2 weeks in Eastern France
 

Please can we have advice planning a trip to Eastern France this May.
We are 2 active 70 year olds and we would like to explore Eastern France. We will be flying to an airport from Spain but which one will depend where we start.
We are interested in Burgundy, Annecy and Alsace but 2 areas will be fine. We are flexible. We do not want to rush. We will use trains and rental cars where appropriate.
We need to end up in Paris where we depart from. We have been to Paris before so a few days there will be sufficient.
So, should we choose one base in each area eg Beaune for Burgundy?
We like exploring, hiking, biking, wine and food, history, architecture, a variety of activities at a relaxed tempo.
We would appreciated advice to get a workable plan in place. Thank you.

FWIW, I thought Annecy was beautiful. After less than 24 hours, I was bored.

If you haven’t already consulted it, the Michelin Green Guide for this area is outstanding.

The walking the hills above the Alsace vinyards is wonderful. Access by train is reasonable and by bus but these trips tend to be timed for commuters rather than through the day. I would recommend this area as long as it is not too hot, but that is also true of Burgundy.

Virtually every hotel/BnB/Air BnB will have books of local walks. https://www.visit.alsace/ is the place to start.

Strasbourg is a pretty city to visit but the real gems are in the countryside

Just sharing a broad outline of our previous itinerary in Eastern France, if helpful
- flew into Paris, train to Reims, followed by Strasbourg. Picked up a car after few days there
- drove the Alsace wine route (breaking journey in Colmar)
-drove through the Jura to Beaune (an ideal base to explore Burgundy)
- reurned car and finished in Lyon (after a weekend in Annecy), TGV to Paris for flight home

We had about 3 weeks, you could recalibrate based on your interests and available time.

I loved Eastern France, spent 32 days there on a trip. Here’s a link to my pictures. If you click on the pic to expand it then scroll down, many pics have an explanation in the Other field.

https://goo.gl/photos/ow3aLU7BH4i3HHx6A

If you’d like to see my itinerary, send me a DM and I’ll send it to you.

Happy trip planning!

I couldn't agree more. Having lived in Annecy for years, it’s undeniably a "postcard" town, but it can feel a bit staged and crowded; once you’ve walked the canals and seen the lake, you’ve essentially seen it all.

For a true mountain experience, head to Briançon. It’s my hometown - the place of my roots for 40 years - and it’s much higher, sunnier, and wilder than Annecy. Sitting at the crossroads of the high Alps, Italy, and Provence, you get a unique mix of high-altitude landscapes and Mediterranean sun, with a rich heritage and gastronomy that reflect all three influences. It’s where the Alps finally feel authentic and vast. In my eyes, Annecy looks quite surface-level in comparison.

I am yet another who was not thrilled with Annecy aside for some lovely views.

I am guessing you have no interest in WWI history... that to me is Eastern France.

We are interested in Burgundy, Annecy and Alsace but 2 areas will be fine.

Between Burgundy and Annecy you have the Jura area with interesting scenery and historical sites:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsjrrwSv6

Most of the pictures are geotagged which can help in planning an itinerary.

Wow! Thanks Mountain-Tom. Briancon looks amazing. Do I need a car there?

Thanks for all the comments. Much to take in

Briancon is a good visit with a massive fortress at one end, there is also a lovely modern chapel to the north in a valley of thee Vosge.

The Jura has exceptional walking (into Switzerland as well) and I learnt to ski-de-fond up there. Lots of hard cheese, floral hillsides leading all the way down to Mont Blanc. Wine is interesting but apart from two weird ones, not special (Vin de Paille and Jaune)

Another vote for the Jura.

We stayed a few days here: Gîte - Chambre d'hôte au coeur du JURA chez KARINE & ROLAND in Le Petit Maclu. Lovely people, wonderful breakfast, but maybe a bit isolated for you. Cows, with cowbells, go past twice a day to be milked to make Comte.
You need a car for Jura, but there are lovely walks to be made.

Sorry, been traveling all day, Besancon is a good visit, no idea where Briancon is

The view from the Ballon d'Alsace meadow south towards the Alps and the Jura is wonderful.

Chapel https://religiana.com/notre-dame-du-haut

South-east of Grenoble in Hautes Alpes.
Passed through in the campervan but didn't stop. Parking was too tricky in the van.

A car might be more efficient to get there, but once there no car is needed for the town itself.

https://flic.kr/p/279HKws

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Annecy/Brian%C3%A7on

That’s the million-dollar question for the French Alps!

The short answer is: Yes, it’s doable, but it changes the experience. If you stick to the train, you can reach Briançon (the night train from Paris is a classic, though a bit of an adventure, and the line from Marseille is scenic but slow). Once in town, Briançon itself is wonderful to explore on foot and the city is fantastic. However, you’ll be "mountain-bound" and this will not take more than 2 days I think. You will miss the most silent, breathtaking spots, and many experiences, not far at all, but requiring a car.

If you want to experience the Alps like a local, a car is almost essential to reach the trailheads and those authentic places that make the region so special. My advice: take the train to Oulx (in Italy - Briançon is on the border, 40min from Oulx station) or Briançon, but rent a car locally for at least 2 or 3 days to explore the area. It truly changes the trip from a "stay" to an "adventure". Or even rent a car in Lyon or Marseille: you only have a 2,5 to 3h drive to Briançon, and the road is incredible. You can even enjoy a mini road-trip from Burgundy, Annecy or in Provence with Briançon as one of the main stops.

If you want more, feel free to reach out. I will be happy to help you plan and refine a stay in this area, which is my country.

(bookmarks then rushes to research Briancon)

OP Kiwi,
Tom's beloved Briancon area is also described in the Michelin 'Sud Alps' book. Fwiw, it gives top/red rating to a pair of lakes NW of Briancon--Lac Noir and Lac Lerie.
Good luck with your planning!
I am done. the homework

Good recommendation. Those lakes are beautiful. However, they are a bit further from Briançon (1h drive to the start) and you can find other incredible lakes much closer to the city.
Anyway, beyond the Michelin, if you look for insider recommendations, don't hesitate.

I find Burgundy kind of boring if you are not a wine fanatic, but Alsace and Lorraine are great. In Lorraine, you shouldn't miss Nancy and Metz, both just 1h30 from Paris by TGV.