Lyon is the first French city I spent time in.
I’ve taken three trips–so far.
I felt comfortable from the first trip and more comfortable each subsequent trip. It is a place that encourages you to walk, eat well, and explore.
The river appears green from the multitude of trees.
On many of our European trips, I was alone most days because Alex was working. Alone or with him, both ways were fine with me in this city. Walking around by myself was easy. With map in hand, there was little chance of getting lost.
Dining area
Grand old hotels are the best
Our first night in the city we stayed at the Globe et Cecil, a grand old hotel that reminded me of New Orleans and women carrying parasols and wearing kid gloves. It’s located between the two rivers—the Rhone and the Saone. It’s a great location for exploring either direction. The room was eclectically decorated and I loved the shuttered full-length window with it’s tiny “balcony” space. It was to be one of our most vintage hotels of all our trips, so remains extra special to me.
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- Globe et Cecil mini balcony
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- Globe et Cecil staircase
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- Globe et Cecil eclectic decor
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- Globe et Cecil eclectic decor
Lyon has a huge shopping district, with stores tucked into centuries old buildings. In the states, we tear down old buildings and start over. In Europe, they made them pretty and to last in the first place, so they continually get repurposed.
Malleval on the Emile Zola–mustard purchase
Alex was able to get his much-loved Beignet—larger and more flavorful that what we’d tried in New Orleans. He’s wild for pastries, so this was delightful for him.
The unexpected is welcome
Wandering the streets one evening with a colleague, I was tasked with shoving a pie plate full of shaving cream into the face of a college student. The colleague explained that they do this when they are starting an advanced degree program as a way to earn money. You pay them and then get to Three Stooges the “pie.” I had the most difficult time actually doing this! Who knew it would be so much harder as an adult than when we were kids and brother and I would food fight?
Me, slamming a pie
We took a ferry, discovered an intricately designed, mind-boggling orange building, and were serenaded by a French Elvis. He was quite good even if his Elvis was a bit more country than the original.
Cosmic orange building
French Elvis being a hound dog
We took the funicular up to the Notre Dame—another colleague explained that every city has a Notre Dame even though the famous one is in Paris. The church has two churches—a top one and a lower one. We couldn’t go in the top for some reason, but the lower one—my gosh it was beautiful.
Funicular
The lower church
Roaming more, we discovered Roman ruins! Before some trips, we read like mad about the area and make lists of things to do. For others, we plunge in and see what we can find. Discovering this grandly preserved Roman site was a marvelous surprise!
Roman Ruins, Lyon, France
Roman Ruins, Lyon, France
Roman Ruins, Lyon, France
Dining delights
Look at this food—who thinks to design mashed potatoes? Oh, those French!
Pretty mashed potatoes
We love trains.
I. Love. Trains.
Have I made that clear yet? I could give up my car forever if we lived somewhere with proper trains and trolleys. I love trains. The station in Lyon is only a walk away from every hotel we stayed at and easy to navigate. The scarcity of elevators and escalators leads to smaller suitcases when traveling.
Walking to the train station, you see the back of this grand hotel
More France…
Our stay on the outskirts of Paris, near the Arc de Defense, was fine, but unmemorable except for a subway ride to the Eiffel Tower during which we got separated from each other…or thought we did, winding up on opposite ends of the same long subway car.
Lyon, however, is the place I want to visit again. I’d like to spend a week there just walking and exploring and seeing what I saw before and seeing all new sights. The city is lovely and inviting. The people are friendly and gracious, their default personality seems to be kindness. The food is delectable with every bite.
Creators of chocolate ravioli
Dessert-Chocolate Ravioli
Lyon is infinitely repeatable.
When do you want to go?
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Read: Then there’s coffee…
Have never been to Lyon. From the looks of it, I think I should try to find me way there.
From the pictures I have seen of your Paris adventures, Ken, I think you would enjoy Lyon very much. It is a small, big town. The architecture is amazing.
Oh thank you for sharing this lovely experience! I really would love to go to Lyon sometime… I have not been. My favorite was you slamming that pie…priceless!
Get thee to Lyon, Jacquie! Is this one of those times when I can say: “You should go,” and not feel badly about saying it? Lyon is a favorite and I’d go back anytime.
Hi Rose, what an interesting way for college kids to make money. They should try that here in America. 🙂 it is amazing the difference you notice in Paris and then in smaller cities, isn’t it? We did too.
Susan, it was SO hard for me to work up the courage to slap that “pie” into his face. Had I been an 8 year old boy, I’m betting it would have been easier! He and his friend were laughing at me because it took such a long time to work up the courage! I have a friend whose son will be starting grad school next year, maybe I’ll introduce this idea to him!
Yes, Toulouse was also enjoyable–relaxed, very friendly, and the food!
Ahem, in the scheme of things, I have to acknowledge that I posted this by accident today. I’ve been cleaning up my website and for whatever reason, this post from July of 2014 refused to be found except with me signed in as the administrator.
Since I love Lyon so very much, I went ahead and reposted it!
It is a beautiful, safe city with a lot to offer. It is probably overshadowed by Paris, but it shouldn’t be. Visit!
It looks beautiful!
It truly is!
What beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing. My father visited there years ago and really enjoyed it. Too bad, I couldn’t make the trip. =(
I hope you get to go…Lyon is truly lovely and so easy to get around. Oh and the food!