Thinking of visiting a friend for a couple of days in Geneva early November. Would like to combine that with ~7 nights elsewhere. I know it will be cool, so don't want to go in colder direction. Want something that's easy flight or train ride from Geneva, and then end up in a city easy to fly back to NYC from.

Some ideas:
1. Train to Lyon > train/fly to Paris* > fly home
2. Fly to Valencia > train/fly to Madrid* > fly home
3. Fly to Paris (last time was 20ish years ago with kids, so wouldn't mind exploring again without kids in tow)
4. Fly to Venice* (I know it's acqua alta season so could be an issue) > Train to Verona and/or Bergamo > Train to Milan* > fly home
5. Fly to Nice, do south of france area (not that familiar so need to do homework) > fly to Paris > Fly home
6. open for suggestions!

Looking for charming, picturesque towns/cities that are walkable. Preferably most time spent in place we haven't been (Paris is exception). Would like some museums and/or historic sites. "*" indicates we've been there so only need a night or 2.

We've been to some of the city possibilities (Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Bologna, Malaga, Seville, Athens, Prague, Budapest, Berlin, Lisbon, Porto), would prefer something different.

Affer a bit more research, I would change option #4 to train directly to Verona. There is one in the early morning. We'd skip Venice altogether, but maybe add Bergamo.

2. Fly to Valencia > hi-speed train to Madrid* > fly home

What about taking the train to Avignon, stopover for 1 night and then take the train to Nice . Use Nice as your base to explore the Cote D’Azur by bus/train. If you like markets go to either Ventimiglia or San Remo.. Fly back from Nice.

Another option could be to explore the Burgundy wine area. Take the train to Macon, stopover 1 night and then go onto Beaune or Dijon. You can then fly back from either Paris or Lyon.
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I'm leaning towards the France options, since I have spent much more time exploring Spain and Italy (both of which I love). I would like to explore France more, and this is a good opportunity. I will most likely fly home from Paris. I'm using miles, and that's what's available. Will explore uktravelerlover's suggestions. Since I will only have about 7 nights I know the possibilities are limited.

I just did a quick look at trains from Geneva to Avignon. There are no direct trains. They change at Lyon. I think option #1 is probably the most straightforward, and best use of a week (We'd split time between Lyon and Paris). If there's something else with direct service from Geneva that you can think of, please let me know.

Easyjet has prettty cheap fares from Geneva to Nice. We did this last year, and leaving on the French side of the Geneva airport made the whole process even easier. Enjoy your trip!

Avignon
Arles
Nimes
by train through Lyon

or train to Auxerre, Chablis, Beaune

or train to Grenoble

We decided Geneva (2 nights visiting with friends) > train to Lyon (3 nights) > train to Paris (3 nights). Already booked our open jaw with miles.

Looking at Hôtel Vaubecour in Lyon and Hotel Signature Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris.

In Lyon, considering a food and/or wine tour, also an old city/history walking tour. In Paris, we have both been more than once before and have seen the major sights (some also more than once). The 2 main things we'd like to see are l'orangerie (it was closed for renovations last time we were there), probably with a guided tour and the Rodin museum (never been). The hotel seems to be roughly in the middle of these sights, so can easily walk to either.

Any other thoughts, suggestions or recommendations are appreciated as far as things to do/places to eat in Lyon and Paris. I know the food is great in both places so looking forward to some nice meals.