Sorry to be redundant, but I have been requested to re-post.
Would love any suggestions..
Have spend the time, in the past in Amsterdam, Rheims, Brugge, and Lille.
We do not have a car, so would like something within five hours (give or take) of Paris.
A town interesting enough to keep us busy.
Good food, architecture, a place to walk in the evening.
Many thanks
Bev

Maybe you'd like Lyon - it is supposed to be the 'real' cuisine capital of the world. Easy to reach by TGV from Paris.

http://www.en.lyon-france.com/
http://www.lyon.fr/vdl/sections/en/

How about London?

I had considered Lyon, but thought that it might be too large a city without a car.
I spent five days there about 20 years ago, and yes the food!
We had a car at the time.
If we do choose to go to to Lyon, which area of the city is most central?
Also the London suggestion is great, but we have another trip planned for the spring that includes London.
Thanks
bev

Hi erly,

How about Montreux on Lake Geneva? I've been there about nine times since 1995 and only rented a car once (it was a bad decision).

Here are my favorite activities from Montreux:

Montreux old town
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Lavaux
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Promenade Fleuri
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...reux_Vaud.html

Morges
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...rges_Vaud.html

Gruyeres
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR..._Fribourg.html

Saanen
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Gstaad
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...wiss_Alps.html

Have fun!

s

I am so impressed.
Had not thought of Montreux.
Will do this trip in May, as I am in Como for a week (business) again, and also a weeks vacation as a reward.
That is one plan that has been laid out in advace, so thank you so much for the suggestion, and I have printed out all of the material you were kind enough to post.

Lyon is a big city, but the central city/old town section where you'd want to be is quite walkable, it's called Presqu'isle, if I remember correctly. There's alot to see there, and would be nice for a few days. I don't know if I'd want to stay for 5 days, though.

I loved Strasbourg. Also alot to see, and from there it's easy to take daytrips by train to places like Obernai, Colmar, or Nancy.

Also, I think there's new TGV service now to Strasbourg, which cuts the train time way down.

Are you willing to fly? There are some really reasonable fares BRU to Rome on Kayak.com. (I used July dates.)

Fares to Venice weren't bad either.

I think that Strasbourg will be our destination.
It is great to have a sounding board like this site.
We had considered it several times in the past.
It is easy to reach from Bruxelles, as well.
We like the most central location.
Could anyone advise me of a hotel?
Our taste in hotels is eclectic.
In Bruxelles we stay at the Ibis because of location "Grand Place".
In Paris we stay at the Intercontinental, Rue Scribe.
Big price difference, but both are friendly (not snobby) and exceptionally located for our needs.
Also sacrificing great meals by not choosing Lyon, so any good eats in Strasbourg?

Lyon also has one of the best public transportation systems in France..metro, buses, trams, trains , even a funicular. W espent 4 full days there and had no trouble walking and using transport.

And the train into Paris is quick.

thanks Jody,
I am now re-considering Lyon.
I am a woman, so I can change my mind LOL
Same question though location of hotels.
Best for walking anywhere and most central.
Would really appreciate advice.
Many thanks
Bev

We stayed and enjoyed the Hotel La Residence, situated between Place BEllecour and Perrache rail station. From there we were able to walk across the river to Vieux Lyon and the funicular to Notre Dame de Fourviere and St Jean Cath in less than 10 minutes.

We did metro to the Croix-Rousse section to see the silk looms and taboules. About the only other time we actually needed transport was to see famous painted walls further out in the newer part of the city, which are part of the Tony Urbaine museum.

All the other places we visited were easily walked to from La Residence, on rue de V.Hugo

Hi again, erly. I think part of the fun of a trip is all the going back and forth about which cities to see, hotels, etc.! I'm probably the worst in the world about it - but I love researching, Fodor's, and all that.

Anyway, here's some more input. I stayed at the Hotel des Artistes in Lyon, which has a great location, not far from the bridge that goes over to Vieux Lyon. I even walked there from the train station, but don't know if I'd do that again! I had heard about the Artistes on here and from some guidebooks. At first, I was disappointed with the room, and the reception people were quite aloof. I was solo, and finding a place to put my suitcase in the room was an effort! Maybe they have bigger rooms, which I would certainly want for 2 people. I liked the place alot better by the time I left and the reception was nicer, too. Even tho the location was perfect, I think next time, I might choose La Residence. I had a very good dinner at Les Adrets in Vieux Lyon, a good dinner (reasonable) at Le Comptoir des Marroniers, one of Jean Paul Lacombes bistrots. And a terrible dinner at Le Merciere on Rue Merciere. It seemed to be a very popular, crowded place, but my lamb was so tough it was unedible. However, the French people sitting next to me gobbled it up with gusto!

In Strasbourg, I stayed at Hotel de l'Europe, on the edge of La Petite France old section. An easy walk to the train station, cathedral and the museums. I liked that hotel very much - was there 3 nights. There are good restaurants in Strasbourg, too, although being solo, I didn't try the best ones.

I visited these two cities on the same trip, starting out in Strasbourg, where I rented the car to drive around Alsace. I ended up in Lyon (training there from Colmar). I'm not exactly sure why, but I preferred Strasbourg. I would definitely prefer to spend 5 days there than in Lyon - and branch out a little to see Alsace. Which as I said before, you could do on short train rides.

You could do a couple days in Strasbourg *and* a couple days in Lyon...