Where to visit in eastern France?
 

Our daughter will be in school in Annecy next summer and when she finishes we plan to pick her up and travel a bit by train. Where would you suggest we go? We'll have 7-10 days. Val-d' Isere, Chamonix, the Alsace region? We're also considering Geneva, Lucerne, Innsbruck, Salzburg. I think we'd prefer small quaint , picturesque towns. Maybe we could go to one city in Austria, one in Switzerland and 2 in France. Thanks for any comments on these or other suggestions.

Sue

I would make some time for Burgundy, Dijon and Beaune and region.

Hi S,

When will this be - Aug, Sep, Oct?

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Another vote for Burgundy of course!
ttt

I prefer the wines in Burgundy, at any rate.
I haven't been yet, but my feller' enjoys the Atlantic Coast, a lot. mmm...La Rochelle? Could that be the town he speaks of with such fondness?

Hi Suzie,

If you meant the La Rochelle on the Atlantic Coast, it's near the Bordeaux wine region, not Burgundy. :)

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Hi SJ,

I agree with coco.

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We were in Annecy this August, also stayed in Briancon. Lots to do in both those regions. We drove to Geneva as well as Sestriere and St. Veran. Old Briancon and St. Veran certainly are small,old and quaint. Geneva is not ;;) Lyon, while not a small city, certainly has some very unique qualities. I haven't had time to write a trip report but if you have any questions about the area I would be happy to help. Deborah

She'll be finishing up, unfortunately, right at the height of the tourist season. End of July.

Sue

I know. I like Burgundy - a lot. I found myself drawn to a little town along the Soane called Tournus.

He is the one of the two of us who have been to the Atlantic coast...and he was drawn to La Rochelle.

We were in Colmar, France in the Alsace region in 2005. It's quite Germanic because the Alsace region was part of Germany for many centuries, and as a result of wars it was then French, then German and finally this region was given to the French after WWII. It's preserved because Germany spared this town for some reason and didn't bomb it. French is the language, and it's a beautiful, quiet and picturesque town with colorful half-timbered houses, a "petit Venetian canal", cobbled roads and is on a mission to save the storks. It has a wonderful pedestrian central area with historical buildings, shops, and restaurants. Also, the weather is cooler in the summer in this region. I've only met one person who has visited this region. Most people think of the western and southern parts when they think of visiting France. We also stayed in a small inn in the wine country on our way to Strasbourg. After we returned our rental car in Strasbourg, we took a train to Germany to fly home from Frankfurt. We enjoyed driving, so that we could stop at interesting places and find unique hotels in the countryside.

We also stayed in Colmar 3 years ago and loved it. Recommend a car though, because of the many towns and villages nearby that are worth visiting - Eguisheim, Hunawihr, Riquewihr, Ribeauville, Kayserberg, Gueberschwihr. All wonderful.