Hello! We're traveling from Lyon to Colmar by train. It seems unclear if I should go straight from Lyon to Strasbourg, then train to Colmar (on a map this looks silly), or if I should change over somewhere else to go direct to Colmar (Dijon?). If folks have suggestions , I would welcome them... or additionally, if the answer is: "don't worry about it, go to the train station, and they will help you sort it out" that would be fine too. I just wasn't sure how prepared I should be to figure it all out on my own! Especially as my high school French is quite humble. Thanks!
When are you traveling and what time did you want to leave Lyon. I put in a dummy date and there is a direct train from Lyon Part Dieu station to Colmar leaving at 12:04 (noon) and arriving at Colmar at 15:27 (3:30). That is the fastest train with no changes. If you need to leave earlier there are other trains with 1 or 2 changes that take longer, these have changes in either Paris, Strasbourg, Dijon, or Mulhouse. Either way you don't have to go out of the way to Strasbourg and then return to Colmar unless you want to do that to see a little of Strasbourg on the way. Not sure where you are doing your search but I like this website http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/ as I find it the easiest to navigate.
www.sncf.com/ gives connections with only one change (in Mulhouse) and even the occasional direct train.
Destie, Any train from Lyon to Strasbourg, will and must go via Mulhouse and Colmar (look at it on a map showing rail lines). And, AFAIK, all trains stop at both places.
Look it up on https://www.trainline.eu/
it will be a lot cheaper to buy your ticket in advance on the internet ("print-at-home" or " Print-at-station ticket" ticket).
On the above site I see direct trains (no changes) starting at €25 (advance purchase fare) with journey time 3-4 hours. Buying from the station on the day is a lot more expensive.