A town/city in France Off The Beaten Path-Help!

John, I'm not sure if it's within 1.5-2 hours from Paris, but Colmar is a fantastic smaller town (I much prefer it to Strasbourg).

I didn't see Fontainebleau on the list. If you have not visited the chateau as well as walked in the town, esp., the centre ville, that's my first suggestion. Reims is a good choice not only for the cathedral but also see where the surrender was signed in 1945. It's become a museum. I saw the place in August 1984. I would have recommended Amiens on the Somme but you've already visited it...very well worth it. Went back there couple of times. What about Compiegne...that's definitely worth your time historically and the town struck me as also quaint. Seeing the Armistice site is poignant. Another recommendation I have but haven't visited it myself as yet is Soissons. Very doable from Gare du Nord as is Compiegne.

John, it does look as though you have chosen mostly larger cities in the past. You should consider that there are also some charming towns in the regions that you have visited. ¶ Your picks make sense if you'd like to see someplace new, but if you really loved, say, Alsace, there is Colmar; for Burgundy there is Beaune (and other towns in these regions too) for example.

Thanks for all of the advice! Since I'll be alone, I don't want to wind up in a sleepy little town with nothing going on...but I do think a more "quaint" place like Beaune (I've actually been there, too) or Colmar would be fun [INVALID] but I'm thinking more in the Loire Valley region. Anyone know of any locations in the Loire that are smaller yet have more going on like a Beaune/Colmar/Honfleur/Aix-en-Provence etc. and easy to get to by train? Thanks again!

We are staying in a small town on the train line, in the Loire Valley: St. Aignan. I don't know if it has enough going on for you, but they do have their own castle and a weekly market. I have been following this guy's blog, which I found after booking our place: http://ckenb.blogspot.com/

John - How about Chinon? Lovely town, we stayed at the Hotel Diderot. If you want to go to the Loire Valley, I'd rent a car.

Since you don't plan to rent a car and prefer a 2 hour train I vote for Reims...great cathedral, plenty of history, and a good assortlent of cafés and restaurants. I especially like their Fine Arts Museum...plus I'm a fan of the Japanese/French artist Fujita who painted the ceilings of the chapel where he is buried....And PS, despite years in France, I still have trouble pronouncing Reims, but don't let that discourage you from going

Semur-en-Auxois is a small well connected town in the Burgundy region. It is connected to Paris by train. Another nice place in the Loire valley is Saumur.

We stayed in Amboise for 3 days in June, a charming town centrally located in the Loire Valley. Enjoyed it very much.

Purnima's recommendation is the best one of all...Semur-en-Auxois!

Semur-en-Aixois is indeed a charming town, convenient to some spectacular sights, but there is no rail connection, only an infrequent bus from Montbard (and maybe Dijon - not sure about that). I hope Purnima will not resent this small correction. If the OP were interested in returning to Burgundy - with a car or bicycle - he could do worse.

Would Troyes or Auxerre fit the bill or are they too small?

John, as someone else suggested, Chinon and Hotel Diderot are also a great choice (that's one that I forgot about).

John, I think you'll feel very comfortable at the Diderot. The owners are wonderful, a brother and two sisters, and the breakfast room is cozy. If you like wine, Laurent, the owner, is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I don't have an answer for you about the train station, but the town is not large, and very walkable. Enjoy!

Beaune is wonderful. You can also rent bikes there and ride to the vineyards. I think the TGV runs from Beaune to Paris. A bit farther away by train (3.5) is Annecy. Well worth seeing, at the foot of the French alps.

OK...after much research, I think I may TGV from Paris to Tours, then take the train to Chinon. Beaune is a great town - but I've already been there. Hotel Diedrot looks awesome. I will be alone and will have luggage and am not driving. For those of you who have been to Chinon, could I easily walk to Hotel Diedrot from the gare? I google mapped it and it looks like it's not too far. Also, will it be OK for someone traveling alone to stay at Hotel Diedrot? I don't want to go to a place that is TOO small/intimate and feel awkward being alone. Thanks!

Google Maps is amazing. It shows it's a 9-minute walk (750 m) to the Hotel Diderot from the train station (Gare).

Thanks for your help and advice, everyone. I booked two nights at Hotel Diedrot in Chinon. (what a value, too[INVALID][INVALID]only 48 euros per night!!!) Next Fall I may try Colmar.