suggest somewhere in rural france

[Mr Herbert]

Hi, im taking my wife to visit her grandmother in Norfolk for a few weeks and am planning to catch the train to Paris for a few nights in the middle. Can someone suggest some region of france, preferably not too many hours from Paris via train, that we can spend another few nights in.

Criteria are: quiet, nice scenery and good culinary tradition (doesnt have to be haute, just good food). We will be going in late May. Mountains are good although it may still be a bit cold for them.

Thanks in advance

 

[HHD]

Thanks to the very civilised TGV (high speed train) France's regions are easily accessible (or rather, the larger cities in those regions are: You can hire a car or take a regional train from the main station, usually).

Alsace - Strasbourg is a bit over two hours from Paris on the TGV. Fabulous wine country, fascinating history, great cuisine. Steep and hilly rather than mountainous. Strasbourg is a wonderful city (make sure the European Parliament is not in session before you book hotels, though) and you can get to Colmar and some of the other historic villages in the region quite easily from there. The wine villages can be busy in summer and on bank holidays.

Lyon - again, not long from Paris on the TGV. Perhaps France's premier "food town" though it's a fairly big city and might not be exactly what you're looking for. Mountains are nearby.

Beaune - in the heart of Burgundy. Not mountainous, but great food and wine.

Consider the Jura region - distinctive cuisine, beautiful scenery TGV to Dole. Quite remote and quiet, usually.