The tale starts on Friday afternoon where we met Graham and Megan at the train station. We got a tour of town, walking through amazing market places, where there were endless number of different cheeses. There were meats and fish and wonderful fresh fruit and veggies and still more different cheeses. Yummy and it didn't stop there as there where glorious lolly shops, chocolate shops and pastry stores on every corner. It was very hungry making.
We first headed for their hard won flat. It took Megan and Graham about three months of arguing with the French to get a flat that is only a holiday rental normally. I don't think either of us would be that brave, I think Ben and I would say they don't want us and leave. But they won, after putting money down only to find out the flat had been given to someone else. They have a cute little place like the one we had in Newtown. With the loft bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and joint lounge/dining area.
We set down our bags and headed off on a shopping adventure. Here we got our first try on the metro, it is amazingly easy and fun. I would recommend it to all even if you don't speak or read french. Most of it you and figure out and the ticket machines usually have an english option. We went over the lovely rivers running through Lyon to the biggest supermarket I have ever seen. You could barely spot the far wall it was so big. It did not just sell food though, you could buy a stove if you happen to lack one or maybe some building material if you fancy knocking out some bookshelves or even redo the wiring in your house, which just between you and me I think much of Lyon's wiring needs doing, not to mention some plumbing.
The shop..
They do love their roller blading here, they have organised groups roaming the streets at night..
After stocking up on cheeses, pastries oh and some healthy stuff for dinner we went back to catch up on all the gossip of moving to and living in France. Quite a tale of adventure and adversity but with a triumphant ending. We even tried out some french wine with dinner, always an experience when you know little to nothing about the areas. It was ok! and dinner and dessert was wonderful. Once the pastries were polished off we went to sleep, gathering energy for our new day.
Exploring Lyon, we set of with our all day metro tickets, love the metro. Headed for the very top of Lyon where you can see for miles. We got a cable car up to the top, even the stations are steep..
There is a stunning Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière at the top..
as well as an ancient Roman ruins. Lugdunum, as this area was known, was officially recognized by the Roman senate in 43 BC. Parts of it live on today on Fourvière hill, and can be reached by a funicular or on foot. There is a large theater (oldest in France), which is still used for events today.
We finished the area with a tour with a walk through the streets of the old Lyon. They also have these great little tunnels down the city that were used by the silk traders. They were a bit to spooky for me though.
Walking around we got to see the very surprising walls about the city. They have taken advertising to a new level. Companies sponsor the works but they are truely groovy as you will see
We broke up our adventuring with a pastry stop with coffee and the contiuned after dinner with a night tour of the lights. Very beautiful..
They have something very interesting called touch parking, I think I could come up with more colourful language then touch if it was my car...
All too soon it was time to say goodbye. After a super tasty pastry brekky we were off to the train again. We would also like to say thank again to our lovely hosts for a wonderful holiday and hope to see them soon.
2 comments:
What a nice story.
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It was great to see you both again. Thanks for a fun weekend and positive review. ;-)
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