Train from Paris to Pisa or Florence/place to stay overnight in Switzerland

Just a thought that Switzerland is not really on the train route from Paris to Pisa or Florence. Most trains from Paris to Northern Italy go via Dijon and Turin (Torino). They don't stop in Switzerland. You can do this but it's likely that you would first go from Paris to Basel or Bern and then to a place like Interlaken or Lauterbrunnen for your Alps stay. Then, you would travel south to Florence and then to Pisa or vis-a-versa. You have a lot of train time here. If you can be a bit more specific, I can improve on the train routes and times.

Our main objective is to take a short break after Paris and show the kids the Alps. Would a town in Northern Italy be better?

Jeanette, CLICK HERE to see a map of where the alps are located. You will be going through the alps on your train ride from Paris to Northern Italy.

Since you have a long time to plan, I have an off-the-wall suggestion. This would require that you are not in a BIG hurry to get to Florence. The train ride from Paris to Florence will take you 13.0hrs-15.0hrs. depending on the train run you select. There's even an Artesia night train with no train changes to Florence. But, you don't get to see the alps at night.

Here's the suggestion: 1) take the train/gondola from Paris to Murren in Switzerland. This is where you can see the alps on steroids. (You and your family will not forget this visit). If you depart Paris-Est on the 8:22 TGV to Interlaken Ost. 5.5hrs later, with one train change, you are there. 2) Buy your train/gondola/cog train tickets to Murren. 45 minutes later, you are in Murren. Total time invested thus far is about 6.5hrs. 3) Stay at the Chalet Fontana. Very reasonable and they have a family suite. Try for two nights if your trip can afford it. Just book well in advance. Tim from Knoxville can give you great scoop on this place. 4) Depart Murren for Florence. 50 minutes back to Interlaken Ost. Then, a local train to Spiez. Finally, you transfer to the high-speeds to Florence (will include another train change). About 7.0hrs.

Thus, I have routed you from Paris to Florence via Murren. Train travel time is about the same as the Artestia train only you will have more train changes and will perhaps spend a bit more train money. But, you won't forget it.

There certainly are Alps in northern Italy!!
Remember the Winter Olympics in Turino?
People also take the gondola at Mont Blanc over to the Italian Alps!
And the Alps start at the northern part of Lake Come and much of the train ride through that pass is in Italy, not Switzerland!!!

We are thinking out the same thing also. Going from Paris to Zermatt(matterhorn) and then to Rome.
I believe matterhorn would be a good stop in switzerland. Then catch a night train to florence.

By the map that I linked above, I can see the error of my ways. There are alps in Northern Italy. I have removed the sentence that say that there aren't any.

Thank you all for the information. I like the idea of spending two nights in Murren. I will research that option. I will also look into the Matterhorn suggestion. Thank you again for taking the time to help me.