We'll be taking a roadtrip of sorts from Marseille to Paris with multi-day stops along the way. I'm looking for suggestions for our stretch between Chamonix and Paris. We have three nights to spend, are happy to spend all three in one place or break it up between a couple locales. We are not wine drinkers, which I know is kind of a sacrilege since we'll be driving through some excellent wine country. Otherwise, our interests are history, art, experiences (arts/crafts, cooking, agritourism), hiking/nature. We would love to find a castle/chateau to stay in, or some other interesting/notable lodging. Open to suggestions for route between Chamonix and Paris as well...had thought maybe of going through/stopping in Geneva (interested in seeing the UN there? We've been to the NYC UN building), but not committed. Thanks for any insights!
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Colorado Mountains, USA
7779 posts
After you go to/thru Geneva, then swing down to Lyon for 1-3 days, before angling towards Paris. There’s the lower town, and the historic silk-workers Croix Rousse district in the upper town. There are even intriguing former silk worker apartments where you can stay, not palatial or enormous, but built very tall to accommodate the breakthrough Jacquard looms that occupied each one, back in the day when Lyon was the place weaving silk. You can get hiking in just by walking up to Croix Rousse, although it’ll be more urban than backcountry. The funicular takes you up to Fourvière Hill, where there remains an ancient theater from Roman times, and the Gallo-Roman museum.
It’s arguably the food capital of a very food-focused country. Take a class From Lucy Vanel at Plum Lyon Teaching Kitchen www.plumlyon.com .