We'll be in France for about a week in early September and spending four nights in Paris at the end of the trip.

Thought about going somewhere interesting and never visited for the first two nights.

Dijon or Strasbourg?

We enjoy interesting architecture, museums, churches. Not really foodies or wine afficionados.

Both cities are easy to get to by rail once we arrive in Paris and we will not have a car.

Any suggestions would be appreciated and with the greatest, and I meanTHE greatest of respect, PLEASE do not reply with one of those "___________, hands down" replies...I like rationale even if I DON'T agree with it!!!!

Thanks

ttt

Both cities are attractive destinations with great architecture, churches, museums and, yet, they are totally different, especially when it comes to architecture and cityscape.

Dijon is typically French, while Strasbourg is Alsatian (which has a different flavour). Strasbourg will certainly make a greater contrast to Paris.

Maybe these two pictures tell you more than thousands words:

Strasbourg:

http://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...cochons_01.JPG

Dijon:

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier...azzo_duchi.jpg

But you can also find this http://www.photo-alsace.com/europe-photo-ref-e7365.html and this http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...ude_Dijon_.JPG in Dijon ;-).
Dijon is less touristy than Strasbourg, if you don't like crowds... (unless you come at the very end of August for the Wine fair and International folk festival)

WOW...thanks, Traveller1959 and Coco for those links and the pictures...wish we could do BOTH for a couple of days but cannot.

Hard decision coming up and I appreciate your kind help..thanks very much

I think it also depends on what sort of accommodation you are looking for. Something very central and quiet I suppose, no need of a car. I'm not sure a hotel will collect you at the train station though ;-)

Strasbourg is great, with lovely parks, bits of old miltary defensive lines, heavy bike use in the town centre and a great centre. Dijon is smaller and less so

Oh boy, this is tough call. I really love both places. Toss a coin!

To me, Dijon feels smaller, cozier. I loved the food, in general. There's excellent architecture everywhere, along with several good museums. And mustard, of course!

I just visited Strasbourg for the first time several months ago, so it's fresher in my mind. It reminded me of a mix of Paris and Amsterdam (because of the river/canals), but with thousands of half-timbered buildings (not just in the Petite France area), and a spectacular cathedral in the middle of town. Many good museums, too. I loved the Musee de l'Oeuvre (medieval art) and the newly opened Historical Museum, which gave a great overview of the history of the city/region. And the cathedral, of course.

And, because you like architecture, the Tourist Office on the square in front of the cathedral has an excellent booklet called "Strolling in Strasbourg" that has color-coded walking tours and maps of each architectural era -- medieval, renaissance, 18th-century, etc up to modern. It was excellent and I think less than 5 Euros. We used it everyday.

We stayed at the Hotel Gutenberg, right in the heart of everything, highly recommended.

I guess, to me, based on your interests...I'd pick Strasbourg. But you can't go wrong with either one, I swear.

That's a really tough choice. I just visited both (http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-france.cfm?43 ) and would be happy to go back to either.

Dijon has lots of interesting buildings and a smaller town feel. Also you can do a side trip to Beaune and maybe visit the Burgundy vineyards. But I think I have to give my vote to Strasbourg if you can only go to one because of the combination of the stunning cathedral, the pretty Petite France section (although it's very touristy) and the river (take a boat tour). You can eat well in both, although maybe better in Dijon as the local cuisine is heavier in Strasbourg.

Don't forget you can pop into the alsace wine area from Strasbourg or even Pfalz/Baden into Germany

We've visited both at least 3 different times. I'de give the edge to Dijon.

Stu Dudley

One of my great memories of my first trip to France nearly 21 years ago is the last minute decision to go to Dijon and stay a few days. Some years later, I made it to Strasbourg. For me, Dijon was what I had always imagined French life to be. Strasbourg, though truly lovely (with great Alsation wines) was more germanic, and yes, tourist driven. My travel dollars would be spent on Dijon!

It may be a good idea to check if the European parliament is sitting in Strasbourg when you plan to visit. Hotels are at a premium then. Outside of the parliamentary times there is a surplus of rooms and you can sometimes get a great deal.
Now the trams are running again getting around the city is easy.

You could always hop over to say Karlsruhe for a day if Strasbourg proves too small.

I vote for Strasbourg, but Dijon must be seen sooner or later. You will make more trips, right?

Kerouac is right! Go to Strasbourg and save Dijon for another(and longer)trip!

But Dijon has www.myhomeindijon.com, which is a good reason to go there!

Wow, tough choice! You cant make a wrong one!

We've been to both, and I think I would choose to go back to Dijon. It is truly beautiful, fantastic food, surrounded by beautiful vineyards...sigh...

Strasbourg was great, but it definitely reminded me more of a German town - food wise and archetecture wise. It would make a good contrast to Paris though...

Good luck with your decision!

Once again, my tahnks to all of you for your thougtful and very helpful responses. they are deeply appreciated.

Dukey, my husband and I just returned from our trip to France which included a 4 day stay in Strasbourg. We were there during the Parliament session so our hotel choices were very limited. We ended up at the Ibis Strasbourg Centre Ponts Couverts, next to the Musee Arte Moderne.

We arrived by TGV and found the Tourist Information office at the train station very helpful. At the TI we bought a 24 hours unlimited Tram Pass @ 5.20 euros for up to 3 people on the single pass. What a bargain!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Strasbourg. I've been to Dijon also but like Nanbug our recent trip to Strasbourg has me "singing its praises" Deborah

Dijon, hands down.