Hello. I'm trying to figure out how to go from Paris, to Dijon, to Locarno without traveling more than 4 hours at a time. To do this, I can go from Dijon to Brig (4 hours) but is there anything to this city? I've never heard of it, but if it si a nice place for us to visit for a day that would be great. That seems the only way to break up our trip. So.... anyone ever been to Brig? (any other suggestions I haven't thought of welcome as well!)

Brig is an OK city, nothing spectacular but like all Swiss cities I've been too very pleasant. Vest-pocket old town around an old palace. Surrounded by mountains, it's a transit point for road and rail as the Simplon tunnels to Italy start here. Rail buffs will love it, all kinds of trains coming and going. I stayed here once - a nice regional town with lots of accommodations because of its transit status.

Oh good! Sounds like it will be a decent place to chill out and take a break in. I couldn't seem to find any other cities on the way to Locarno that Dijon goes directly to. Thanks for your help!

I have changed trains in Brig more than a few times(on the way to Zermatt, Geneva, Interlaken, etc) but never stayed there. As PalQ said it's a transit town and people often don't think of staying there. A friend of mine, however, on his way to Zermatt, somehow chose to stay there overnight and was pleasantly surpised. He said the old town of Brig was really nice. So at least just for a day or a night it sounds alright.

Brig is actually a decent place, though most people know it as the place to change trains for Zermatt!
check out www.isyours.com/e/guide/valais/brig.html

or brig.ch click on "weiter" on the bottom left, then click on "e" at the top right for english to learn more about what this town offers. Have fun!

That "palace" referred to above is the Stockalper Schloss which is a fairly large former residence built by the man who controlled the sal trade over the Simplon Pass. The town itself isn't all that large and is about an hour by rail from Zermatt. The trip up to Zermatt is pretty spectacular in and of itself once you get done with Brig.

as a follow-on..if (and especially) you are traveling on a pass and would like a really GREAT Italian meal, hop the train through the tunnel down to Domodossola (32 minutes South) and consider eating at the Restaurant Eurossola in the hotel directly across from the rail station.

Did this in April and I have to say it is one of the VERY BEST Italian meals I have ever had anywhere.

As for hotels in Brig (in case you decide to stay there) check out the Victoria or the more budget but very good Europa.

The views of Aletsch Glacier from the mountain resort village of Bettmeralp just up the road from Brig are very worthwhile. Have a peak...http://www.bettmeralp.ch/e/