Compare Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise 2023 by Tauck vs Country Roads of France - Classic Group by Insight Vacations
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 17 days |
| Price From | $ 4,990 | $ 6,038 |
| Price Per Day | $ 624 | $ 355 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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N/A |
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
Experience the best of France – together as a family.... two nights in Paris and a 5-night river cruise along the historic Rhône river immerse your family in just about everything Français! Learning means "doing" and experiencing – from a scavenger hunt in the Louvre to castles, chocolat – even cooking and cowboys! |
Consider this your ‘Tour de France’ — a 16-day guided tour that embraces the best of the country, from fortified towns and fine wines. Drive along the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco, stopping to step inside its cathedral, where Princess Grace has been laid to rest. In Avignon, play pétanque, a bocce-like sport, then celebrate your new skills with a fine French aperitif. Travel to Carcassonne, a fortified city complete with ramparts and a medieval keep. Drive through the Valley of the Dordogne, then feast on a farm-to-table dinner paired with regional wine in Sarlat-La-Caneda. In Paris, embrace the City of Light’s most beloved sites: marvel at the Eiffel Tower, gaze at Louvre's glorious facades, and be driven down the posh Champs Elysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. |
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: Welcome to Paris
On arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport, transfers leave for the hotel at 08:30, 11:00 and 14:00. After checking in, the capital’s grand boulevards and world-famous landmarks are yours to explore. At 17:30, meet your Travel Director and fellow guests at the hotel before joining a Welcome Dinner at Brasserie Bofinger, a local restaurant with cuisine inspired by country recipes.
Pullman Paris Centre Bercy.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: Champagne Region and on to Dijon
Journey through the Champagne region. Stop to savour a taste of champagne, for which this region is world famous. Continue on to your hotel in Dijon.
Grand Hotel Dijon La Cloche, Dijon.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 3: Free Time in Dijon Relaxed Start
Enjoy the Burgundy capital of Dijon. Its many handsome buildings recall the time when the Dukes of Burgundy were more powerful than the Kings of France. Perhaps take the opportunity to visit the wine capital of Burgundy, Beaune? In the evening, don't miss the chance of an optional Burgundy wine tasting and traditional dinner in the Premier Cru village of Fixin.
Grand Hotel Dijon La Cloche, Dijon.
Breakfast
Day 4: Chamonix
Travel towards the Mâconnais and Beaujolais before turning east into the Alps. A scenic symphony awaits you as you ascend into the high Alps and climb towards Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain. Your destination is the fashionable ski resort of Chamonix. In the evening you may choose to try a local pierrade at a local trendy eatery in a traditional chalet. This Optional Experience provides the chance to try a typical regional meal, cooked on a table barbecue using on a hot stone.
Hotel Mercure Chamonix.
Breakfast
Day 5: Lakeside Annecy and Grenoble Relaxed Start
In the morning, embark on a beautiful journey to the lakeside town of Annecy, dramatically situated between lake and mountains, it's a medieval spectacle and a summer getaway for the French and the Swiss locals. Enjoy free time for lunch in Little Venice, aptly named for the network of canals criss-crossing through the Old Town. Explore the city’s many lovely bridges at your leisure. Continue on to your hotel in Grenoble. This evening, savour a delicious raclette dinner at a local restaurant.
Park Hôtel Grenoble-MGallery.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: The French Riviera to reach Nice
Glorious mountain scenery will be yours to enjoy as you travel along a spectacular route, used by the Emperor Napoleon when he returned from his first exile to try to take the throne of France once more. Continue to the French Riviera to reach the elegant resort of Nice. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore as you wish. In the evening, why not walk through old town Nice, ending in Cours Saleya where dinner is at your leisure at one of the many lovely bistros?
Radisson Blu Hotel, Nice.
Breakfast
Day 7: Monaco and the Côte d’Azur
Wake up ready to rub shoulders with the jet-set on the glamorous Côte d’Azur. Unlock the secrets of the French perfume industry with a visit to a perfumery, where fragrance experts waft exclusive scents from stoppered bottles. Then enjoy a drive along part of the Grand Prix circuit in Monaco and walk with your Travel Director through the old town to see the Royal Palace and yacht-filled harbour. Your exploration continues as you visit inside Monaco Cathedral, housing the tomb of Princess Grace. The rest of the day is set aside for you to enjoy the French Riviera at your own pace. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit to the medieval village of Eze and its hill-top Botanical Gardens for a spectacular view of the coastline?
Radisson Blu Hotel, Nice.
Breakfast
Day 8: Picturesque Provence
Visit the medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence, perched high above the Riviera beaches. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and views of mountains and sea. Enjoy a lesson in the French sport of pétanque. Steady your hand and get ready to test your newfound skills as you take part in a game, completed by a glass of pastis, a French apéritif. Continue to Aix-en-Provence to see the sumptuous mansions lining the Cours Mirabeau and on to your hotel.
Aquabella Hotel & Spa, Aix-en-Provence.
Breakfast
Day 9: Avignon and Pont du Gard
Journey to Pont du Gard to see the magnificent ancient Roman aqueduct bridge. Continue on to Avignon to enjoy views of the remaining arches of the Pont d'Avignon and the fortified Papal Palace.Stop at the beautiful Domaine de la Vallongue for a tasting of its renowned wines and gastronomic olive oils. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, the estate uses traditional practices throughout, creating a sustainable business for future generations.
Aquabella Hotel & Spa, Aix-en-Provence.
Breakfast
Day 10: Carcassonne and to Albi
Head to beautiful Arles and learn about its historical connection to Vincent Van Gogh, who produced over 300 artworks during his time in the city. Cross the fertile Languedoc region, before journeying inland to the fortified town of Carcassonne. Travellers are often amazed at their first sight of this medieval gem, known for its fortress - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a complete set of ramparts and a medieval keep. Travel to Albi, the birthplace of the Toulouse Lautrec. During your orientation with your Travel Director, marvel at iconic sites including the views of Toulouse Lautrec Museum and the famous awe-inspiring cathedral, before spending the remainder of the day at leisure.
Hôtel Saint Antoine, Albi.
Breakfast
Day 11: Free Time in Albi
Enjoy a full day at leisure, to relax and soak up the atmosphere of Albi.This evening savour a delicious dinner of carefully selected fresh ingredients, at a local restaurant.
Hôtel Saint Antoine, Albi.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 12: Cahors and Rocamadour Relaxed Start
Stop in Cahors, famous for its Black Wine, and see the Pont Valentré. You'll also have the opportunity to explore the open air market - full of fresh, seasonal produce and local delicacies, it's an experience to delight all of the senses. Travel to Rocamadour and enjoy free time to explore this medieval town perched on a cliff side above the Alzou River and known as a resting place for pilgrims on their way to Spain. Continue to the beautiful town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, its medieval core blessed with fine historic golden limestone houses.
La Hoirie, Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 13: Exploring the Dordogne Valley
Start the day with a morning drive into the stunning Valley of the Dordogne to visit Lascaux II, where the world-famous prehistoric cave paintings have been faithfully reproduced.Enjoy a delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner, prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with wines from the region.
La Hoirie, Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 14: Paris, The City of Light
Travel onwards to immerse yourself in the beautiful city of Paris where on arrival you are free to explore this fascinating city as you wish. As evening descends, the City of Light lives up to its name as the monuments, buildings and bridges are lit up in all their glory. For that special touch of excitement and glamour don't miss the chance to join an Optional Experience to one of the world-famous cabaret shows.
Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Breakfast
Day 15: Romantic Capital on the Seine
During your time in Paris, see the impressive Eiffel Tower, the imposing facades of the Louvre, the obelisk in the centre of the Place de la Concorde and enjoy a drive along the Champs Élysées to Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe. Today enjoy an Insight Choice experience. Choose to shop in quaint boutiques like a true Parisian for fashion, perfume or cosmetics with your Local Expert. Alternatively, join a Local Expert, an avid foodie, as you head into areas where Parisians go about their daily lives to explore small shops and sample local treats and delicacies. You are in for a memorable evening starting with a delicious Celebration Dinner at the historic restaurant La Coupole, serving delicious French cuisine and wine.
Le Méridien Etoile, Paris.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 16: Au Revoir Paris
Your departure transfer will arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 08:00 or 11:00.
Breakfast
