kelbo

Hello Everyone,

Still in the planning stages of our 2 month trip to France this Summer. We have two nights to either spend in Lyon or Vienne and I have never been to either town. I am interested in the gastronomy of Lyon and the Jazz Festival in the Roman ampitheater in Vienne. Any recommendations on which town would be a better base and any hotel/b&b recs?

The second part of my question is that we will have a car with us and after we leave the Lyon area we will be going to Nice for a week and were planning on dropping off the car there. Should we drive to Nice from Lyon or take the train? We will be there in Mid July.

Thanks ! Kelly

FrenchMystiqueTours

The train will get you from Lyon to Nice faster than driving. If you buy your train tickets 3 months in advance then two 2nd class train tickets (assuming you are a couple) should also be cheaper than the cost of fuel and tolls. I've never been to Lyon though I've always wanted to go and it is the gastronomic capital of France and there is lots to see and do there. I did spend a night in Vienne last summer and liked it very much but it has less to see and do than Lyon, though the amphitheater and other Roman ruins were great. There is no right or wrong answer to that question and I think it's one that only you can answer. For a two night stay I might lean towards Lyon but that's just me.

dfourh

Vienne is mild and walkable with a few nice spots. It is an easy place to be, but by no means overwhelming. Casual and relaxing.

Lyon is a remarkably relaxing city for its size, but sleek, vibrant, classy, with lots of style and flavor, all in still an understated way. The indoor market is a wonder of incredible substances. I don't know about parking, though.

Vive la difference!

dfourh

More: as driving Lyon-Nice goes, there are two options. One is the motorway, which is something efficient, and something you will easily survive.

The alternative is to use the car to venture off the motorway.

The former gets you there, the latter gets you somewhere interesting, if you have the time. It all depends on your schedule and your priorities.

kelbo

another thought is to perhaps drop Lyon from the itinerary and stay an extra two nights in the Burgundy region ( we are already staying 4 nights there)...we are really trying to minimize 2-3 night stays and do full weeks in different areas but it is so hard with even two full months to explore France!

kelbo

It doesn't look like there is a direct train from Lyon to Nice which makes the train option much less appealing, or am I missing something? Its Lyon to Marseille and then to Nice.

FrenchMystiqueTours

You must be using the RailEurope website to check train schedules. Avoid this website as it has higher prices and doesn't show all the trains. There are direct trains between Lyon and Nice (a few each day). Train schedules aren't available more than 3 months in advance. You should book your tickets 3 months in advance for the cheapest prices. Use www.capitainetrain.com.

Whether you should extend your stay in Burgundy or go to Lyon is a personal choice so no right or wrong answer to that question. Only opinions.

kelbo

thank you French Mystique...very helpful.

StCirq

There are definitely trains from Lyon to Nice, and it would be far preferable to driving. Don't ever use Rail Europe!

FrenchMystiqueTours

Enjoy your vacation kelbo, wherever you stay.

ParisAmsterdam

Drive. There is much of interest. Try heading to Grenoble then
follow the Route Napoleon down to the coast.

kelbo

Checking online since I am three months away from my trip date and there isn't one direct train from Lyon to Nice. What am I doing wrong?