Mid Point Stop

SOTL,

Sounds like you’re planning a great trip!

My daughter and I enjoyed our time in France visiting the French Alps, Provence, the Loire Valley, and Paris.

I’ve not been to the Alsace region yet but it’s definitely on my bucket list.

I just want to follow along and read the many helpful replies from others who will chime in.

Make sure you book your Eiffel Tower tickets now if you’ve not done so already.

Wishing a wonderful trip!

How much of your time do you want to spend driving? Lyon to Paris via Nice isn't very efficient, with a long drive back at the end. Alsace is probably the most efficient of your choices, though no ocean. You might consider a little time in Burgundy and/or Champagne along the way. ViaMichelin is helpful to estimate driving times and costs, but keep in mind that it makes no allowances for traffic, construction zones, or stops.

I'd do Burgundy -- Beune, Vezelay, Auxerre, Semur en Auxois. Such a lot of beautiful thihgs in this stretch: abbeys, chateaux, beautiful towns. We loved Semur en Auxois and used it as a stop over from Provence on drive to Paris.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/medieval-towns/

I agree that Burgundy would make the most sense, but 5 days is perhaps a bit much. If you go that way, then 4 nights is probably enough. It is a fairly large region anyway so you cannot see it all from a single base. You could then spend an extra day in Paris, or a night or two in the Fontainebleau are to visit the chateaux (Fontainebleau and Vaux le Vicomte) and cute towns (Moret, Barbizon) in that area.

We once spent a week in Semur en Auxois and did day trips to Fontenay Abbey, several villages, a couple of chateux and did some hikes in the Jura to varioius 'sources' of local rivers and streams (lots of short hikes). There is plenty to do in Burgundy for 5 days. We have also stayed in the edge of the Morvan forrest near Avalon and you can visit Vezelay and Auxerre from there. This is just a beautiful part of France.