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Spare time between paris and Lyon and back.

I have never been to Europe.
First, after our 7 day tour of Paris ends on Saturday morning, we will be checking into a conference in Lyon on Sunday evening. No car. Suggestions as to what to do and where to stay Saturday night to Sunday?
Second, after the 3 day conference in Lyon, we have 2 full days unscheduled before catching a plane in Paris on the 3rd morning. Again, no car, and we will probably have to spend the 2nd night in Paris to catch the plane. I'm considering day trip to Annecy and/or day trip or overnight to Avignon. Suggestions?

Posted by
4765 posts

Beaune/Dijon wine region? Lots of winery opportunities, and the TGV runs from Dijon to Paris.

Posted by
4684 posts

It depends how dense your schedule at the conference is, but I think there's enough in the city of Lyon itself to keep you occupied for two days, no need to travel anywhere else.

Posted by
14806 posts

If you want to spend the time doing a daytrip from Lyon, then Dijon is the place, A much nice to it feel than Lyon. I know, that's very subjective.

Posted by
11294 posts

Lyon is my favorite city in France after Paris, and definitely has a few days worth of attractions. They're varied too, from Roman ruins to the Resistance Museum to the Lumiere photography museum. Rick's France book has a very good chapter on Lyon.

I didn't warm to Dijon, but many do like it a lot. Not far from Dijon there's Beaune, with the very interesting old hospital (Hôtel-Dieu de Beaune).