One of the things I really love is to look at old photos of nice trips and to read about my experiences in my travel diaries (nostalgia, nostalgia...). It's always funny to read about things I had already forgotten and for one moment, it takes me back to the destination. So it did today when I looked at the photos of my two trips to Lyon (France) in 2014 and 2015 (next time: hopefully 2018!!). And because the weather is so bad outside today and I'm in the mood for writing, I decided to write my first throwback-post now...
Lyon is the 3rd biggest city in France but not as known as Paris. Too bad, because it is truly wonderful! I love the little alleys, the hidden passages (called Traboules), the fantastic bouchons (little restaurants with yummy food), the cute little shops, the rivers Rhone and Saone and the ships that are "parked" there and on which you can have a drink in the evening - there is so much to do and see there! Ooh, and while writing this, I already feel my feet getting itchier and itchier! :-)
So here are some photos and my tips jut in case you're lucky enough to visit Lyon soon or you're planning a trip to this wonderful French town!
If you want to get a first overview of Lyon, make sure you visit the Fourvière-hill. You can take the little "funiculaire" to get up there or walk. A walk will take you 30 minutes - but it's totally worth it! Up there, you have a fantastic view of the city. Up there you will also find the Notre-Dame cathedral (nooo, I'm not confused, it is indeed the same name as the one in Paris!) which is really nice to see.
Up on the Fourvière-Hill you can also find an old amphitheatre with a fantastic view over Lyon. It is called Parc Archéologique de Fourvière an in the summertime you can visit a concert there. Quite cool, don't you think?
My favourite thing to do in Lyon is to stroll around the old town, enjoy its atmosphere, the nice cafés and restaurants and the wonderful shops. Compared to Paris, it is less hectic and for me much more "french". Or what would you say?
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| A café next to the Cathedral St-Jean |
If you want to go shopping (trust me, you will!) check out the Rue de la République. There you find a lot of great shops (from H&M to Louis Vuitton). For souvenirs and shops with typical food you better stroll around Vieux Lyon. Make sure you have enough time!
Once tired of shopping you can relax in the park Place Antonin Poncet, just next to the old town and the shoppin streets. There you also find the "Only Lyon" sign which is great for photos (yes, I'm a tourist, too!!). In summer it is great because you will find little water fountains which will cool you down. Also fantastic to cool down: eating an ice cream of "Terre adélice" (1 place de la Baleine). Remembering the huge crowd waiting in front of the shop, I'm quite sure that this is Lyon's number one ice cream shop! The assortment is huge - from vanille to roquefort, from caramel to wasabi-mustard - your choice! And to tell you that just everything is fantastic is maybe not really helpful...
One thing I loved in Lyon was the fact that there are secret passages hidden everywhere. They are called "Traboules" in French and connect the houses in the old town. They were used as shortcuts and are very fascinating to see! They make Lyon a bit scary - or who knows what is hidden in the 400 traboules you can find there? :-) If you really want to explore the traboules, make sure you book a tour. Because most of those hidden passages you would never find without a guide! :-)
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| Exploring Lyon's traboules |
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| Who knows where you come out here! |
And off course, when you're in Lyon make sure you walk along one of the two rivers Rhone and Saone - or as the French would say - the three rivers - Rhone, Saone and Beaujolais! :-)
If you have more time, make sure you visit also the new part of Lyon - Confluence! It is quite cool! I didn't visit the Museum Confluence but I was already impressed by it's architecture. And on top of the terrace of the museum you have a great view over Lyon and the river (no clue which one of the 3! :-) ).
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| Confluence Museum |
Did you ever hear about "Musée de Tony Garnier"? Well... If you think of a museum now, you're only half-right. In fact the "Musée de Tony Garnier" is a neighborhood with a lot of painted houses, inspired by the architect Tony Garnier. If you have time and if you like street art, take the metro and visit it, it is quite cool to see!
Another funny thing to do is to visit "le tube". We had quite long to find it - it doesn't seem to be a tourist magnet and even the local people we asked didn't know about it! "Le tube" is a 1,6 km long highway-tunnel that is not used for cars anymore and that is now open for pedestrians and cyclists. For the famous "Fete des lumières" it was equipped with light- and videoinstallations. This is why during your crossing you will feel as if you were in an aqarium or a zoo! Funny to do!
One more fantastic thing that I really recommend is a visit in the Croix rouge - neighborhood (you get there with the metro). There you find other wall-paintings. I was fascinated, it looked so realistic!!
After an exhausting day in Lyon, I'm sure you're up for a drink. So what about a cocktail
at the bar "Le melhor" in the Sofitel hotel (20 quai Dr Gailleton)? A fantastic bar with
a fantastic view at the 8th flow of the Sofitel hotel. There is no menu, you can pick
your drink via iPad instead. Our Mojito-variations were awesome (not very cheap
though...). A MUST for my next visit!
After a great dinner in Lyon's old town make sure you explore Lyon's nightlife! I loved the cities' narrow streets in the dark! We weren't looking for clubs (I'm sure they exist!) - but seriously: Who needs clubs if you can sit outside on a boat on the river and enjoying drinks and great views there? At the shore of the Rhone-river you find a lot of partyboats called "Péniches". When it's getting dark, whole Lyon seems to come down to the river to have a drink, to chat and to dance. Very cozy, very nice!
And now I let you enjoy your evening!
Bonne nuit et à bientôt, Lyon!
