Perfect France Family Vacation with Teens

After your arrival to the French capital, your first day in the country will be highlighted by a high speed train ride from Paris to your destination of Avignon, which is tucked away in the heart of Provence. As the scenic countryside of France flits by your window, you should keep your eyes peeled for the crumbling castles and scenic chateaus that lend this landscape its distinct timelessness. When you arrive in Avignon, you will have the remainder of the day to explore its scenic neighborhoods and orient yourself to the town's relaxing pace.

To celebrate your first full day on this tour, you will have a guided walking tour that will lead you through the ages of Avignon's enthralling history as well as the modern layout of the city center. Set against the backdrop of the Rhone river, Avignon's old town will come to life when you visit the Pope's Palace, which is the largest Gothic-style palace in Europe, before making your way to the Place de l'Horloge. Here, the country's love affair with open-air plazas will be displayed.

Known for its scenic mountain ranges, charming villages, and welcoming hospitality, the region of Provence in Southern France is an excellent ambassador of the natural beauty and rich culture of France. Today, you will be able to enjoy all of this and more when you embark on a tour of the Luberon highlands and the scenic communities you can find there. From the hilltop village of Gordes and Roussillon to the 12th-century ruins of Bonnieux, your guide will happily introduce you to each destination you visit and answer any questions you may have.

So far, your explorations in France have mainly involved your two legs. Today, you will bicycle through the stunning communities and scenery of Provence on a self-guided bicycle tour. Your setting for this exploration will be the majestic mountains of the Alpilles, where imposing rock formations, lush fields of lavender, and olive orchards will be your companions. You will be encouraged to follow your impulsive side when passing nameless villages and farming communities that each promise untold adventures.

Arguably one of the most significant aspects of French culture is the cooking. By now, you will have noticed the pattern of well-provisioned tables at restaurants and the abundance of patrons who happily enjoy the simple act of eating. Today, you will learn how complex this pattern really is by diving into French gastronomy on a gourmet cooking course, during which the ingredients and secret recipes of the country's cuisine will be on full display. From ratatouille to asparagus and truffles, you will leave you with a whole new appreciation for French cooking.

After nearly a week of soaking up the ambient beauty and charm of Avignon, you will turn your back on the region you have learned to love and make your way to the political capital of France. A fortifying breakfast will be provided before a transfer drives you to the town's main rail station. Here, you will board a train for Paris. After a scenic journey, you will finally arrive at your conveniently located hotel in Paris and the remainder of the day will be yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Food, culture, artwork, and fashion are all staples of the French capital. On your first morning in Paris, it is this variety of potential adventures that may find you in great anticipation for your first full day. Wasting no time on pleasantries, your flirtation with the City of Lights will begin with a scenic cruise on the Seine River, during which you can rock to the waves and enjoy an exceptional view of the capital's most noteworthy sites. To conclude your tour, you will scale the lofty heights of the Eiffel tower in the afternoon. The rest of the day will be yours to explore the city however you see fit.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Paris was considered a haven for budding intellectuals, artists, and romantics. Today, you will be able to explore a Parisian neighborhood that saw its fair share of these Bohemian types more than any other. After enjoying a leisurely morning, you will be able to stretch your legs on a walking tour of Montmartre and the hilltop basilica of the Sacre Coeur. Here, an abundance of rustic cafes, eateries, and boutique shops will be yours to explore.

It is no secret that the one reason that many people come to France is to visit the country's finest art museum, and some say the best in the world. The Louvre is situated in the heart of the city, and after a relaxing morning, you will discover the treasures and mysteries of this famous museum on a guided tour. Da Vinci, Monet, and Picasso are just some of the masters who have work displayed here.

If style is more your scene, the hip neighborhood of Marais will already be on your radar as a must-see in Paris. Today, you will embark on a walking tour of the gardens, medieval streets, and picture-perfect squares of this delightful district. After a leisurely morning, you will meet your guide and embark on this exploration, during which you can witness a side of Paris that is often missed by the hasty traveler. Upon the conclusion of your tour, your guide will happily offer suggestions of tasty restaurants so that you can thoroughly enjoy your final dinner in the French capital.

As a concentration of art, architecture, fashion, history, and cuisine, Paris is unrivaled among European capitals, and it is not uncommon to experience some distress when faced with the prospect of departing this outstanding ambassador of all things French. As you wake to your final morning on this tour, you will enjoy breakfast from your attentive hotel staff before a convenient transfer conveys you swiftly to the main airport for your return flight home.