I would like to take a train trip from Paris or Normandy to Switz. Are there any towns, areas I would find of interest to stay in. Any castles, historical areas, any pretty areas to stop a day or two and ooh and aah about? I am sure I will enjoy seeing the country side from the train, but, I just know there is something to stop and stay in right?.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
One thing to know is that the TGV trains to Bern or Basel don't make too many stops. If you purchase a ticket from Paris to Switzerland and ride on one of the TGV routes, you should understand that you have a seat reservation for that entire TGV run. If you get off the train somewhere and the train departs, the remainder of your ticket departs with it. If you want to visit smaller scenic or historic areas, you'll need to buy tickets to that destination and then have separate tickets for departing that location.
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
Remember that railroad lines in Europe do not follow a straight line to your destination. They go through hub cities which are often many miles off to the side.
That makes travel slower from point to point.
When you find your route, choose a city half way and do a google search using the city name plus 'sights' or 'attractions' to learn what there is to see there. Do that if no one gives you an acceptable suggestion here.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
You don't say what you like, so no guarantees on the oohs and aahs. But there are many charming towns in Burgundy or Alsace that would not be huge detours, depending on your Swiss destination.
I would at least spend one night, though, or it would just not be worth it. If you don't want to do that you could stop enroute for a few hours at the Fontenay Abbey near Montbard, which is lovely. The big cities, such as Dijon and Strasbourg, are less rewarding (in my opinion) for a quick visit.
So, you could read a little about Colmar (in Alsace), Beaune (in Burgundy), and the Fontenay Abbey (near Montbard) and see if they interest you.
Posted by
COCONUT CREEK, CARENCRO, FL., LA., USA
152 posts
My favorite place in France is Chominix. It is a beautiful little mountain town. We drove from Paris to Chomnix. We stayed at the Hotel Eden. It was a short walk from the town. We loved the room, the food was wonderful. It was my daughters birthday and we had a wonderful dinner. Three of us took the cable car up Mt. Blanc. The scenery was wonderful.
The people at the hotel sent me a message after 9-11. It made me feel so good.
We then went to the Interlaken area in Switzerland.