Are you dreaming of introducing your children to the magic of Paris and the fairy-tale châteaux of the Loire Valley without any of the planning stress? This fully customizable 8-day journey brings the very best of France to life through the eyes of your children. Guided by private, family-focused experts and escorted by a private driver, your family will enjoy a perfectly paced itinerary: a treasure hunt at the Louvre, a private picnic cruise on the Seine, a hands-on macaron baking class, and a scenic bicycle ride along the riverbanks of the Loire.
It is the ultimate way to share the history and art de vivre of France with your loved ones, at a rhythm tailored entirely to your children with attentive, seamless service from start to finish.
Your private driver greets you at the airport arrivals gate and escorts your family to your charming boutique hotel in the heart of Paris. Settle into your guaranteed connecting rooms or spacious family suite. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore the local neighborhood, and enjoy your evening with our curated recommendations for nearby kid-friendly bistros.
Morning: Meet your fluent English-speaking private guide for an engaging walking tour of the historic Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis. Step inside the Sainte-Chapelle to marvel at its dazzling, light-filled stained glass, then view the stunning facade of Notre-Dame as your guide brings the city’s medieval history alive with stories that captivate both kids and adults.
Afternoon: Ready for a climb? Head up the Towers of Notre-Dame! Scale the 400 stone steps to be rewarded with a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of the Paris skyline and a close-up look at the legendary carved gargoyles keeping watch over the city.
Evening: Dinner and the rest of the day are at leisure, guided by our curated list of family-approved addresses.
Morning: Head to the Louvre for an interactive private treasure hunt. Your children will go on a quest through ancient civilizations, cracking riddles to discover the stories behind powerful kings, clever goddesses, and the enigmatic smile of the Mona Lisa.
Midday: Walk together to the nearby Pont des Arts to board your private boat for a 1.5-hour cruise on the Seine. Enjoy a classic French picnic lunch while your skipper shares local secrets about the passing monuments.
Afternoon: The rest of the day is yours to enjoy. The adjacent Tuileries Gardens offer excellent playgrounds and traditional carousels for the children to unwind.
Morning: Head to the ultimate Parisian icon. With reserved tickets in hand, you will enjoy easy access as you ascend to the very summit of the Eiffel Tower. At 276 meters (905 feet) above the city, the kids can have fun spotting the landmarks they’ve already discovered.
Afternoon: Step into a Parisian kitchen for a private pastry masterclass. A professional chef will teach your family the delicate art of making colorful French macarons. The class ends with a delicious tasting of your creations paired with thick, gourmet hot chocolate.
Morning: Your private driver transfers you to the station, where you board the TGV high-speed train for a comfortable, scenic 2-hour ride into the Loire Valley. Upon arrival in Amboise, check into your handpicked family hotel, featuring spacious rooms, a beautiful garden, and a heated pool. Afternoon: Explore Amboise at leisure. Visit the Royal Château overlooking the river, then head to Clos Lucé, the final home of Leonardo da Vinci. This interactive estate is a paradise for kids, featuring hands-on, life-sized models of the master’s incredible inventions scattered throughout the wooded park.
Morning: Meet your private cycling guide for a morning ride along the Loire à Vélo. Your guide customizes the route to your children’s ages, leading you down flat, dedicated, and completely secure paths through the rolling countryside. Afternoon: Discover the Château de Chenonceau, elegantly arched directly over the River Cher. Children love exploring the historic kitchens built directly into the bridge piers and getting lost in the estate’s traditional hedge labyrinth. Evening: Return to your hotel for a relaxing swim in the pool before dinner.
Full Day: Join your private driver and guide in a spacious luxury van for an excursion to two spectacular estates.
Morning: Visit the Château de Cheverny, a beautifully furnished, family-owned castle that served as the architectural inspiration for Moulinsart castle in the famous Tintin comic books. Afternoon: Explore the Château de Chambord, the largest and most majestic palace in the valley. Your family-focused guide will lead you straight to the famous double-helix staircase—attributed to Leonardo da Vinci—where two people can ascend and descend simultaneously without ever crossing paths. Head up to the roof terrace to marvel at the forest of sculpted chimneys.
Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel for a final swim or a peaceful stroll through the historic streets of Amboise. Your private driver will pick you up from the hotel and provide a smooth transfer back to the train station or airport for your onward journey.
Customizable itinerary
This sample itinerary is designed to inspire you. It is fully customizable with your travel advisor.
Family vacations in France
My family would definitely call this trip “the best” we have ever taken. Working with this agent was a pleasure from start to finish. She listened to what we were looking for and made great recommendations from start to finish. The fact that she met us in Paris upon arrival said a great deal about her and her company. She understood that this was a big trip for our family and she made sure that every detail was taken care of. I would not hesitate to refer this agent to anyone that was considering a trip to France.
Nidhi P.
Our family had a great trip using Paris-Toujours! Laurence, who we met on our first day, really made things so easy for us and we owe the success of our trip completely to her. She truly listened to us about what we wanted and created a trip itinerary with our priorities and budget in mind. When we did have one minor issue, she was incredibly responsive and solved our problem personally. The local people she connected us with (i.e. drivers and tour guides) were incredibly reliable, generous with their time, and informative. I would not hesitate to use this company again. Working with Laurence helped our family to realize how valuable using a small, local business to plan trips abroad can be.
This program is ideal for children aged 6 to 16. We custom-tailor the activities to your family’s dynamic: younger kids are enchanted by the treasure hunt and the castles, while teenagers thoroughly enjoy the cycling tour and the architectural riddles of Chambord.
Not at all. Our private guides specialize in young audiences and keep tours to an engaging 1.5 to 2 hours maximum. They focus on interactive storytelling, interactive games, and fun legends rather than dry lists of dates.
The 400 steps do require some physical effort, so we generally recommend it for children aged 7-8 and up. If you are traveling with toddlers, your travel coordinator can seamlessly swap this for a stroller-friendly hidden gems walk.
It is incredibly easy and flat. The Loire à Vélo trail is entirely secure, paved, and separated from car traffic. We provide perfectly sized bikes, helmets, and can arrange for child seats, tag-alongs, or trailers depending on the age of your children.
Absolutely. This journey is fully customizable. If your children love wildlife, we can add a day at the renowned Beauval Zooparc. If they are fascinated by knights, we can adjust our castle tours to focus on medieval armor and fortresses. Just share their interests with us!
