We want to take a 5 day trip outside of Paris in July (sigh.) We prefer train. Maybe two/three places. We like culture, cities and towns, history, food and fun. We could do So. Germany.
Anyone have a suggestion. Merci.

Are you flying into and out of Paris, then? Have you been to other places in France or Europe before, so looking for something new? (Just anticipating others' questions.)

Flying in and out of Paris. Have travelled around Europe but very little in France so we are open to it all. Thanks

Auxerre is an easy punt by train so pretty but on its own if you have no car

Staying on a train you could do Reims, Strasbourg Bescancon and back or

Bruges and Amsterdam

Dijon and Lyon

Dijon is marvelous city and is a two hour train ride from Paris. It has great restaurants, a wonderful covered market and interesting museums. It is a very walkable city and a car is not necessary. There is a free minibus system that covers the historical section.
From Dijon, you can take a train or bus and be in Beaune in about 30 minutes. We spent eight days there in September 2008 and enjoyed it so much that we returned for 10 days last month. We rented Coco's flat My Home In Dijon www.myhomeindijon.com. The flat is centrally located and is a joy as is Coco. Check out her website for more information about the city of Dijon and reviews of her flat. It is also listed on www.VRBO.com under #244643.

Alsace is wonderful in fall, not sure about July:

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2009/0...e-harvest.html

Germany and Switzerland are both close too if you wanted to add more.

Dijon is sweet and we loved all of Burgundy ( just 300 kilometers from Paris, but another world) and

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/1...g-but-pin.html

Route des Grands Crus!

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/1...des-grand.html

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/1...art-of-bu.html

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/1...oads-bacc.html

St Emilion is also spectacular if you are interested in exploring Bordeaux:

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2009/0...e-country.html

Provence is spectacular but I don't know how busy it is in July ( even popular spots were MUCH less crowded last year due to the recession, so that may hold true this summer as well).

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/1...llon-ochr.html

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/1...orning-pr.html

http://www.soultravelers3.com/2006/1...to-gordes.html

So many wonderful places in France it is hard to pick just one!

Thank you all.
Pick one, or even two- difficult. We are now thinking of a rental car on the west side of Paris, and heading towards Normandy and Brittany- 5 day tour. Any further suggestions?

That time of year I would take the TVG to Strasbourg and rent a car there. You can easily see Strasbourg, Colmar and several of the small towns on the wine road, as well as visit some wineries.