Need help with Lorraine versus Alsace

The US cemetery in St Avoid is a sobering reminder of WWII I think it is largest US cemetery in Europe. Please trip to visit.

It's really going to depend on what your interests are. I can, and have, spend several long weekends in Nancy, even though it's close enough to drive to for lunch (which I did last Saturday). You have the Art Deco architecture, Stanislas Plaza, the museums, the gardens, and this coming week a big fest. https://www.nancy-tourisme.fr/en/offers/le-4e-festival-livres-dailleurs-2025-edition-orient-nancy-en-5418291/

I also enjoy my days in Metz. The Musee de la Cour d'Ore is fantastic and free! Plus it's a beautiful city. Don't miss the Chagall windows in the Cathedral. Or the indoor market.

Verdun is a bit further from Nancy, and you'll basically drive over the American part of the Meuse-Argonne battlefield to get there. There are dozens of monuments in and around the area. The AMBC site has all the best ones. I highly recommend the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery and the Monfaucon and Montsec Memorials. https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/ At Verdun you should visit the Memorial. https://memorial-verdun.fr/de You can easily walk to the Ft Doumont, provided it's not raining.

If you drive to Verdun plan your route through the small town of Varennes les Meuse, the Pennsylvania Monument in town is excellent.

If you have any interest in Roman history I highly recommend a day over the border in Trier. This was the second largest Roman city outside of Rome itself until ad400.

5 days in Colmar seems excessive tbh, although I suppose it's easier than Strasbourg with the car, if that's the logic. I wouldn't skip Lorraine, there's plenty of nice things in Nancy and Metz as others have mentioned. Unless there are specific reasons you'd rather base yourself in Alsace, I'd almost consider taking a day from Colmar and adding it to Nancy and using it for a day trip to Reims or something. Sure it will be fun no matter what.

Actually only 4 days, Colmar is simply a base as with a rental car we cannot drive into Strasburg due to restrictions on emissions. We are thinking one day in Colmar, taking the train into Strasburg for another full day then two other days to explore villages.

Thank you for all the comments, now am rethinking my itinerary since it looks like Verdun could be a whole day on its own.

Do you think Metz or Nancy would be a better base for potentially three night stay? If so any recommendations for lodging, we do not need to be right in the city centre.

Verdun can easily take a day or more. I'd stay in Metz over Nancy if you plan on going to Verdun or Trier, or Reims, just because it's closer to those locations. The place I like to stay at is The Citadel https://all.accor.com/hotel/9199/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps . It's a great hotel, in a really good location, and has a beautiful park just out front. The State Theater is right behind, and the Governors Palace is right there. A plus for me is it's an old fortification that's been converted to another use. You're 5 minutes walk from the old part of the city, less than that to Galleries Lafayette, and just as close to the area where they set up for any festivals. They have good parking.

In Nancy I've only stayed in one location, Hotel De Guise, which is very nice. I love the location, but the parking is not the best. If you do go there make sure they arrange parking. There are two really good restaurants less than 5 minutes away; L'Arsenal, and Restaurant des Frères Marchand. The concierge can make reservations, you will need them.

Hello Everyone, I just read that we are not going to be able to take our rental car from Germany into Nancy. Are there any park/rides outside the city that we can leave our car or any suggestions? thank you.

Ideally, you should see both areas, well worth your time time and energy.

The last 2 trips I have decided to focus seriously and primarily on Lorraine using Metz as a hub and junction point to see Thionville, Verdun (still not finished with visiting that grim place), Toul, Gravelotte Nancy, Luneville and Morhange. Staying in Metz is far cheaper than comparably in Strasbourg.

Depending on the depth and extent of your interest pertaining to Verdun, I would suggest setting aside 3 full days for that.

Hello Everyone,

I have finalized our trip in terms of itineray. Driving from Frankfurt airport to Trier to tour the city and then spending three nights outside of Metz. Will tour Metz one day, Guided tour of Verdun and then a day in Nancy on our way to Riquewihr where we will be staying for five nights. We will spend one day in Colmar and another full day in Strasbourg (taking the train from Colmar.) That leaves two days to explore the villages. It seems everyone has their favorites. We are not so interested in all the wine stops will of course stop at one or two but not the focus of the trip. Our interests lie in learning more about the culture, history and unique stops. We would like to include Chateua du Haut-Koenigsbourg but wondering if there are some must not miss stops along the way. Also wondering if we should include Mount sainte-odile? Would love to hear opinions on best villages to include in our two days. Also out last day driving back to Frankfurt we could make some additional stops since staying in the airport the night before so gives us an additional day to meander back to the airport. Thank you for any feedback you can provide.

OK, here's a couple more suggestions. If you stay around Metz, seriously consider lodging at the Citadel. I's a very good hotel, a converted military building, and the location couldn't be better. Add to that they have parking, which is a big deal in Metz.

https://all.accor.com/hotel/9199/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps

Do visit Mont Sainte-Odile.

On the drive north to Frankfurt there are a couple of very nice places you could visit. I highly recommend you come up A35 (France) to where it runs into 65 (Germany) and take that up through the wine region. You'll pass over a dozen castles on the left side as you come up the valley.

Here are some places you could detour to, none too far off the main route:

Annweiler - This medieval town is small, cute, and has a terrific view of Castle Trifels, which is where King Richard was held for ransom on his way to England after the Crusades. You can climb to the castle, but you may not have the time.

Deidesheim - This is like the German version of what Calistoga (Napa Valley) used to be. A locals hang out with Michelin restaurants, high quality lodging, and wine bars all around a 1200 year old town center. The moat is now a garden. A lot of the city wall is now part of the houses. One of my favorite towns nobody knows.

Freinsheim - Just celebrated it's 1250th birthday, and the walls are still standing. You can walk the whole perimeter in an hour or so. Good food, wine, and very few tourists. Perfect for a couple hours stop in a peaceful place.

Grosskarlbach - Have a meal, or just ice cream, at DiBello's. Or go into the pottery shop across from the church, walk all the way to the back, and you'll find you're in a true wine garden. A very small, very secret, jewel of a town.

None of these are going to show in tour guides. Certainly not ones for Americans. But if you Google them you'll see some pictures. And you can tell your family you found places that really were off the main road.

Hi KGC, I just looked at the map and your suggestions look perfect. We wanted to meander back and your suggestions are wonderful. I was originally thinking we would stop at Heidleburg for the day but like your suggestions better. Can you expand on what you liked about Mont St. Odile? Would love to hear any of your other suggestions concerning villages. Thank you!