French city trip from Geneva - where?

[shirt]

Flying into Geneva at the end of the month. I’ll be staying in Lausanne as usual but we would like a weekend away at the beginning, no more than 2hrs drive from Geneva airport. Thinking Dijon, Lyon, Grenoble, but really looking for a steer on which would be the better bet or indeed a better alternative.

Good food, good cocktail bars (that open late yet aren’t party central), the usual.

Guess I’m just trying to save myself some googling, this isn’t a part of the world I’ve explored much at all.

[4Q]

Annecy, 2nd choice Dijon. Yvoire is worth a visit too although probably only overnight

Edited to add: just seen you’re in Lausanne, if you’re going in July the jazz festival is on in Montreux which is a little further round lake Geneva

Edited by 4Q on Wednesday 14th June 20:21

[Puggit]

Checking if Annecy has been mentioned... oh good

Lyons would be good if you like your gastronomie...

[interstellar]

Without reading the answers first I thought of Annecy. Stunning place.

[RC1807]

Annecy, sad news recently, but definitely worth a visit.

Lyon's about 3h away....

Mountain resorts in Summer are worth a visit. Especially if there's a lake there at altitude, too.

[Lotusgone]

I quite liked Basel. Flew into the airport, headed straight out to Mulhouse to visit the Schlumpf collection. I had some time to spare the next day, went back to the airport and walked into Switzerland.

Some interesting buildings and views of the Rhine, a pleasant way to kill a bit of time.

[Dg504]

Dijon or Besançon will do you a nice lunch and drinks but will be more like 3 hours.

I’d also recommend driving round and up to Chatel or Verbier if mountains are your thing - a lunch at altitude is always enjoyable, 30 degrees down at the lake is 18/19 at 1800m. Call ahead to check it’s open but the Haute Bise above Chatel is a wonderful spot and you can drive right up