Lyon and Vienne

To France - again!

We packed early and after another meagre breakfast, walked to the lake for our last look. After four rather miserable weather days, out came the sunshine. Caught the TGV for Lyon at 12:41 and sat in an almost empty 1st class coach with a group of six very loud and talkative Dutch in front of us. At Lyon we did a metro change and then at Bellecour, we set out for the hotel. It was hot!!! The sun had decided to shine brightly and we walked and walked the long way to our hotel. A very quick change into cool clothes and we were out again to check out our area. The hotel was only a few steps from the Saone River in a narrow laneway. On the corner was our evening eating place - Le Lyonaise Bouchon. We wandered across the footbridge and around old buildings in Vieux Lyon before changing for dinner. More vin rouge and a decent piece of steak for David and veal for me. Not big on greens!

Lyon

The Soane River

Saturday morning and the streets were alive with people. We headed for the Tourist Office, the caught the train to Vienne. This historic roman city is well worth a visit for its many ancient sites and the amazing archaeology found in The Old Church of Saint-Pierre. We walked the tourist walk, found by following the bronze markers in the pavement, and then side tracked to climb the steep hill to The Pipet. From here we had a spectacular view stretching out across the Rhone to the distant hills. A part of the walk was through the market and it was amazing to see the variety of goods for sale. Sadly, I bought only three postcards and a fridge magnet at the station. Merci beaucoup to Joelle who suggested we visit this city.

Vienne from The Pipet

Vienne street

Vienne town houses

Mosaic in The old church of Saint Pierre

Market day in Vienne

Back by train to Lyon where we once again, drank vin rouge (no, we are not closet drinkers) and ate more cheese and biscuits and chocolate. Half way through typing up my blog, I ran out of internet time. Bed to the throbbing sound of a band somewhere outside.

Our second day in Lyon was spent looking at the city sights. We wandered through the Sunday markets of fabulous stalls of fruit, vegetables and flowers, food of all types and smells and bought a half kilo of delicious cherries. Then up on the funicular to the Basilica high above the city. Here we arrived just in time for Mass and in the Crypt underneath this beautiful gothic building. A nun led the singing in a voice that had to be that of an angel. Goosebump material! We then headed down the hill to the Roman amphitheatre and odeon. Here a practice session with horses on a huge stage was in progress. Both sites were being set up for entertainment and I noticed that Bryan Ferry would be there some time this season. Should I stay on a little longer??

Market Day in Lyon

Down the steep hill we walked and into Vieux Lyon where we wandered the streets filled with people, crossed over the footbridge and back to the hotel for a short time before we headed out to lunch. The afternoon was spent on the water where we did the cruise along the Saone to its meeting with the Rhone, along the Rhone for some more sights and then back. More wandering and this time along the Saone river bank until we crossed and headed for the Hotel de Ville. Set in a large square, filled with crowds eating in restaurants and walking with families, this beautiful building with gold decoration was worth a visit. On we went back along the bank of the Rhone to our hotel for our last meagre meal of biscuits and cheese. No vin rouge left. So sad!

The Rhone River from cruise boat