Need help with planning where to go for a couple of days between Paris and Annecy

Hi Karen, we did a trip where we went from Annecy to Lyon to Paris. I’ll find the trip report and attach it. We traveled by train.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/3-weeks-in-italy-france-french-locations

How many nights are you sleeping in Paris? Paris deserves a week.

I’ve been to both cities and in November made my second visit to Lyon. I would definitely recommend Lyon because of its sights, food and great public transportation system. Just 2 hours from Paris on the TGV. If you do go, have a quenelle, the local delicacy, at Cafe Restaurant Du Soliel, 2 Rue Saint-Georges in Vieux Lyon.

I haven't been to Lyon (coming this fall) but I've been to Beaune and I'd say it's a good place to spend a day (between two nights) -- the Hospices, an interesting church, a wine museum, lots of tasting rooms, twice-weekly market. But I think there's much more to see in Lyon, and it's easily reached by TGV from Paris (Gare de Lyon, natch). So I'd pick Lyon. Can't help you re how long to stay in Annency. I would agree that Paris is worth as much time as you can give it.

Lyon is a great city with a unique culinary tradition, roman ruins, medieval old city, a beautiful cathedral on a big hill with wonderful views which you can arrive by vernacular, and as one of the hotbeds of the French resistance there is a museum there on that topic too. There is a great new shopping area called the Confluencel In fact it's so vibrant that hotel prices seem pretty high. It is walkable and there are subways. It's about 1:45 from Annecy via two trains. But Lyon is on the main train trunk line from Paris to Lyon to Avignon to Marseille to Nice.

So Annecy is kinda out of the way. You could probably go Paris to Geneva on TGV then its 45 minutes to Annecy. Then get over to Lyon, then a short TGV to Avignon which is a good base for Provence (Nimes, Arles, Pont du Gard, Les Beaux, St Remy, Gordes, etc.).

Aix-en-Provence is only an hour drive but a 2 hour train - go figure. I have taken that route several times. But it's also a great city and great base.

Thank you everyone for all your responses! This forum is so helpful in planning trips and I really appreciate all of the information everyone has provided. I appreciate the tips for where to eat as well the rest of the information regarding the towns. I didn't know much about Lyon before, but from what everyone is saying it sounds like a nice city to visit so I may opt for that. I have heard that Annecy is similar to Geneva but Annecy is much cheaper. After Annecy we are taking a train to Avignon and will rent a car to spend several days exploring Provence. I have been to Provence before but I'm really looking forward to going back and seeing more towns that I didn't have time to see on my last trip. I will be spending 4 nights in Paris, but I have been there before so that should be OK. I want to see more areas of France that I haven't been to before and unfortunately I only have 2 weeks! We will also visit Carcassonne before flying home from Marseille, and both of these towns will be new to me as well. Thanks again for all of your help!

I'd choose Lyon, but Beaune is attractive, and Dijon is an easy day trip by public transportation.

lyon is perfect. We did two nights there as a side trip from Paris -- did the Basilica and Roman ruins the first night and the Traboules the full day and just enjoyed the rivers and the old town. WEnt to Les Halles Paul Bocuse before catching the train from Part Dieu back to Paris. It was a lovely trip. Be sure to make reservations at Bouchons (or other restaurants for dinner). We particularly enjoyed les Lyonnaise just across the foot bridge to old town.

I would also choose Lyon, but I would visit Lyon after Annecy. The reason being that Paris-Annecy trains are direct (and skirt Lyon), whereas most train trips from Annecy to Provence require a change of trains in Lyon anyway.