France, other than Paris this time, by train itinerary

We did not like Colmar at all. I would substitute Strasbourg or Riquewehr for it.

I liked Colmar. In particular the Unter Linden museum.

I would recommend visiting Dijon and Reims. they are both worth it. the other cities I have not visited. Peter

This sounds like a great trip. Annecy is an absolute gem. It is best accessed from Geneva; a 1/2 hour taxi ride to Annecy , or more cost effectively by bus. Enjoy a walk along the lake and dinner along the canal. My favorite thing is to rent a bike and ride along backroads through gardens to Menthon de St. Bernard about 10 km from Annecy for lunch and a bottle of wine in an outdoor cafe.

Taking the train to Lyon from Annecy is great. There is a Mercure hotel attached to the Perrache train station that is a pleasurable walk to the beautiful and character-rich old town, which contains countless restaurants contributing to Lyon's reputation as the gastronomic capital of France.

Beaune was charming. Located between Dijon and Lyon.

And, if you are able to take the advice on arriving in Geneva insteard of CDG, and want a recommendation for a private taxi service (cheaper and better than from the taxi stand) , that can be provided. I spent much time at our company's Annecy facility, and know that trip very well.

hey hey James
i agree with michael.kim595 about annecy. we spent 6 nights there and loved it about 4-5 years ago.
we took train to geneva from paris for 2 nights then a taxi to annecy, took about 35 minutes. we looked at train and said it was 2 1/2 hours with stops along the way, my friend and i said NO WAY. was door to door service, no lugging luggage. depending on what your priorties mean.
stay a few days and enjoy the city center, roaming around the canals with cafes/shops/sitting outside and people watching, the lake, small towns/villages around the lake, the food.
do you have a place to stay? if you are there beginning october there is a festival for the cows & other animals coming down from the hills after spending summer in the fields.
lac-annecy.com (retour des alpages annecy) saturday oct 11 2025
annecy-traditions.fr (return of the alpines in annecy) for the gallery of photos
we missed it by a week, it's an annual festival. parades of animals, farmers and families walking the streets, along with food, artisan crafters, music & dancing.
open market in "old town", big days sunday, tuesdays, fridays mornings
stopped at small hole in the wall (rotisserie du thiou) for fixed prix fondue lunch, it was yummy. eat crepes, ice cream, delicious pastries/croissants.
palais de I'lle 12th century fort with it being a palace/mint/court/prison on the canal
frenchmoments.eu/ annecy lakeshore
reserved a private taxi for a 5 hour tour around the lake to see villages, lake, mountain views. stopped for a lunch at la ferme de la charbonniere. a rustic working dairy farm/restaurant. so unusual and fixed prix for lunch (treated driver) with the cheese from the cows there. annecy castle & basilica (pope said mass year), col de la forclaz (see hang gliders soaring above you & lake, happy cows with cowbells on grazing the fields. was gorgeous and so happy with our tour. if you want name just ask
talk a walk or cab to hotel imperial palace for it's fabulous views, have a cocktail/glass of wine, has a casino there, put a few coins in the slots.
enjoy your time there and good luck, feel free to ask anything
aloha