Hi there,
I've enjoyed reading the posts on lovely towns in France. I am planning a trip in June with a group of friends to Paris (we will all be attending a salsa "congress" - 3 days of dancing the night away w/ people from around the world!). After our stay in Paris (about 4 days), it is likely that our little group will break up. I am planning to go for a total of 2 weeks, ending in Zurich where I have a friend. Does anyone have thoughts on an itinerary for a woman, early 30s, travelling alone, starting in Paris and ending in Zurich? I like a mix of city & country, sightseeing and museums, but obviously have safety concerns as well. I'm also not a 5 star traveller - I prefer to spend $ on doing rather than where I'm sleeping (though, of course cleanliness and the basics should be available). Where would you go?? I've been to some towns in the south of France (Nice, Avignon, Marseille, Aix en Provence), and would like to go somewhere new. Thanks in advance for any ideas you might have!

Hi RobinBinNYC,

Well, I'm a huge fan of Switzerland, so personally, I'd spend the whole time there!

With your preferences, I would probably take the train to Basel (about 5h30 with 0 or 1 change) to get the city fix: stunningly charming and historic old town, great museums, great eaing, and great shopping.

From Basel, I would head to the mountains -- Wengen or Muerren or Grindelwald, in that order -- about 3h by train with 2 or 3 changes. In the mountain villages, you can walk or hike or stroll -- or just sit at a cafe and stare at the stunning scenery. You can also run down to Interlaken to explore the lakes, etc.

Then up to Zurich (about 3h30 by train) for your departure.

Alternately, you can take the TGV from Paris to Montreux on Lake Geneva, where you can walk the vineyards of the Lavaux or you can walk the 11 km lakeside promenade. Then you can run the Panoramic Express route: stay a day or two in Chateau d'Oex, Saanen, or Gstaad for your mountain fix, and then a day or two in Luzern. Because Luzern is only about an hour from the Zurich airport, you can easily stay there for your departure.

June may be a bit early for the villages of Wengen & Muerren, so for weather's sake, Lake Geneva-Luzern may be your best bet.

Do a text search here on these towns to get more info --

s

Thanks for the advice! Yes, I think I'd really like to see Geneva while I'm over there. Anyone else to weigh in on French towns to see en route?

topping

Robin:

I'm not sure I understand exactly how much time you have between Paris and Zurich (a full two weeks?), but I definitely have some ideas:

1. Take the train to Troyes. I actually haven't been there yet, but I have heard and read many wonderful things about it - magnificent Gothic churches, charming 16th-century architecture, half-timbered houses, a good art musuem....Spend a few days there.

2. Then move on by train through Dijon to Beaune. Enjoy a heap of Burgundian food and wine (do a search on this forum for Beaune - there's quite a bit of info)for a few days.

3. From Beaune train to Mulhouse, which is the southern tip of the Alsace Route du Vin. It really would be worth it to rent a car for three days or so and explore this area, maybe go up the Route du Vin and over to Freiburg, ending in Strasbourg, from which you could take the train to Zürich.

You'd see three different parts of France, all lovely, and have plenty of time to enjoy them.

Hi,

Sorry I didn't clarify. I have about 2 weeks altoghether. I'm planning to stay in the Paris area for about 6 days (including a couple of day trips), and 2-3 days at the end in Zurich. I guess I have about 4 days in-between to make some decisions about.

Good morning, RobinBinNYC there are three places might suggest for 2-3-4
days stopover enroute from Geneva. 1. Zermatt, 2. The Berneroberland, Grindelwald or Murren. 3. Luzern..
check into www.myswitzerland and check out these three to see if they seem
to fit your needs. Rail travel enroute
see www.sbb.ch for schedules and etc.
Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..

I second Troyes and Alsace. Perhaps renting a car to go to Basel, dropping it off at the airport which is in France might be the way to do it. You could also see Ronchamp on the way. We used <i>Discovering the Vilages of France</i> by Michael Busselle as a way of meandering around that area, but you'll need a detailed Michelin map.

Thanks so much! These all sound like wonderful options. My plan is to read up on all of the towns you've suggested, look at a map, and do it! I don't think I'll rent a car, though - for some reason the thought makes me nervous I'll stick to the rails and my trusty 2 feet.