Compare A Week In… The French Riviera, Provence and Paris 2021 by Tauck vs France with kids, Paris to the South by Paris-Toujours

Day 1 Arrive Nice

Tour begins: 3:30 PM, Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée. A transfer is included from Nice Côte d'Azur Airport to Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée. Join us this afternoon for a walking tour of Old Town Nice. Later, all gather for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner this evening at your five-star luxury hotel, occupying a former Art Deco casino located on Nice’s legendary Promenade des Anglais.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée

PORTOFCALL : Nice, France

Day 2 A Wealth of Color in Nice & Monaco

A marvelous day in southern France begins with a panoramic tour of seaside Nice, whose "Old Town" recalls the days when aristocrats and royals spent their winters here; see the Port and the Promenade des Anglais, Place Garibaldi and the Cimiez District, a leafy, upscale neighborhood in the north of the city known for its historic, elegant apartment buildings, expansive gardens and Roman ruins. Here, you'll enjoy a visit to Musée Marc Chagall, a national museum spotlighting religious-inspired works by the Russian-born painter who made France his home. Next, head for Monaco to get a taste of life in glamorous Monte-Carlo, including lunch on the terrace of the elegant Fairmont Monte Carlo. Then spend some free time in Monaco-Ville, the oldest part of the city (also known as Le Rocher, or “The Rock”), where you can visit either the Prince's Palace, home of Monaco's ruling Grimaldi family since the 13th century, or the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (Monaco Cathedral), completed early in the 20th century. Return to your hotel in Nice for an evening spent as you please.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée

PORTOFCALL : Nice, France

Day 3 Where Impressionists Dreamed

From Nice, begin the day with a visit to the picturesque walled town of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a Provençal hilltop town that was built in the 13th century, for an orientation tour and a walking tour led by your Tauck Director; you'll be taken with its medieval look and easily understand why it became an artists' enclave. After some free time to explore Saint-Paul-de-Vence on your own, continue on for an afternoon spent among the fountains, squares and medieval center of lovely Aix-en-Provence; imagine great artists like Paul Cézanne and others at work amidst the spectrum of colors found in "Aix" as you explore and enjoy lunch as you please in town, and join your local guide for a walking tour. Arrive late afternoon in St-Rémy-de-Provence to spend the next two nights at charming Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa, where you'll enjoy dinner this evening.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa

PORTOFCALL : Aix-en-Provence, France

Day 4 Van Gogh's Places & a Palace for Popes

No journey in Provence is complete without exploring the landscapes that inspired Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, where olive groves, cypress trees, and flowers the colors of the rainbow greet you. You'll do just that when you join your Tauck Director for a morning market visit and a walking tour of St-Rémy-de-Provence, where van Gogh spent a year of his life at a monastery that served as an asylum – a period of creativity that produced 150 of his most beloved paintings, including Starry Night, Wheat Field with Cypresses and Irises. After a free afternoon for lunch as you please and time spent as you wish in St-Rémy, head to Avignon, which has reigned as one of Europe's most beautiful medieval cities since the 14th century, when it was briefly the capital of Christendom and the home of the Roman Catholic popes. Following an orientation tour of this well-preserved riverside city, a visit inside the four-towered, fortress-like Palais des Papes with a local guide reveals the treasures and lifestyles of the pontiffs who reigned here for almost 70 years. Join us this evening for a memorable private chef's dinner in Avignon including a wine tasting and cooking demonstration, before returning to your hotel in St-Rémy.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa

PORTOFCALL : St-Rémy-de-Provence, France

Day 5 An eternal Aqueduct & The TGV to Paris

Depart St-Rémy this morning and travel to the Pont du Gard – a three-level, 164-ft.-high “bridge” built by the Romans to carry fresh water over the River Gardon nearly 2,000 years ago – for an adventurous guided walk over the famous aqueduct and a visit to its museum. After a boxed lunch, board the high-speed TGV train in Avignon for a rapid rail journey in first class to inimitable Paris and a three-night stay at the newly renovated Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra; enjoy dinner at a local Parisian restaurant tonight.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 6 The Joie de Vivre of Paris

A guided orientation tour today gives you a great overview of Paris and includes the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde, the Eiffel Tower and more. Then, combine two Parisian pleasures as you feast on a sumptuous lunch from the kitchen of Chef Alain Ducasse while gliding along the River Seine aboard Ducasse sur Seine, a floating restaurant created by the famous chef. As the soul of Parisian cuisine comes to life on your plate, the city’s landmarks float by, each one a unique confection. Explore more of the amazing French capital as you wish for the rest of the day and evening.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 7 Musée du Louvre & Paris Shimmering

Join our local guide this morning for a visit inside the legendary Musée du Louvre, where you'll view some of the world’s most famous art masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Spend the afternoon at leisure, then join us for our farewell dinner tonight at a venue affording memorable views of this remarkable city – and bid adieu to Paris in true Tauck style!

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera

PORTOFCALL : Paris, France

Day 8 Journey home

Tour ends: Paris. Fly home anytime. Your transfer is included from Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra to Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Orly Airport or a Paris train station. You should allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Paris, 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.