Room With A View: Lyon

View of Vieux Lyon from hotel room. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

We’ve had some intermittent rain here in Lyon, but that hasn’t dampened our enjoyment of this city so far. We did a lot of walking yesterday, starting with the Roman ruins and the absolutely stunning Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviére. No, we didn’t climb all of the stairs. We rode the St-Just funicular to the first stop and walked from there.

Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviére, Lyon

Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere cathedral in Lyon France. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Though the current structure was built in the 19th century, this hill has been a sacred site for millenia. The mosaic work inside is breathtaking. If you have any time to spend in Lyon, this is a must-see!

Ceiling of Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere in Lyon. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Mosaic wall panel at Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Floor mosaic at Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

Gardens below Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

We walked back down the hill through gardens below the Basilique. I think le Monsieur snapped this as I was about to sneeze. I’ve been doing a lot of that, and picked up nasal spray at the pharmacie that’s supposed to help. The weather’s been warm but not hot during the day, and cools down at night. Lightweight layers are working well.

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch*, then spent a couple of hours at the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Another wonderful collection, including some favorite Impressionists.

We’re off early this morning to see Les Halles de Lyon, and hopefully the textile and Lumiere museums. We passed some interesting-looking silk shops yesterday that I’d like to get back to as well.

*We’ve had some amazing meals so far! I’ll be doing a recap of our recommended restaurants at the end of the trip.

À bientôt!

 

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12 Comments

  1. Silk shops! I always hit fabric stores when abroad. You could buy some silk and have scarves made for a fraction of the price of a ready-made one….

  2. The silk shops in Lyon… sigh. I bought a beautiful scarf there about 10 years ago. Such a beautiful city. Nice to revisit with you!

  3. Wow, the mosaic tiles! Incredible! The photo of you is wonderful-I thought you were laughing not sneezing! Sounds like you packed all the right clothes! I am looking forward to your next post!

  4. So fun to see your pictures and remember my trip. Beautiful! I can’t wait to hear about the silk shops. I didn’t know about them when I was there. So glad you are enjoying your trip.

  5. Thanks for taking the time to post! What a wonderful trip we’re on! (I’m traveling vicariously)

  6. I love the first photo as it shows the difference in dominant colours between Lyon and Paris; Lyon is more similar to northern Italy. Not the true Midi, but the light is in-between Paris light and Provençal light. Don’t forget la Croix rousse, the “working hill” while Fourvière is the “praying hill” – an old working-class area (famous for the Canut silk-workers revolt in the early 1800s and as the fortress of the WW2 Resistance) and like many such areas, quite “hip” nowadays.

  7. We love Lyon, just discovered it for the first time last fall. If you’re still there.. try Au Petit Bouchon Chez Georges. One of the best meals of my life.