignon and take you to a fabulous journey to the provencal Roman sites, a must to experience France with kids. From ancient amphitheaters to aqueducts, temples, forums and more, the Provence region is full of interesting and well preserved Roman remains from 70 BCE till 90 CE. You will discover among others with the explanations of your private guide the Pont du Gard, Nimes arenas where gladiators used to fight as well as Arles amphitheater.

Day 7: Lavender fields & Luberon villages

Today your guide will lead you to the Luberon villages, classified as “the most beautiful villages in France”. Start with Gordes, a gorgeous perched village and the Abbey de Senanque surrounded by lavender fields, blooming from June to August.  The visit continues with Roussillon, a little village perched on an ochre cliff with a walking path through this natural wonder, easy to take with kids.

Day 8: Active day and lovely landscapes

This morning is dedicated to outdoor with your private local guide : go for a 3-hour family private bike ride in the Dentelles de Montmirail area, north-eastof Avignon, where olive trees and vineyards grow at the feet of the Mont Ventoux. Though the area is pretty hilly, you’ll discover beautiful landscapes without even a sweat with your electric bikes!

Day 9: Coastal journey to Antibes

After breakfast, you will be privately transferred to the train station and you will take the high-speed train from Avignon to Antibes. Along the way the whole family will get a great coastal view. Free time in the afternoon.

Day 10: Afternoon at sea

Free morning to relax at the pool or on the private beach of the hotel. You will spend the afternoon onboard a yacht on the Mediterranean Sea towards the scenic coast of St Jean-Cap-Ferrat or the Lerins Islands– snacks, drinks and snorkeling gear will help make the ride unforgettable.

Day 11: Day tour to discover the Riviera

After breakfast you will have a private tour beginning with the visit of the old town of Nice. Your local guide will initiate you to Nice specialties like the socca, olive oil or delicious confectionaries at the Auer shop. You will then discover Eze, a small and picturesque perched village on the road to Monaco. Take time to get lost in the cobbled streets of the medieval village before spending the afternoon in Monaco to see the billionnaire’s yachts and  the oceanographic museum, a perfect way to enjoy some family time!

Day 12: Hiking day through the Esterel

Another outdoor day for your family today as you will hike in the natural park of Esterel. During this hike you will enjoy the red rocks, the sea’s turquoise blue water and the green setting of the Mediterranean vegetation.

Day 13: Departure day

Departure day : your private driver will pick you up and  transfer your family to Nice airport. All good things have an end and this will be the one of your France with kids itinerary as you say goodbye to France.