We hope to pick up a new car in Stuttgart and drive it for five days in early October to drop off in Paris. Not being familiar with the area, we would like advice on what to see -- what cities or towns to stop in, whether we should proceed on a circle route (the direct sightseeing route proposed by Via Michelin being only 8.5 hours) around Paris to other areas.

Any suggestions?

Plenty of options to fill 5 days between the two cities - but what are your interests? Are you also spending time in Paris (where you don't need to drive)?

Places to consider visiting (in no particular order/route) are:
Black Forest -(do a board search, topic of places to visit there was discussed just 2 weeks ago)Baden Baden, Freiburg
Switzerland - endless options, but Luzern, Berner Oberland, Bern are good starts
Besancon - often overlooked but quite a pretty old town and lots to see
Strasbourg - great for food and wine lovers, very pretty
Rhein valley - the southern part if you don't want to go too far in the opposite direction.

There are, of course, places in the Champagne-Ardenne region which may interest you (Reims, Epernay, Bouzy, Troyes) and you can spend a few days swanning around the region. All depends on your interests and what you'd like to see/do/eat/drink.

Head south from Stuttgart to Luzern, overnight there and take in the town. Stay on the German side of the border, head north (a bit a of a back track), overnight in Baden-Baden. Cross into France and stay in Strassbourg for 2 nights, Head West towards Reims for your last overnight (and some champagne).....along the way be sure to visit the small towns in the Black Forest, the pottery town of Souflenheim in France, and Verdun as well as other WW! sites.... It's a small area, but you can keep very busy!

Hi pc,

I would take this route:
Stuttgart --> Baden Baden --> Freiburg im Bresgau --> Kientzheim (2 nights) --> Strasbourg (2 nights) --> Nancy --> to Paris via Reims or Troyes.

Enjoy your visit.

OOOPs,

I made it an eight day trip.

Stuttgart --> Baden Baden --> Kientzheim via Freiburg im Bresgau --> Strasbourg --> Nancy --> to Paris via Reims or Troyes.

I forgot to ask. Are you picking up a new Daimler? If so look up the hill to the west of the plant and wave to the tallest building - top floor - my old home - I miss it!