Reims to Germany?

4 days at Reims, great, I realize it's not your question, but just curious about your itinerary/activities for the 4 days in Reims?

Hi,

I have done your intended route once..partially going from Reims to Metz, stayed overnight in Metz. That was in 1984.

Where in Germany do you want to go from Reims? Saarbrücken, did a day trip there in 2007, or Bad Kreuznach or Rastatt?

Rastatt is nice but it has been years since I was there visiting that Schloss, was there once in 1989.

Hi Kent,
we have 16 days. Using Riems as our base for the first 4 days. Day in Riems, day in Paris, Troyes, Nancy and Metz. Then we leave and head to Germany. Any suggestions on what to see? Thank you..

Hi Fred,
I'll definitely check into your suggestions. Thank you.

Hi,

It seems as if you have 2 objectives here, seeing a town or two on the Rhine and going to Amsterdam. Both are logistically feasible if you time it correctly.

If you choose Rastatt to visit (it's that Schloss and its museum if you're really into the history), then you take the train (a very short ride) to Karlsruhe, transfer to Frankfurt, where you can get a direct shot to Amsterdam. I've done that route.

If you are focusing on a Rhine town/city, then I would suggest Koblenz and nearby Bad Ems (very historical. and a very short ride to Koblenz), then take the train to Mannheim or Frankfurt to get to Amsterdam.

Keep in mind on departure from Reims going to Germany, you'll have return to Paris Est by the TGV to take the TGV to Germany, be it Saarbrucken or Karlsruhe.

That entire area is so very interesting, culturally and historically, big and tiny places...Metz, Thionville, Nancy, Forbach, Bar-le-Duc when you know what to look for.

If you don't have to go back to Reims, you might consider going from Metz to Trier. Then to Koblenz and up the Rhine from there through Bonn and Koln. It should be easy enough to get to Amsterdam from Koln, and you may want to consider a stop in Arnhem.

Hi,

Sorry , I didn't see your response, where it is posted that you'll be going to Troyes and Metz. Absolutely fantastic.

You are, most likely , aware that historically you are traveling in a whole battle area, ie of 1814, part of Napoleon's "Strategy of four Rivers" against the invading Allies, and the battles of 1870, evidence of which you would definitely run across if you're going by car.

Since you'll be in Troyes, don't leave out going to Brienne-le-Chateau, very close by, but no train there, only by bus from Troyes.
Now if you're motorized you can see also La Rothiere, another of part of battle events of 1814 on Aisne River. Only a couple of years ago, the new and expanded Napoleon Museum dedicated to where he spent his military school years was opened up, which I believe was in that exact building.

What to see in Metz? The cathedral, the ruins of the ramparts, and the city museum. I have been Metz a few times, the longest was spending almost 5 days. Keep in mind that city due to its salient location was fought over 4 times, 1870, 1918, 1944, in 1918 and 1944 by the US.

You need at least a full week in this part of Lorraine to see the historical places around Troyes and Metz. I've only named a couple of places, ie there's a lot more for which you need a car.