Highlights
- Participate in a treasure hunt in Paris' Louvre Museum
- Eat fondue in an underground cave system
- Ride the Montenvers Railway high into the French Alps
- Go hot air ballooning over Beaujolais
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Paris, Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise | Paris |
| Day 2 | Tour of Medieval Paris, Louvre Treasure Hunt | Paris |
| Day 3 | Sweet Side of Paris Food Tour | Paris |
| Day 4 | Train to Annecy, Caving & Fondue Adventure | Annecy |
| Day 5 | Mer de Glace & Montenvers Train | Annecy |
| Day 6 | Lake Annecy Cruise | Annecy |
| Day 7 | Train to Lyon, Cooking Class | Lyon |
| Day 8 | Hot Air Ballooning in Beaujolais | Lyon |
| Day 9 | Train to Paris, Family Bicycle Tour | Paris |
| Day 10 | Depart Paris |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Eiffel Tower & Seine Cruise
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 to your hotel by private car. Take some time to settle in and relax before heading out to explore.
Your first taste of Paris starts at 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 two first 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 lifts the rest of the way for incredible views over Paris.
Complete your introduction to Paris with a one-hour cruise on the River Seine, which departs conveniently from below the Eiffel Tower. The boat's glass walls and open-air observation deck ensure the best possible views. Individual audio guides are available, including one specially made for children. City highlights you'll spot include the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysées, the Louvre Museum, the Musée d'Orsay, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Day 2: Tour of Medieval Paris, Louvre Treasure Hunt
Today your family will step back in time with a tour that focuses on medieval Paris, centered around the Île de la Cité. All ages will be awe-struck by the grand buildings you'll see today, as well as your guide's fascinating stories. Go on a journey from Notre-Dame (which is currently under construction and due to reopen in 2024) and the birth of Gothic art to the majesty and magnificence of the royal Sainte-Chapelle, glowing with stained-glass windows. Also, check out the city's first royal palace, the Conciergerie, which became a prison during the French Revolution and was where Marie Antoinette spent her final days.
In the afternoon, enjoy an exciting treasure hunt around the Louvre Museum. This is an ideal way to get kids interested in this amazing museum while making sure that parents can see the highlights, too. The "Louvre for Kids" tour requires kids to unravel a mystery inside the labyrinthine halls of the vast museum, finding clues and piecing together the answers. They'll explore Egyptian mythology, Greek and Latin antiques, Italian art and classics such as the Mona Lisa, and much more.Day 3: Sweet Side of Paris Food Tour
Kids love sweets, and there's no shortage of delicious treats in the French capital. Embark on a two-hour tour that focuses on the sweet side of Paris. A guide will lead you through a mouthwatering whirlwind of cakes, tarts, meringues, chocolates, and more. Explore one of the swankiest parts of town, Saint-Germain-des-Pres, where you'll taste at least seven sweet French specialties.
The rest of the day is at your leisure. You could spend the afternoon resting back at the hotel or run off this morning's sugar high at one of the city's many parks or playgrounds, such as the Jardin du Luxembourg with its toy sailboats, carousel, and pony rides. If you'd like to fit in another museum or two, the Museum of Sciences and Industry, Fairground Art Museum, and the Museum of Natural History are all hits with kids.
Day 4: Train to Annecy, Caving & Fondue Adventure
This morning, take a high-speed train from Paris to Annecy in the French Alps. The rail journey takes about 3.5 hours, cutting off many hours of road travel. Nestled on the northwestern shore of Lac d'Annecy (Lake Annecy), Annecy is considered the jewel of the Haute-Savoie region. From its crowning Château d'Annecy down to its gurgling canals, Annecy's Vieille Ville (Old Town) is full of charm that will appeal to both adults and kids. Canals trickle through town, earning Annecy its reputation as an Alpine Venice.
Lac d'Annecy, dotted with swans and rowing boats, is said to have the cleanest waters in Europe, and Annecy's outdoorsy residents revel in all this nature. They row the lake, zip through town on rollerblades and bicycles, and, in winter, drive to nearby ski areas like La Clusaz. After a few lungfuls of mountain air, you and your kids might feel compelled to join them.
After settling into your hotel, head out for a truly unique adventure. Have you and your kids ever tried that delicious Alpine meal, cheese fondue? Today you can (re)discover it in an off-the-beaten-path setting… underground! Decked out like real speleologists, you'll have the opportunity to taste a good Savoyard fondue (accompanied by a glass of wine for parents) in the soaring caves of the UNESCO-listed Bauges Massif. The tour includes the services of a speleologist/karstologist, so you can learn your stalactites from your stalagmites along the way.
Day 5: Mer de Glace & Montenvers Train
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Lake Annecy Cruise
Day 7: Train to Lyon, Cooking Class
This morning, you'll travel by train from Annecy to Lyon, a city that's known as the gastronomic capital of France—and that's really saying something! The country's third most populous city, behind Paris and Marseille, is compact and walkable, making it easy to explore on foot, even with youngsters in tow. The heart of the city is the UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon (Old Town) and the Presqu'île—a piece of land surrounded by the waters of the Saône and Rhône—where you'll find narrow cobblestoned streets and atmospheric traboules (hidden passageways).
What better way to spend time in this culinary powerhouse than taking a family-friendly cooking class? This afternoon you'll meet your chef and prepare a three-course meal, with even the youngest participants joining in on the hands-on fun. After learning the tricks of Lyon's famous gastronomy, you'll sit down to enjoy a well-earned family meal.
Day 8: Hot Air Ballooning in Beaujolais
Thirty minutes north of Lyon lies the rolling countryside of the Beaujolais province, whose famed vineyards are part of what makes this the "gastronomic capital of France." Today you'll see this landscape from above as you take to the skies in a hot air balloon. Kids will feel like they've stepped into a storybook as they float over the scenic landscape of historic wineries and get a bird's-eye-view of picturesque hilltop villages, fairy-tale châteaux, misty valleys, and the Alps in the distance.
Back in Lyon, the rest of the day is free for you to explore. If the kids are hungry after this morning's adventure and fresh air, head to Les Halles de Lyon, the city's most beloved market, for an interactive, multi-sensory experience. Browse stalls laden with high-quality ingredients and locally-made products, then sit down at one of the many bouchons (traditional restaurants) for an authentic meal.
Day 9: Train to Paris, Family Bicycle Tour
Return to Paris today by high-speed train, a journey of about two hours. This isn't the end of your tour yet, though! You will enjoy a final afternoon of healthy family fun on a private cycle tour of Paris. Whether your kids are tiny or can ride better than you, you'll have access to appropriate kids' bikes, tandem attachments, baby seats, and all necessary accessories. Get a final look at the highlights of Paris, ride past street art, stop at patisseries for a pit stop, and more. As this is a private tour, you can go at your own pace. Tours typically last around 3.5 hours, with plenty of stops along the way.
Day 10: Depart Paris
It's time to say au revoir to France. Depending on your flight departure time, you may have time to do some last-minute souvenir (or snack) shopping before you leave. A driver will pick you up and transport you to Charles de Gaulle Airport in good time for your flight. Bon voyage!
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