Where to stop in route from Paris to Venice?

I would overnight in Luzern, then continue the next day to Venice vIa Milan.

It is a pleasant town with nice hotels close to the train station. And the timing just about breaks up the journey into two halves.

You do realize that you will have to buy two tickets, right? One to where you hop off the train and then one to Venice. You cannot just buy a Paris to Venice ticket and exit the train at an intermediate stop and get back on the next day. I’m never going to suggest a stop in Switzerland unless you want to spend a boat load of money to be bored. So, how about Turin?
Edit: I take that dig at Switzerland back in part because Geneva and Basel are not super boring and could be okay for a one-night stay. Before I get flamed by the lovers of Switzerland, mine is just an opinion based on having been to Bern, Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lucerne, and Zermatt while working for a year in Lausanne.

Wow, the internet has found the one person who doesn't like to visit Switzerland.

I second Lucerne.

I also don't like Italy, despite loving the food and the physical beauty of the country. It says something that I would suggest Turin over the Swiss cities. So maybe the internet has found the one person who dislikes both countries.

Palo Alto- Did you take the train? What can you tell us about Turin?
Los Angeles - What can you tell us about Switzerland? Train ride? Turin?

I went to Turin on business and it was fine -- way more interesting than any place I have been to in Switzerland. I did not go there via train from Paris but I know that it is the connecting stop on a train route from Paris to Venice. I suggested it because I think Switzerland is boring and stopping in France I thought would be close to your starting point. I had one of the best meals of my life in Turin but sadly I did not take trip notes and do not remember the name of the place.

For all things train related, you should visit the Man in Seat 61. He sees all and knows all. And he will sometimes respond to emails, especially with an "interesting" question like yours.

You need info on Switzerland? Do you have Rick's guidebook?

Hello from Wisconsin,

Conditions may have changed. I found the options for getting from Florence to Paris difficult, and time consuming. We eventually flew out of Pisa. I understand this is the reverse direction of what you are trying to do.

I would look at options of how to get from Paris to Venice. Trains may require a layover at some point and that is where I would book a stay.

wayne iNWI

Hi, we have taken the train from Venice to Paris as our endpoints of a trip where we stopped at Vicenza, Torino, Annecy, & Lyon besides staying in Venice & Paris.

Stops that would be a nice break from your ride would be either Lyon or Torino. But, if you would like a stop at a charming smaller town, a slight side trip to stay in Annecy would be a nice change from Paris & Venice. But, if you’re on a tight timeline, I would select Torino.