France is so big - you could actually make it simpler by say doing part of France and part of tiny Switzerland.

Paris - Avignon area - Burgundy - Chamonix - into Switzerland to Interlaken area and fly out of Zurich.

Hi,

Update:
We had plans to visit France this sep/oct and dates kept changing because of husband's urgent work issues. Ultimately we got our itinerary in order (thanks to kind Fodorites' help) but couldn't get slots for visa interview at the French consulate in NYC (unavailable until end oct). In fact, when we looked for visa application interview slots in other schengen countries' consulates in NYC, we couldn't find an appointment in any consulate except Greece. So Greece it is. Hopefully, we get our visa approved (this Monday when we get the passports back).

Both of us have always wanted to go to Greece some day but it wasn't in the immediate list. Anyway it looks like we are heading there in less than ten days! Well, man proposes, God disposes! It's the fourth time my husband and I planned and almost couldn't visit Paris! Well, France will just have to wait!

I'm confused - you don't need a visa to visit Schengen countries if you are American and are only visiting for a few weeks...???

Why did you need a visa?

Fuzzbucket and StCirq, I'm not am American citizen. I need the visa :(
The lesser mortals need to plan in advance and seek visa appointments and be constrained each time we even wish to visit most countries in the world. #truestory

That makes more sense, then!
Unfortunately, some of us "lesser mortals" have to repeat this exercise every year that we live here...