One week between Provence and Paris (east)

There should be enough in Lyon to keep you busy for 3 nights. And if there's not, you can always take a day trip or two. This website has some ideas.

I think Lyon is a great idea. It has a very large number (and variety) of sights, so there should be things that interest all members of your family.

Take a look at Alsace. It is not directly on your route from Annecy to Paris but would not be too far out of your way. Colmar, Strasbourg, or one of the wine villages would make a nice base to explore the area. It would be a nice contrast to the other areas you are visiting. The local Vosges mountains won't give you the thrill of Mt Blanc if you venture to Chamonix from Annecy but it is all downhill from there anyway.

Another vote for Lyon. An easy stop along the way and there should be enough to keep you busy for three nights. It is on the edge of the Alps so it is not too flat. But if you are looking for some mountains, Grenoble is not that far away.

Another vote for Lyon. Great city with tons to do and beautiful at night.
Also, if you're wine drinkers you may want to consider another night in Dijon or Beaune as they both lie in Burgundy.
Good luck.

I can't speak to Lyon from experience but I wouldn't miss it on a route like yours. On the other hand, just one night in Dijon doesn't seem enough for Burgundy, where there's a lot to see and do (Beaune, Dijon, Alise & Fontenay, Semour, Vezelay, and more). You're looking for ideas between Provence and Annency -- does that mean you've been to Burgundy already?

My first thought was Burgundy too, Beaune, Dijon, Vezelay, Auxerre. After Paris, we spent a week in Burgundy, then a week each in Provence and Côte d’Azur.

Another vote for Lyon. A most surprising city I found. Food is top notch as well.

Hi and thanks for all those answers !

I know Lyon is a must for many travellers. We like big cities too but also love some natural and outdoor. We have think about 3 nights somewhere in the Vercors or in les Écrins. We know only one night in Dijon is short but that would be a stop on route before going back to Paris to catch our flight back to Montréal (we woul sleep in an hotel near the airport the night before our departure). That one night stop could be in Beaune too.

The Rhone Valley is loaded with great places to visit. We did a wonderful river cruise. Here is my review>
AMA Rhone River
http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=103733

Bonjour Bucephale,
If Burgundy, perhaps stay in Dijon and thus also visit Semur-en-Auxois. If Lyon, do not miss the superb weekend quai St. Antoine market=world-class excellent. Prendre son pied!
If you might be interested, the thread titled Photos of France over on the 'Fodorite Lounge' of the Fodors travel site, features fotos from a wide range of shutterbug contributors including my shots of the areas that you cite above, Burgundy plus Lyon. Over there, I go by the name/handle 'zebec'.
My other French images (the Aveyron) there are also seen on the thread titled 'En Pays Villefranchois', a photo essay that serves as our TR from last fall. Maybe some itinerary ideas there for your consideration?
Italophiles may also want to view our 'The Return of the Son of Isabel's Italy: a Venetian photo essay.'
I am done. The shameless plug.