Hello, my cousin and I want to plan a trip to see Switzerland by train, Flying into Zurich (approx 1/3rd of trip, 1 week), and then travel to France (best place to cross?), and across France to the Loire Valley region, up to Normandy region, and then out from Paris. We will be traveling Late September-Early October 2019. We have seen Paris, so don't need time to visit there. My cousin has driven all over Italy and France (including the Amalfi coast), so we were thinking of maybe renting a car once in France. We would love to see the highlights in Switzerland, as we have never been to that country. We were thinking of sights along the Bernia Express train, we want to know the main places we should see and where to stay, for approx 1 week. We also welcome suggestions, for best sights and travel suggestions, for travel through France, to Loire Valley region and Normandy regions. Thank you
Note: We want to stay 2-3 nights in key places, as we cross France from the Swiss border to the Loire Valley and also in Normandy. What are the top places we shouldn't miss? We prefer smaller, less popular villages versus large cities, so we can do day trips from our home base.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
From Lausanne it's about 7 hours to Amboise; an hour less from Basel or Geneva. All require a change in pars, where you might time things to have a meal. The trip will basically take all day.
You could stop enroute in Alsace or Lyon or even Burgundy (a little out of your way but not much).
Alternatively, there might be cheap flights from Switzerland to Caen. You could rent a car in Normandy and work your way east.
If you truly do not need to see Paris then consider ending your trip in a place that has a direct train to Charles deGaulle, such as Lyon or Reims, and scheduling and afternoon flight home.
Posted by
8176 posts
I agree with the previous poster, either through Strasbourg or Lyon. Too bad you can't do Provence in SE France, it is great.
The Loire Valley with its Chateux are great. We stayed at Blois and did several. Also, for Normandy, make sure you visit Bayeux and see the 900 year old Bayeux Tapestry describing the Norman conquest of England. It is amazing.