My husband and I are plotting our big western European vacation for September. We have our flights and are starting with five days in Paris. From Paris, we're planning to head east to Alsace for a few days. I'd like to stop for a day at a city in-between Paris and Alsace (doesn't have to be geographically in-between, but more or less). Right now I'm trying to decide between Orleans, Reims, and Dijon. I have a long-standing fascination with Jeanne D'Arc which is giving Orleans a push...but I just can't choose!
Sing me their merits (or demerits, if you choose)
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
What Bets said, but omitting Beaune.
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
10625 posts
The Last Judgement painting by Rogier Van Der Weyden in the Hospice is worth the trip to Beaune. Other than that, Dijon has a lot to offer and is way too overlooked on this website.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Okay, go see the Hospice and have a beer on the square that's really a triangle....and then, for Pete's sake, press on.
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
If you are driving, I'd suggest a small town stopover. Vezeley or thereabouts, or Semur-en-Aixios. None of these are enroute, but Orleans is seriously in the wrong direction, by the way.
Posted by
San Francisco/Marin County
9436 posts
Semur-en-Auxois, as Adam suggested, is my favorite small town in France. It's part of the scenic drive in Burgundy Rick recommends, the drive is wonderful.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Are you renting a car? It's great to have one in Burgundy. You can take the train into Dijon and there are 2-3 major rental car agencies right in the lower level of the train station. The rental cars are just outside. The wine trails and back roads of Burgundy are very scenic. We were fortunate to drive around a large part of the Region. We did stay in Beaune. Actually, we rented the car almost 2 weeks earlier in Nimes and drove 2,000km around France before turning in the car at Dijon. All was wonderful.
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Orelans really has nothing to offer than a Jeanne D'Arc connection. Reims is maybe closer in the direction you are going and fits better if you only have a day. You can see the cathedral where the king was crowned thanks to Jeanne. Dijon - and definitely Beaune -would have my vote for better place to visit, but you really need more than a day IMO. My favorite Jeanne D'Arc city is in the opposite direction: Rouen. You can trace her final steps and see where she was burned at the stake and the modern church that's built there.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles
6 posts
Thanks everyone! This is my first trip to Europe and I really appreciate your speedy and thoughtful advice. Sounds like Dijon is the winner. We won't be driving in France, just walking and public trans. And yes, I wish I had more time, but isn't that always the kicker? Alright, time to find a hotel in Dijon ;)