Anything worth visiting between Paris and bern

Was thinking of stopping by Colmar for a 2 hour break. but we have seen so many small towns in Germany/Austria/Switzerland area, that this town looks more of the ‘been there, done that’

I travelled from Paris to Switzerland via Strasbourg which is near Colmar. I spent 2 nights at Strasbourg, and it was very worthwhile. I did not get to Colmar, but I think a 2 hour stop would not be enough. Going via Alsace is indirect, but worthwhile in my opinion. If you take the direct fast train, it takes the shortest, flatest and least interesting route.

Ted, what did you enjoy in Strasbourg? That was an option I was considering too

Strasbourg cathedral is very impressive. There are also a lot of nice old buildings in the old town, including the Petit France area. I also enjoyed the food which is a sort of mix of French and German food.

We have spent more 600 days as EU tourists, mostly in France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and find there is nothing comparable to Alsace (Colmar). It doesn't seem to show up well on Internet images, but the big deal is that the half timbered houses in Alsace are painted in pastel colors while everywhere else they are mostly black and white. We like Alsace so much that we have been there at least 10 times. Best sights in Alsace 1] the Route de Vin Alsace (tours from Colmar or Strasbourg or (best) rent a car; 2] Colmar, 3] Strasbourg.

The only Baroque Church in France is in Alsace between Strasbourg and Colmar.

To eat: restaurant Kaysersburg's Au Lion d'Or, a sight to see in itself. The restaurant is still operated by its founding family in its original building. It opened for business in 1729, three years before George Washington was born in 1732.

Take 2-4 days

I absolutely agree that Colmar and Strasbourg, and especially the villages between and above and below are very well worth seeing.

Also along that general route are Dijon and Beaune in the wine country, Troyes for its memorable past, Metz and Lorraine for all sorts of reasons, and Nancy. Nancy for its archietecture, and its glass. And then the Vosges.

Further south in Alsace is Mulhouse, with its two famous museums.

Then there is Basel, Switzerland, on the border of both France and Germany. Basel, directly on the route, but overlooked by many Americans, even those whose Rhine River cruises end or start there. Beautiful buildings, great sense of humour, motorless ferries across the beautiful river, swimming in the river, great museums including the Design Museum just over the border, famous festivals - all in all a great city to visit. Oh, and a zoo.

France is so much more than just Paris. The whole country is large and full of many many things to see and do in every region. East and Southeast of Paris, on the way to Switzerland is chock full of treasures.

The high speed train, in order to be high speed, goes in straight and level travel as much as possible and by its very nature bypasses most towns and cities. It does go through a lot of farmland. Don't be deceived and think that there is nothing there but crops.

Strasbourg is a beautiful small city. The cathedral, the charming streets, boat rides, food. We would return. We loved Alsace and it’s wine villages with the exception of Colmar which was a “meh” for us.

I think Colmar is beautiful, albeit touristy. And the Unterlinden Museum--home of the wonderful Isenheim Altarpiece--is a good museum.

Do you want a beeline or some things to string into a vacation?

Beeline - Burgundy is directly on the way. Start Vezelay and end up in Beaune or Dijon. You might consider adding the medieval town of Provins and/or Troyes in Champagne. They're both right on the way too. I took a train to Auxere from Paris and rented a car there before doing a loop through Burgundy, Alsace (dropped the car in Strasbourg) then by train to Reims and back to Paris.

String - Burgundy and Alsace then down to Bern. Chartres is out of the way from Paris but it's a great visit too.