Itinerary #1: Family Adventure in Western France: Paris, Caen, Saint-Malo & Bordeaux
From a scavenger hunt in the Louvre to a segway tour in Caen, a food tour in Bordeaux, and more, the mix of active adventures, historical tours, and engaging activities on this itinerary makes it an excellent option for families with kids of all ages.
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Paris, Evening Eiffel Tower Tour | Paris |
Day 2 | Ile de la Cité & Grevin Wax Museum | Paris |
Day 3 | Louvre Treasure Hunt & Patisserie Tour | Paris |
Day 4 | Transfer to Caen, Segway Tour | Caen |
Day 5 | Family Tour of D-Day Sites | Caen |
Day 6 | Transfer to Saint-Malo, Mont-Saint-Michel en Route | Saint-Malo |
Day 7 | Free Day in Saint-Malo & the Emerald Coast | Saint-Malo |
Day 8 | Transfer to Concarneau, Afternoon on the Beach | Concarneau |
Day 9 | Transfer to Bordeaux, Canele Class & City Tour | Bordeaux |
Day 10 | Food Tour of Bordeaux & Afternoon Free | Bordeaux |
Day 11 | Transfer to Sarlat la Canéda | Sarlat |
Day 12 | Castles & Canoeing in Dordogne | Sarlat |
Day 13 | Back in Time to Cro Magnon Man | Sarlat |
Day 14 | Depart Sarlat |
Start on a high note in Paris with skip-the-line tickets and views from the Eiffel Tower. Admire the exterior of Notre-Dame Cathedral, then snap fun photos with wax versions of your favorite celebrities at the Wax Museum of Grevin. Engage your young artists with a scavenger hunt at the Louvre and sample sweets on a Saint-Germain-des-Pres pastry tour on Day 3. Take the train to Caen, where you'll see the sites and learn some World War II history on a segway tour. Head for Saint-Malo on Day 6, stopping at Mont-Saint-Michel en route (if the tide is out, kids will love crossing the sand like pilgrims used to).
Play pirates in the walled city of Saint-Malo, picnic on the beach in Dinard, and participate in a crepe-making class. Head to Concarneau, where you'll find activities for all ages: build sand castles, try paddle boarding, or go dolphin-watching. On Day 9, taste your way around Bordeaux on a food tour, visit the kid-friendly Cap Sciences museum, then let the little ones splash around the Water Mirror, the world's largest reflecting pool. Visit Le château de Beynac, a clifftop fortress, then paddle a canoe along the river. Curious minds will enjoy spending the final day exploring the caves of Dordogne. Learn more
Itinerary #2: France Family Vacation: Paris, Loire Valley, Provence & the French Riviera
Families with little ones will appreciate the abundance of child-friendly activities on this itinerary, including a pastry tour in Paris, a farm visit in Amboise, and a nature walk in Île Sainte-Marguerite. Outdoor enthusiasts will also enjoy the opportunities to canoe the Cher River, visit the Troglodyte Caves, and cruise to hidden coves in Calanque National Park.
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Paris | Paris |
Day 2 | Marais Pastry & Chocolate Tour | Paris |
Day 3 | Guided Family Tour of Montmartre | Paris |
Day 4 | Train to Tours, Drive to Amboise, Tour Château de Chambord | Amboise |
Day 5 | Canoe the Cher River, Château de Chenonceau | Amboise |
Day 6 | Château d'Amboise, Villandry & Cheese Farm Visit | Amboise |
Day 7 | Drive to Aix-en-Provence, Explore the Aix Markets | Aix-en-Provence |
Day 8 | Cassis & Calanque National Park, Private Boat Tour | Aix-en-Provence |
Day 9 | Drive to Nice, Sillans-la-Cascade & Villecroze, Château de Berne | Nice |
Day 10 | Ferry to Île Sainte-Marguerite | Nice |
Day 11 | Free Day in Nice | Nice |
Day 12 | Drive to Marseille, Explore Marseille | Marseille |
Day 13 | Cruise & Swim in the Calanques | Marseille |
Day 14 | Depart Marseille |
Stretch your legs on arrival with a climb up to the Eiffel Tower's observation deck, then see the sites from aboard a Seine River cruise. Sample French pastries on a tour of Le Marais, and let your guide entertain the kids with riddles and storytelling on a tour of Montmartre before taking a ride on the carousel. Head for the Loire Valley on Day 4, and let the kids play king and queen while touring Château d'Amboise and Château de Chambord. Canoe the Cher River, stopping at Château du Chenonceau, where you can wander the maze, then head to a local farm to meet the farm animals and sample some cheese.
Drive to Aix-en-Provence on Day 7 and sample local specialties at the markets. Visit the old-world village of Cassis, then take a family swim and explore hidden coves on a boat tour of Calanques National Park. Enjoy coastal views, waterfalls, and the Troglodyte Caves (perfect for a family photo!) en route to Nice. Catch the ferry to Île Sainte-Marguerite, where you can hike through forests of eucalyptus and visit the aquariums at Sea Museum. Spend your final days in Marseille—tour the Frioul Islands, let the kids find souvenirs in the Noailles markets, and visit the best swim spots on a full-day boat tour. Learn more
Itinerary #3: Family Fun & Culture in France: Paris, Provence & the French Riviera
The variety of experiences on this itinerary makes it a crowd-pleaser for families with diverse interests. There are history walks in Paris for the little historians, art tours in Arles for budding artists, zoo and aquarium visits in Nice for wildlife enthusiasts, and plenty of opportunities for beach lovers to swim and sunbathe.
Day | Highlights | Overnight |
---|---|---|
Day 1 | Arrive in Paris | Paris |
Day 2 | Marais Pastry & Chocolate Tour | Paris |
Day 3 | French Revolution Revealed Tour | Paris |
Day 4 | Train to Aix-en-Provence, Free Afternoon in Aix-en-Provence | Aix-en-Provence |
Day 5 | Private Day Tour to Cassis, Calanques & Boat Ride | Aix-en-Provence |
Day 6 | Drive to Les Baux-de-Provence & Saint-Rémy-de-Provence | Saint-Rémy-de-Provence |
Day 7 | Drive to Arles, Explore Roman History | Saint-Rémy-de-Provence |
Day 8 | Day Trip to Avignon & Provençal Gard | Saint-Rémy-de-Provence |
Day 9 | Drive to Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle, Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime | Saint-Tropez |
Day 10 | Free Day in Saint-Tropez | Saint-Tropez |
Day 11 | Drive to Cannes & Nice | Nice |
Day 12 | Free Day in Nice | Nice |
Day 13 | Oceanographic Museum of Monaco | Nice |
Day 14 | Depart Nice |
Start with a stroll along the Seine, then ascend the Eiffel Tower; adventurous kids will love the thrill and views from the glass-walled elevator. Satisfy your sweet tooth on a pastry and chocolate tour in Le Marais, then burn off some energy in Le Marais' Place des Vosges. Get an interactive history lesson on a French Revolution walking tour with stops at the Obelisk of Luxor and Tuileries Garden. Take the train to Aix-en-Provence on Day 4, and let the kids choose local products from the markets for a picnic. Cruise along the cliffs and creeks of Calanques National Park on a boat tour with time for a family swim.
Visit the ruins of Château des Baux-de-Provence, then take your budding artists to Arles, the city that inspired Vincent Van Gogh, and peruse local art at Luma Foundation. Day trip to Provençal Gard and kayak under the ancient Pont du Gard, then continue to Laudun-l'Ardoise and hike to Le Camp de César fortress. Drive to Saint-Tropez, stopping for a water taxi ride through Port Grimaud. After a family beach day in Saint-Tropez, head for Nice, where you can roller skate on Promenade des Anglais and take your mini marine biologists to meet the marine life at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Learn more
More Great 2-Week France Itineraries
Looking for more inspiration for your trip to France? Check out these other two-week France itineraries, with outdoor adventures, family fun, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.