Hi, I'm 25 years old and I'm first time travelling to Europe with my family in October. We are arriving in Paris, then travelling to Italy by car. Should we choose Lyon or Geneve when travelling to Italy?
Thanks!

Does anybody have any tip? If I have to pick one city: Lyon or Geneve. Which should I choose? Thanks

Dudi, Not sure what your question is. You will be driving from Paris to Italy and you are looking for a good first city to stop in?

Lyon is 2 hours from Paris by TGV, maybe 6 hours by car (if memory serves me). I'm not sure that either Lyon or Geneva is the quickest route to Italy. Maybe Bern or Interlakken?

However, both are beautiful cities. Lyon has a fantastic old town and great food and is probably significantly cheaper than Geneva. Geneva is a great world city on a gorgeous lake and can be very busy and expensive.

Thanks, grasshopper! To tell you the truth, we are going to Italy but with a first stop on Nice and Monaco and tha's why we are looking for which city to stay. We had friends advice for both cities...

I have not been to Geneva, but spent a couple of nights in Lyon on our way to Provence and Spain.
Lyon is a nice town, especially old Lyon, great food, and with enough to do and see for a couple of days.

By driving through Switzerland, you will be required to pay a substantial amount for road tax in order to bring your car (rental?) in.

Also, your decision should take into consideration as to which part of Italy you intend to go to.

If your next stop is Nice, I would opt for Lyon. It's a really great place. Probably my favorite place in France.

If money matters I'd pick Lyon.

Geneva isn't famous for bargain lodging.

Thanks for the all replies! I think I'll pick Lyon!

ok, I'll stick up for Geneva! I spent 2 weeks there in Oct last year and it is gorgeous! Fantastic food, museums, on the water of Lake Geneve, mountains, etc. It is a bit expensive but for a night or 2?? Now is also when I say I haven't been to Lyon but did go to Annecy for a day and that is beautiful also! 1 1/2 hours from Geneva. Definatley worth a drive thru to explore the old town.

Hey Dudi,

I'm just back in the States after two years of living in Geneva, and I know both cities well. As lovely as Geneva is, I'd probably give Lyon the nod for your visit. Geneva is a little gem on a beautiful lake (with nice mountain views when the weather cooperates), but as noted previously, it's ludicrously expensive. Add to that that there's relatively little to do and the food is just OK, and I'd be very much inclined towards Lyon. Lyon is a great city - particulary the Old Town - with lots of interesting sites, and the food is outstanding. I think it would be a much more interesting stop for you.

If you're looking for a more rustic break in your city tour, I'd opt for Annecy. It's got the beautiful lake like Geneva, but is a little medieval paradise.

You can't really go wrong with any of them, however. Enjoy! Ken

ken and sormygirl, thanks for the advice. Very ggod report and I'll also think about Annecy! Really liked waht you both wrote! Thanks...

I am familiar with the area but stay outside Geneva in the smaller towns of Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux (along the lake ~1 hour away). It is an absolutely gorgeous region. Having said that... Geneva itself is a very large urban city, so it wouldn't be my choice for passing thru or a few days casual visit.

A small consideration but remember in Switzerland you'll need CHF (Swiss Franc) while France and Italy use the Euro.

Hi, Dudi,

I'd probably pick Geneva or, if you want a touch of France near Geneva, stay in Annecy or Talloires on Lake Annecy (45 minute drive to Geneva, almost all expressway)

I was at Lake Annecy two years ago at the end of September and it was fantastic. If you are going early October, I'd guess it would be wonderful.

Have a great trip.

John H.