Lyon is the first French city I spent any amount of time in.
I’ve been fortunate to travel to Lyon three times. A city that invites you to stroll, I felt comfortable from my first stroll through the Place Bellecour. The square is massive and people love walking there, sitting to visit, or experience an event.
Lyon is a place that encourages you to meander in the most random manner. You’ll eat well! When you see chocolate ravioli on the menu, try it. Exploration is the name of the game in this cobblestone city.
On many of European trips, I have map in hand and Lyon holds little chance of getting lost.
Grand Old Hotels are the Best
My first night in Lyon I stayed at the Globe et Cecil. It is a grand old hotel reminiscent of New Orleans, evoking images of women carrying parasols and wearing kid gloves. The Globe et Cecil is located between the two rivers—the Rhone and the Saone. This is a perfect location for exploring either direction. The room was eclectically decorated and I loved the shuttered full length window with a tiny “balcony” space. The Globe et Cecil is one of the most vintage hotels I’ve enjoyed, so remains extra special to me.
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 built them with appeal and charm. Their buildings last and centuries-old structures get repurposed.
Ah to the Beignets—larger and more flavorful that what we’d tried in New Orleans. Who isn’t wild for French pastries?
Lyon Invites You to Welcome the Unexpected
One evening I roamed the streets with a friend. We stumbled across a college student who tasked me with shoving a pie plate full of shaving cream into his face. The colleague explained that they do this when 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 doing this! Who knew it would be so hard as an adult to do something that comes naturally to kids? Food fights, right?
I took a ferry—don’t skip riding one—across the Soane River. On the way is an intricately designed, mind-boggling orange building, and had lunch serenaded by a French Elvis. He was good even if his Elvis was a bit more country than the original.
Lyon’s Roman Ruins and Extravagant Basilica
I took the funicular up to the basilica Notre-Dame of Fourvière. My friend 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 ornate and beautiful.
Roaming away from the basilica, we discovered Roman ruins! Before some trips, I read like mad about the area and make lists of things to do. For others, I plunge in and see what I can find. Discovering Lyon’s grandly preserved Roman site was a marvelous surprise!
Lyon’s Incredible Dining Delights
Look at this food—who thinks to design mashed potatoes? Oh, those French!
We Love the Trains of France
I. Love. Trains.
I. Love. Trains. Have I made that clear in my blogs yet? I could give up my car forever if I lived somewhere with proper trains and trolleys. The station in Lyon is only a walk away from every hotel I stayed at and easy to navigate. The scarcity of elevators and escalators leads to smaller suitcases when traveling.
More France
My stay on the outskirts of Paris, near the Arc de Defense, was only one night. That trip was unmemorable except for taking the subway to the Eiffel Tower. Although when asked, my French friend said, “It’s a tower. It’s metal,” the Eiffel is totally worth seeing. Don’t skip it.
Take Me Back to Lyon
Lyon is the place I want to go again. I’d like to spend a week walking and exploring and seeing what I saw before and seeing 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.
By all means, visit Paris—I’m up for traveling there and indulging in museums.
But don’t skip Lyon. You’ll go once and find, like I did, that Lyon is infinitely repeatable.
When do you want to go?
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Read: Then there’s the 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 was a very nice trip! Your friend….
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!