France – December

I was in Paris last December around Christmas.

All I can say is that it felt even more busier than prepandemic and everything was booked up. Plan ahead and reserve ahead.

I think Nancy is a gem, but it is only worth an afternoon — as you’ll be in Strasbourg.

And I think there was a TGV between Strasbourg and Lyon so you can bypass Paris to form a triangle.

Re Strasbourg check for the when the EU Parliament has a session there as it takes up a lot of hotel rooms etc etc

Paris – Strasbourg is a particularly fast TGV line and takes you through Champagne, which is prettier in the warmer months than December but still lovely. SNCF do several sales over the course of the year, usually 2-4 months in advance of travel, so it’s worth keeping an eye out or signing up for ticket alerts.