O/N stop on way to Musée National de l'Automobile

[DeuceDeuce]

Heading off on a road trip to Slovenia next month via Baden Baden & Innsbrook, then Salzburg and Stuttgart on the way home.

I’d like to visit Musée National de l'Automobile in France on my second day before heading back north through the Black Forest to Baden Baden but not sure where to stay on my first night.

I’ll be driving from Calais and southern Luxembourg seems to be in the right place and appeals as I’ve never been there. Ideally I’m looking for a picturesque small town that has a bit of life. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[RC1807]

All towns in Luxembourg are small, but not many in southern Luxembourg are picturesque….. it was the industrial part and there’s not *that* much life in them, IME. (Save for big concerts at Rockhal in Belval, but they sell out quickly.)
Of course, depends what your definition of life is.

Usually the weather is better in May, but don’t overlook all the public holidays. I think there are 3 or 4 in May!

If you’re not staying in Luxembourg City, I’d suggest Mondorf les Bains, Remich or Grevenmacher on the Moselle. When the weather is good, the evenings are livelier and there are plenty of terraces for cafes and restaurants.

(Luxembourg resident and national.)

[DeuceDeuce]

Thanks for that. Will take a look at those suggestions but maybe I’d be better off in France.

Will check those bank holiday dates too.

[RC1807]

Another 45 min on the motorway and there's Metz on the A31.... don't go to Thionville. That is a sthole.
2h beyond Lux you'll be in Strasbourg, which is really nice. I like Strasbourg.

[Lotusgone]

From my recollection of visiting Schlumpf, Mulhouse is pleasant if maybe quiet - but Basel is only a short train ride away, and that's a great place to visit.

[Rumdoodle]

Lotusgone said:

From my recollection of visiting Schlumpf, Mulhouse is pleasant if maybe quiet - but Basel is only a short train ride away, and that's a great place to visit.

Seconded. I visited Schlumpf last year and it was wonderful, then under coercion detoured to the design museum in Basel, which was not my bag at all but turned out to be great.

[mikef]

Colmar is nice with some good restaurants, about 7 hours from Calais

[ecsrobin]

mikef said:

Colmar is nice with some good restaurants, about 7 hours from Calais

This is where we stayed when visiting the museum. Some good wine and restaurants there with a bit of a Germanic twist as I believe it’s been back and forwards between countries over the years.

[mikef]

I remember eating well at Fer Rouge in Colmar, but it’s lost it’s Michelin star since then…

[bennno]

DeuceDeuce said:

Heading off on a road trip to Slovenia next month via Baden Baden & Innsbrook, then Salzburg and Stuttgart on the way home.

I’d like to visit Musée National de l'Automobile in France on my second day before heading back north through the Black Forest to Baden Baden but not sure where to stay on my first night.

I’ll be driving from Calais and southern Luxembourg seems to be in the right place and appeals as I’ve never been there. Ideally I’m looking for a picturesque small town that has a bit of life. Any suggestions? Thanks.

All of Alsace is lovely, we like Riqwihr. Hotel le schonenburg is good, short stroll of loads of restaurants - not far from museum.