Paris Family Adventure

Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel, located on the Right Bank near the Palais Garnier. Gather with fellow travelers for a welcome drink, then take a guided stroll through the neighborhood, followed by dinner back at the hotel.

Begin the day with a guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay, housed in a magnificent Beaux-Arts railway station and containing the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world. Enjoy lunch together at a classic Parisian bistro, then head to Saint-Germain-des-Prés for a walking tour of this quarter that was the heart of the city’s intellectual life in the 1950’s. End at Luxemburg Gardens, the former playground of Marie de Médicis. Parents tour the garden while Young Explorers battle it out in an epic game of Capture the Flag. This evening is at leisure.

This morning, journey outside the city to the baroque Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte. Its combination of architecture, interior and landscape design marked the beginning of the "Louis XIV style" and served as inspiration for the Palace of Versailles. Adults indulge in a gastronomic lunch and wine tasting while kids enjoy a fun lunch in their Young Explorer groups. This afternoon, equipped with headlamps and wader boots, young explorers embark on a series of tests of agility and logic along the underground river that flows beneath the estate. End the day with an exciting game of Family Olympics, then return to the hotel for dinner on our own.

Spend the morning walking around Montmartre, which served as home to artists such as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec. Climb to the hilltop Basilica of Sacré Coeur to capture some of the best views of Paris. This evening, we have the Louvre to ourselves for a private after-hours tour. Intimately explore the museum’s permanent collection, which covers Western art from the medieval period to 1848, formative works from the civilizations of the ancient world, and masterpieces of Islamic art. What a treat!

Today, we take a tour of the Musée des Arts et Métiers, a museum of science and technology with a unique collection of historical artifacts and inventions sure to bring out the curious kid in everyone! Tuck into lunch at nearby Ambassade d’Auvergne, a traditional French country restaurant and home of the best aligot (cheesy mashed potatoes) and chocolate mousse in Paris! This afternoon, take a walking tour of the Marais to glimpse hidden gardens and visit 17th-century architectural stunners such as Place des Vosges, Hotel de Sully, and the home of Victor Hugo. Visit Les Petits Pots d'Alice—a workshop making tea-based jellies staffed by young adults with disabilities. Time permitting, make a coffee stop at Mon Café Marais, staffed by people living with autism. After dinner later this evening, meet up in the Young Explorer “club” for some lively Disco Bingo!

Travel outside of Paris today for a visit to the Château de Chantilly, created by the son of the last King of France to house his countless masterpieces and precious manuscripts, considered the greatest collection of its time. Aboard a petite train, explore the expansive grounds of André Le Nôtre, the French landscape architect who designed the gardens at Versailles and Vaux le Vicomte! For lunch, dine on French cuisine in the estate’s stylish restaurant. Then, enjoy an equestrian demonstration at the Great Stables, a veritable palace for horses whose French riding tradition has been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Next, learn how to make legendary Chantilly cream! Travel back to Paris for an evening at leisure.

Our lecture program continues this morning, while young explorers meet and prepare for the afternoon’s Great Museum Race. Families vie for the coveted gold medal by gathering points along a route that includes the Musée de l'Armée, the Musée du Quai Branly, and other fun spots. Working off a list of masterpieces, families take creative selfie-shots, make drawings, and answer trivia questions to earn points. The race ends at the Arc de Triomphe, where we celebrate the winner and then venture to the terrace to take in 360° views of the city.

Meet up for a guided stroll through central Paris, passing the 19th-century Palais Garnier, Place Vendome, and Tuileries Garden. End at the Musée de l'Orangerie for a guided tour of the many impressionist and post-impressionist works, including eight spectacular floor-to-ceiling Water Lilies murals by Claude Monet. The afternoon is free for independent exploration. This evening, we celebrate Bastille Day with a sparkling farewell dinner on board our private river yacht on the Seine, taking in a glittering Eiffel Tower and the riverbanks beneath the majestic display of fireworks. Toast the end of our Parisian adventure and the new friends we’ve made.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch flights returning home.