Day 15 - Avignon to Lyon
We are tired! But we made it to Lyon! Everything went smoothly as far as making our trains and getting to our Airbnb on the metro, but the train ride itself was like a Saturday Night Live skit. We didn’t have seat assignments because when we bought the tickets it wasn’t an option. It was just get on the train and find a seat. So we thought that would be the case for everyone. Not so. We roamed through a number of cars quite full with people that had reserved seats, so every time we found a vacant seat and started getting settled in someone would come up and say it was their seat. Well at least that’s what we thought they were saying because hardly anyone spoke English. I get it. We’re in France. We can’t expect them to speak English. Luckily the train ride wasn’t super long as we ended up standing for part of the ride. We weren’t the only ones. And then don’t get me started on people with suitcases as big as their bodies! When we were getting close to our destination we started making our way to the doors, as the train doesn’t stop long and you have to get off fast so the people getting on can get on. When we got to the area between the cars where the doors are people had piled up their humongous suitcases and totally blocked the exits. So that the people needing to get off had no where to go. They literally just dumped their suitcases there and took their seats. At that point my patience was a little thin so I was tempted when the doors opened at the station to just push all the suitcases out the door. So that’s why my number one rule for travel is to travel light. Nothing bigger than a carryon!
I took this picture of the huge suitcases piled up at the doors. It was ridiculous! But somehow we managed to get off. Welcome to Lyon!
Lyon seems cool, but today we took it easy and got a little settled and headed out to get our bearings. It really feels like fall here. We went from shorts to wearing our jackets today, but we planned for it so no worries. Lyon is considered to be France’s most historic and culturally important city after Paris. It’s also really known for amazing food! We can’t wait to try it! We ate a very late lunch. At 4 o’clock is it considered an early dinner?
Amazing quiche and salad. Lyon is known for local red wine made with Beaujolais grapes so we tried it. Good!
St Jean Cathedral. Beautiful stained glass dating back to the 13th and 14th century. And an amazing medieval astronomical clock from 1383.
Bonaparte Bridge. Most famous bridge in Lyon but not that old. All the bridges in Lyon were destroyed in WW2 but this one actually at least looks old. A great place to view the whole city from.
A Traboule. Passageways in Lyon that link the old town’s three main north-south streets and provided shelter from the elements when unfinished silk goods were being moved from one place to the next. Lyon has a long history of silk production since the 1800’s. There are a number of them still in existence and we managed to find the longest one which connects 4 buildings.
Notre Dame Basilica - looks amazing! Saving that for tomorrow.
My favorite picture of the day! Pretty Lyon! I can’t wait to see more tomorrow.
I’m feeling kind of delirious so heading to bed early. We have a full day planned tomorrow in Lyon - and that includes food! Thanks for coming along😊