Dijon versus Mulhouse

Neither. It is only 3 hours from Paris to Basel, and you can always stretch your legs on the train. Stopping will just complicate things and add expense. Stretch your legs in Basel where you change trains to the Berner Oberland.

We prefer to stop in France on the way there. Our train journey that day will be 6 hours, so stops will be necessary with a toddler and with an older couple with blood clotting issues. We will be meeting the older couple at the airport to accompany them. This will be their first time in France and they might enjoy stopping somewhere to get lunch and look around. Smaller cities make more sense with limited time and a slower pace. We don't enjoy Basel as much as a destination and we will be staying in Bern during the last day/night of our trip before heading out so don't think we would stop there on the way in. We will be spending 3 days in Thun and 5 days in Murren. After their overnight flight, they will need to stay busy anyways to stay awake and adjust to the time change, and this would be a chance for them to see something different from the rest of the trip without going out of our way.

In that case, Mulhouse would be better. Dijon the train station is not in the "nicest" part of town. From Mulhouse, there are frequent regional trains to Basel and connections to the B.O. Can't help with luggage storage. In Basel, luggage storage is easy peasy. Lots of lockers. French stations are not big on luggage storage.

Hi Jules,

I have not been to either station so I cannot comment on which to pick but I looked up luggage storage for both stations. Both links are from the SNCF website.

It appears Mulhouse does not have lockers but partners with a business within a 5 minute walk that will store for you: https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/en/stations-services/mulhouse/services-shops/partner-left-luggage-services

Dijon has luggage storage near the TRAM entrance:
https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/en/stations-services/mulhouse/services-shops/partner-left-luggage-services

Thank you for the info!

I have never been to Dijon but I have been to Mulhouse.

For that reason, I would pick Dijon. Mulhouse didn't exactly thrill me.

I have been to both (but by car so can't comment on the stations).
Dijon is more compact and far more attractive. There is also the most amazing Maille mustard shop.
The great attractions of Mulhouse are the automobile museum and the raliway museum, but you won't have time for those.

Dijon of course! The centre ville is an easy walk from the train station, or you can hop on the tramway. Dijon is as charming as can be and is world renowned - Mulhouse not so much.