allocating time between Paris and Colmar (Strasbourg)

Colmar and Strasbourg are pretty far from Paris, and while interesting, are not really A List sites. Why not go to the Loire Valley instead? Lots to great places to see and much easier to get to. Another possibility is Beaune/Dijon/Burgundy Wine Country. Just another point of view...

I have to respectfully disagree regarding Colmar. It is the home of the Unterlinden Museum, which houses the extremely famous Isenheim Altarpiece, the greatest masterpiece of German Renaissance artist Matthias Grünewald. Some scholars have called it "German art's Sistine Chapel." Also, Colmar's old town center is exceptionally well preserved and has many original half-timbered buildings because it was mostly not damaged during WWII. And it has so many canals it is called 'La Petite Venise'. I think it's a mistake to miss Colmar if you're in the region.

Yes, I'd add a day to Paris. Strasbourg has one of the most important cathedrals and other sights to see. Either Colmar or Strasbourg would be fine. there is plenty open for you to do in Alsace. On a Sunday we drove out of Strasbourg for the day, visiting wineries, a castle, and Colmar, but plenty was open in Strasbourg. I'm not sure why a previous poster categorized Alsace as less in stature.

Colmar and Strasbourg are close enough to each other - and similar enough to each other - that I wouldn't stay in both. I'd choose one and visit the other. People here seem to prefer Colmar - I prefer Strasbourg but I'm more of a big city girl (although Colmar is a city too!) Most importantly is having some time to see the Route du Vin and visit the small villiages in the area as well. I would add another day to Paris. I've never been ready to leave Paris. Since Alsace is "German" things really do slow down/shut down on Sunday - at least in terms of shopping, not a lot will be open. But restaurants and attractions will be. And I do think Alsace is an A list attraction, and with the TGV from Paris it's only 2 1/2 hours anyway. Are you asking for suggestions for your wife and son for their extra four days? Why not the French Alps and/or Dijon?

Colmar and Strausbourt aren't "A" list sites? I'd rather go to either of these towns than go to Paris. Both are far more interesting to me. Went there this Christmas and can't wait to go back to both of them. Beautiful places and well worth a visit.

Thank you for the "on topic" answers. Very appreciated. My younger (26) son and wife will determine their own destination. They wanted me to choose the location for my 3-4 days. I wanted to see Verdun and the Alsace region but think I don't have the time, so we'll train to somewhere in the Alsace area and rent a car to roam the hills and towns. --------- We are renting an apartment in Paris for the days we are there. I should be able to add a day to it, as long as she hasn't booked the following time to someone else :-) SO it's a question of balancing the time between Paris and the eastern region. ----------
The Lorie Valley seems a hot topic if i want to see gardens/chateaus, which I'll leave to my wife :-)

Agree with everyone that Colmar is a charming place and worthy of a visit. Enjoy!

Although I rely on Rick Steves' taste and research, it's important to realize that there are bigger pictures out there than Rick's "boldface names." It's just as valid to say that Paris-Strasbourg-Colmar leaves out a dozen wine/Jean Renoir movie location/medieval town center/Michelin 2/3 star restaurant sites. You have to do the research, not just ask here what's the best route. If you leave everything to others, you'll never know what you missed. Obviously, big cities like Strasbourg have more to do on Sundays than small, pretty cities like Ribeauville and Riquewehr or Eguisheim. I'm sorry I didn't know about Le Corbusier's buildings in Ronchamp and Éveux when we "did" this area. We didn't see Basel (Switzerland) or Freiburg (Germany) until years later. (We hit Besancon, Ornans (Courbet's home town), and Perouges on a different trip.) My point, you'll hit Paris many times in the future. How many times will you be in Alsace?

Here's how I'd approach it: Paris - hub, you'll see it again Strasbourg - good place, with lots to see Colmar - lives only on tourism for people who haven't been to similar spots in Germany, worth a lunch stop and a walk-around, ranks with Beaune, but above Les Baux (slightly) Alsace - great if you do some research Picardie - wild card, better than Alsace, Mr Steves might not know it exists, closer than Alsace, do some research

As regions go, Alsace is much more up my ally than Picardie. I have time to change my mind regarding "where" to go.
But the debate is about allocating very limited time. Thanks for the suggestion that I'll go to Paris more often than elsewhere (Alsace), so feel free to allocate the debated time to "elsewhere."