We traveled by high speed train from Paris to Lyon on Sunday, October 22nd.
Our Viking Longboat was docked in the heart of town awaiting our arrival. Following lunch we strolled around the heart of the city. The day, gloomy and overcast, threatened rain but we were lucky and avoided it.
We crossed the University Bridge as the boat was docked near the university and across the Rhône from the old town.
This is Place Gailleton which is named in honor of Antoine Gailleton, a doctor from Lyon.
As we moved along we found ourselves at Place Antonin Poncet. In the background is the Flower Tree, a sculpture created by the Korean artist Jeong Hwa Choi.
Here is a closer look.
Looking in the direction of the university.
We started the next day, the 23rd, with a drive up the hill to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere.
Built between 1872 and 1896 it overlooks the city and is located on ground that originally was the Roman forum. For more information about the basilica you can visit its website at https://www.fourviere.org/en/discover/notre-dame-de-fourviere/basilica-2/
Additional views of the facade.
The interior is decorated with mosaic scenes from the Bible. I had a dickens of a time capturing them, as I couldn’t move around and the reflections off of the mosaics was very difficult.
I had a little better luck with this one.
The ceiling was lovely, have a look.
Two views of the city from our high perch. The building in the center is nicknamed “the Pencil” and the tall building to its left is “the Eraser.”
We boarded our bus to return to the old town and I took this photo as we were driving along.
Our guide walked us through the old town and brought us to one of the Traboule which are a labyrinth of corridors that enabled movement through the city for merchants, silk workers and, during the Second World War, the resistance. My photos are not the best but enjoy our brief secret journey.
Here we are having just entered the Traboule. As we moved along we came to a courtyard. It is the second photo and as the courtyard was tiny my photo looks up.
For more information about the Traboule check out this link. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traboule
Our guide took us to a silk merchant’s shop. Historically, Lyon was a major center for silk production. This shop still has a workshop in the city. Here are a couple of photos taken in the shop. The last one is of JoAnn with her new scarf.
Silk worms.
A blue door that’s been around for years.
Vegetables and fruit.
City street in old city. Goodbye Lyon.
