France 3 weeks/Germany 1 week.

Posted by Ginger (TX) on 02/27/23 02:53 PM

Hello, we are finally using our Covid “cancelled ticket” but the problem is that we have to fly in and out of Paris. We also have to make a detour to Heidelberg (family).

Now here is where I’m stumped. I have never been to Lyon and would like to spend at least 5 full days there, no car. We don’t want to go to Marseille, but wouldn’t mind seeing Grenoble, Avignon, Chambéry. Does it make sense stopping for 3 nights at any of these towns and taking day trips by car?

We will then need to start heading in the direction of Alsace but not sure which areas to stop along the way, that would make logical sense, yet still have enough to see and do. After we get to Germany, we would then need to head back towards Paris.

I don’t like one night stops, preferring 2-3 nights, or longer. Any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Posted by History Traveler

02/27/23 03:28 PM

785 posts

We are going to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region next month, including Lyon, which we love and are excited to see again. Five days seems about right if this is your first visit.

Just this week, we made a change that I'll share, with the caveat that we actually haven't made the trip yet! But after Lyon we were going to go to Chambery to explore the region -- Chambery, Grenoble, Annecy, etc. But now we've switched to Aix-les-Bains instead. It seems much more picturesque, we liked the lodging choices better, and it remains a direct connection from Lyon. We'll see how it goes, but it seemed like a good car-less base/hub for us to explore the region. We're giving the region a whole week, FYI.

BTW, Avignon seems like an outlier on your list. That is significantly to the south.

Just to throw an idea out there for the second part of your question -- after leaving that region and heading for Alsace, what about going through Switzerland and landing at Basel (Geneva - Bern - Basel)? From there is a pretty easy shot up through Alsace (Mullhouse, Colmar, Strasbourg, etc.) and on to Germany from there. I wasn't sure from your post if this was going to be train only or by car, so this suggestion assumes trains.

Posted by Ginger OP

02/27/23 09:20 PM

502 posts

Hi, thanks so much for the feedback. I was actually looking at Aixs Les Bains for a brief moment after posting! But I wonder if there will be snow and messy roads? We were thinking about a car but maybe I should squash that idea. I don’t leave until April 24th. I’ve read so much about Lyon that it sounds amazing and has so much history.

Posted by History Traveler

02/27/23 09:46 PM

785 posts

I ran Aix-les-Bains' historic weather for April 30 for the past three years: 68 H / 50 L (2022); 54 H / 50 L (2021); 57 H / 52 L (2000).

I suspect snow will be long gone!

Posted by Ginger OP

02/28/23 01:17 AM

502 posts

That is good news. Have you already secured your accommodations?

Posted by History Traveler

02/28/23 03:34 PM

785 posts

We are all booked. Sadly our favorite place to stay in Lyon is no more. Because of that, and because it is a shorter stay, we're just doing a basic room at the Mercure Gare part Dieu. For Aix-les-Bains -- with it being a week-long stay to explore the region -- we're renting an apartment (Airbnb).

If it turns out you want to explore the Geneva - Bern - Basel approach to Alsace, I can definitely recommend The Passage hotel in Basel. We stayed there last year. Great property and very convenient location.