How many kids do you know who've seen fields that are completely purple? Or kayaked under a Roman aqueduct? Or listened to monks chanting in an ancient abbey? Your family will be the exception by the end of this amazing family vacation in France. Provence is perfect for a mellow family vacation. There are good walks…amazing countryside hotel…and memorable food. (Who knew the French ate pizza?). The adults will be welcomed to one of the fine vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. We’ve arranged a provençal cooking lesson for those so inclined. And everyone enjoys exploring the bories, weird circular stone huts that no one can explain. We love bringing families to this region because it’s unique enough for everyone to feel far from home…but so easy that even the least-seasoned traveler has fun.

We meet in Avignon for a kid-friendly stroll to the awesome 14th century Papal Palace, then head for our countryside hotel (6 nights). While the adults explore the colorful market and take an easy walk to Séguret, the kids dig in to making pottery at a nearby village. Later, while you go wine tasting in Châteauneauf-du-Pape, our guides supervise the younger set as they climb around castle ruins. A friend invites us into her kitchen for a lesson in provençal cooking…and a chance to lunch on the results. Later, we all enjoy a walk through apricot groves past a monastery where we hear monks chanting.

We'll stroll to the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct that soars overhead as the start of a family kayaking excursion. Near Lourmarin, we walk among lavender fields to Sénanque Abbey, where your budding Impressionists present you with paintings they created this morning. Among other family-friendly activities we'll see how olives are harvested and crushed…and walk in Cezanne's footsteps through Aix-en-Provence.