Hi, My mom, son and I are going on the trip of a lifetime. We are flying in to Paris, with out eventual destination Slovakia to look up distant cousins. We are driving, and want to spend some time in eastern France. I absolutely want to go to Alesia, to see the battlefield where Caesar beat the Gauls (I was a Classics student in college!) Other than that, I am open to suggestions. We have about a week to meander around before we head to the Black Forest. I would love any suggestions! Thanks!
Posted by
San Francisco
14791 posts
Renee, Eastern France is one of my favourite areas in the country. I heartily suggest you visit Metz and Strasbourg, while Strasbourg is a much more beautiful city, Metz is still worth a visit, especially the villages west of Metz...a good number of them were battle sites. The Prussian military cemetery is at Gravelotte. It's a lot easier and you'll see more of these villages since you're going by a rental car. I did it by bus from Metz to Gravelotte, didn't get to see the outskirts of the other villages.
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
We thought Annecy and Chamonix were great. Much better that the alps as seen from southern Bavaria for us anyway. Strasbourg, Colmar (especially for the Unterlinden Museum) are also wonderful. The area around Beaune in Burgundy, also recommended. As usual Rick is on target in what he recommends. I regretted we did not make it to Reims and Verdun on our last trip -- my research showed that it is also a very worthwhile region.
Posted by
Springfield, VA, USA
283 posts
Besides the Champagne Trail (well worth a trip), there is Reims and the Verdun battlefields--definately worth your time. This area of France was critical in almost every war fought in Europe/France, including WWI (lots to see) and WWII (need to know something to find places.)
Posted by
Grapevine, TX, USA
875 posts
Colmar is a picturesque little town; Reims besides great champagne it has a wonderful Notre Dame of its very own that you can visit and pretty much feel like you have the place to yourself. Take the wine trail north from Colmar and visit Riquewehr (sp?) and the other little villages along the way to Strasbourg.
Posted by
OP
Pittsburgh, PA
11 posts
Thanks for all of the great tips! Looking forward to it!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I second the question of what time of year. This can make a huge difference, as late fall and winter weather can make rural sight-seeing less than an ideal use of your time. Two places where I really wanted to spend more time were Dijon and Besançon. I found Colmar mildly interesting. Probably worth your time on the way to the Black Forest, but not worth going too far out of your way to visit. I wish I had spent less time in the town and more time exploring the nearby Vosges mountains. There are also a handful US military cemeteries scattered around that area of France that sit ignored by most tourists (not by the French, though). The day I visited the cemetery at Epinal (where I have a relative buried), it was nearly deserted.
Posted by
Orlando, Florida
676 posts
If you like, or think you might like champagne, Reims has some champagne houses, and Epernay has LOTS more. Haven't been to Reims yet but Epernay is great-pay a small fee for the tour, some samples, drink, laugh, have fun....