Um - everyplace has villages and cafes.

You really need to provide more info.

One note is that Switz is going to be more expensive - probably a lot more expensive.

Apples and oranges.

France. More interesting, more economical, cuter, more charming.

Vote for southern France because of:
- Lavender fields blooming in June around Provence
- Weather is warmer there, yet not too warm that time of year
- Mediterranean beaches, French food, wineries and patisseries, and the most delicious fruits in all of Europe.

If you base yourself in Nice you can visit tons of other small towns , on local bus or train, bus was 1 euro to Monaco, and we stopped at Eze sur Mer.You could visit Eze or Villefranche , or Cannes or Antibes ,, or even go up to mountains.. there are so many choices.

I do love Switzerland but its like twice the cost of everything, like a Big Mac 7 dollars ,, ( not that you would want one, just saying even cheaping out in Switzerland is not possible,lol )

South of France

The south of France is the place to go. The sites, food, wine and people are wonderful. Prices are cheaper and I did all of my travel via train. So easy and stress free. You could also rent a car and stop and go as you want. Aix-en Provence, Avignon, Montpieler, and if you start from Paris take the train to Bordeaux first and then Avignon, Aix and Montpieler. The Lavender will be in bloom i this part of France and the fields of flowers are so beautiful.

<<if you start from Paris take the train to Bordeaux first and then Avignon, Aix and Montpieler>> (you mean Montpellier, I assume)

HUH? Why would you do that? The TGV zooms straight from Paris, and even CDG, to Avignon.

Judging by the other thread the OP started a couple of days ago, she wants to go to Provence. But now maybe she doesn't...

It's the wine and food of Bodeaux that makes the trip to Bordeaux worth a side trip. Thanks for the spelling correction teacher StCirq?

Excuse me teacher I forgot the r?

Huh? again.

You're welcome. Bordeaux is a relatively boring French city. Someone who wants to visit Provence has no interest, and shouldn't, in visiting Bordeaux. It's nowhere near Provence and wouldn't normally, and rightly so, be on a first-timer's list of places to go in France.

Your observations are less than helpful. Good that you're interested in France, but not good that you're relatively inexperienced.

Provence, not only because of it's beauty and history, but because the people are so much friendlier.

Agreed Bordeaux is a bore *sorry couldn't resist*
Switzerland while magnificent is colder both in temperature and attitude, people are friendly but it's not going to grab your soul like the south of France.
TGV to Avignon stay a couple days. One of my favorite memories was driving to Pont du Gard in the evening after the tourists had left and going for a swim under the aqueduct. The asylum at Saint Remy is well worth a stop.
Cassis, Carcassone, Aix, Arles, Nice, Monaco, Cannes, the south offers so much.
I would take a pass on Marseilles it's a dump and Nimes offers little beyond the coliseum.

Cheers

Thank you for your insights.

Is Monaco a skip. Or should I club it with Eze as a day trip from Nice? The comments above have siad that it is nothing besides a concerete jungle. And we are not interested in gambling.

We've already told you numerous times that Monaco is a skip. But it's your trip. Do as you wish. You have only a few days. It would be a waste to visit Monaco.