East France - places to visit

[LittleEsmeWeatherwax]

Am trying to recommend places worthy of a visit to a friend who will be driving through to Belgium in the summer - historical interest, pretty villages, vineyards etc.

Does anyone have any ideas?!

Actually, extend that from Calais to Provence!

Dijon - the loveliest small city I have ever been to.

We stop there often as DS (adult) lives in France & it is a good half way point for us.

Elegant, inspiring, beautiful & all on a human scale.

The Musee des beaux arts is one of the finest art collections I've ever seen outside of a capital city..

Amazing choice of restaurants & lovely shopping & great wine.

Yes to Dijon but, also, Epernay was a really nice surprise when we made an overnight stop there.

Orleans.

Besancon, Ornans, cascades du herrison

Grenoble is beautiful and the museum of automatons is the most bonkers place ever.

Would second both Dijon & Grenoble, Annecy is very attractive but very busy. We had a holiday in the Vecors a few years ago which we really enjoyed, it has beautiful scenery.

Laon and Reims (I prefer Laon but Reims is bigger and has more apart from the cathedral).