Hi,
We're planning 5 weeks in Europe this summer with our family (we have two boys ages 12 and 14 - seasoned and enthusiastic travellers!). I've got it all planned, except for 10 days between Lyon and The Hague. We'll be ready to leave France at that point (and ditch the car) and I thought I'd cast the net to see what suggestions this community can give me! I see so many great ideas on this forum. Hitting a great car manufacturing plant on the way would thrill the boys. I told them for every car tour we do I get to take them to an art gallery 
The family has a wide range of interests - we're overwhelmed by the possibilities!
It will be in mid-July (unfortunate, I know!)
Thanks in advance!
Lyon to The Hague
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From Lyon you might want to travel in the Jura and Alsace, then on to Nancy and return the car in Lille. If the boys are interested in fortifications, Belfort should be a stop, and Lille still has the Vauban fortifications. Other places to see within that general area: Ronchamp, the W.W.I battle sites, Troyes, Burgundy towns.
Browsing through these pictures might give you some ideas, but I strongly suggest a guidebook such as the Michelin Green Guide to plan out an itinerary. I believe that there is a Peugeot plant in Sochaux.
I believe you can take a tour of the Porsche factory near Stuttgart, but don't know if that's too out of the way for you.
If you're planning to ditch the car how do you plan to travel? If by train, then Brussels and Rotterdam are natural stops along the way...
Correction: browsing through these pictures ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/collections/72157624827267374/
Thanks Michael, your photos are beautiful!
I think we're leaning towards heading up through Germany though.
sf7307 - no, Stuttgart isn't out of the question, I was wondering about that Porsche factory myself.
Loco2com - yes, by train I imagine.
Thanks everyone!