Where to visit for 2-3 days between Annecy and Pau (on train line)

Probably somewhere along the south. Eg. Nimes. Montpellier. Sete...

Would be a nice change from both Annecy and Pau. And the logistics are good.

Most routes go through Paris with a change of stations; some go to Gare de Lyon, while others go to Massey. This route is 9 hours or more with one or two changes. I did see one itinerary with a change in Valence followed several hours later with a change in Toulouse. Toulouse would be an interesting place to visit. This travel time from Annecy to Pau on this route was about 12 hours. You are really going from one end to the other.

Pau is connected by train mainly with Toulouse or Bordeaux.

From Annecy, you therefore basically have 3 options to reach Toulouse or Bordeaux by train:

1 - Take a train to Lyon then a train to Toulouse with different stopover possibilities such as Montpellier or Marseille.

2 - Go to Paris then take a train to Bordeaux

3 - Go to Paris then take a train to Toulouse

In any case, your 2 -3 days will be largely taken up by train travel.

The option that will allow you to spend all your time other than on a train is to take a direct flight Geneva → Toulouse with EasyJet.
(Annecy→Geneva is 1h30 by train)

So you could spend your 2 or 3 days in Toulouse before taking a train to Pau

Montpelier is the logical answer as it is a train change point about half way, with about 4 1/2 hours on each leg. It is a university city with a long history since the middle ages.

You’re right Sam, but she’d have to patch it together herself bc it’s not coming up on the SNCFConnect: Annecy to Lyon or Valence, TGv to Montpellier , day 1
Then Intercities to Toulouse, and whatever goes from Toulouse to Pau. Second travel day. Totally doable.

Thanks everyone for this input! I had not thought of Montpellier but am intrigued and think I will head there. Merci beaucoup!