Husband & I are flying into CDG, then train to Colmar (2-3 days there),Beaune (2-3), and we thought of going to Lyon for 2-3 days because we're not doing the Paris thing (too crowded for us). Is Lyon a pretty good bet for people who want some quiet, food, wine, and not too much hustle/bustle? Or other ideas for cheap couple who haven't been on a vacation without their 3 kids in 15 years?) ?!?!
Posted by
Plymouth, MN, USA
37 posts
Hi, Becky - My husband and I have done a similar trip, and are doing so again this summer. If you are going to have a car, take at least 3 days in Beaune - you can drive down to the Beaujolais area and go to the Hameau de Vin in Romaneche-Thorins. From Colmar, you can do Rick's drive on the wine route. We stayed in Equisheim last time, which was very quaint. This summer we are going to stay in Colmar. You could also spend at least a day in Strasbourg. In addition to Burgundy and Alsace, we are going to Reims for a couple of days - champagne and the cathedral call! On the way to Reims we are stopping at Verdun to see the World War I sites. Haven't been to Lyon, but have been stuck in the traffic going through it, so my impression is that it is a big city - I think the French argue about Lyon or Marseilles being the second biggest city in France. You might enjoy Strasbourg more?
Posted by
Lebanon
711 posts
Hi Becky.. I'm the one you emailed. If Paris is too crowded for you , there are many smaller places to relax and have a quiet time with wine and see smaller , quainter villages.Lyon is big, and there are many other places to sample the wine and relax.We are driving down to Isle sur la Sorgue , and then Gigondas and back up the A7 to the A6 and around. Burgundy.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
How about the Loire Valley with all the chateaux (castles)? It's a beautiful, relaxing area. Amboise is a good base, small, quiet and charming. Just a thought.
Posted by
Monroe, WA, USA
151 posts
My husband and I really enjoyed Lyon. We found it incredibly relaxing after the grind of two weeks travelling all over Italy. We went north to escape the heat of July and found Lyon enchanting. There are Roman ruins, a very easy metro system and the shopping was great. We walked across the city and started making plans for retirement. The big city park on Sunday afternoon was a highlight. Much of the city is closed and the people are all relaxing in the park. We felt so much a part of it. There is also amazing night illumination and views.
Paris is our first love but we found Lyon a fabulous time.
Posted by
OP
Corvallis, OR, USA
30 posts
thanks, all. I think we'll still do Lyon because there's much to see there and it'll be our taste of a metropolitan area. Will post a question about lodging in Lyon next!