Day 16 - Lyon

We had a great day in Lyon! I didn’t really know what to expect coming here, but it has really exceeded my expectations. The weather has been beautiful, chilly but sunny and blue skies all day. We are here two nights and basically a day and a half for site seeing - which turns out to be perfect. We covered all the main areas and with another day would probably do a museum or two, but not on the must see list. Lyon is very hilly! I wasn’t expecting that but consequently it’s even prettier then anticipated because in many spots you have a beautiful panoramic view of the town and two rivers that divide it making one section really an island.

One of our views today walking up a huge hill. That’s one of the rivers - the Saone.

First stop after walking up a huge hill to the Fourvière Hill area was the Roman Theater. Built in 43 AD it’s amazing that it’s in such great shape, and is actually still used for concerts and dance performances.

Top right - that’s me way at the top! Julie in a more relaxed pose bottom right.

Next stop the Notre Dame Basilica which was almost right next door. Construction was began in 1870 as a tribute to the Virgin Mary, and I think it might be the most beautiful church I have ever seen. Just my opinion of course, but spectacular mosaics everywhere.

Notre Dame Basilica. The smaller building on the right has a beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother on top and it is a chapel that is 500 years older.

Inside the Basilica. Floors, walls and ceilings are all mosaics. Love the alter with the beautiful statue of Mary and Jesus.

We headed down the hill and across the river to the posh Presqu’île area where there are lots of upscale restaurants and shops. First stop….lunch!

Cafe des Jacobins - in business since 1906! Since we’re having a big fancy meal tonight we just wanted salads. This one had goat cheese on toast to top it and was delicious. Our waiters didn’t speak much English but when we told them we were from the US they asked us to marry them and take them home with us! So cute😊

We spent the rest of the afternoons walking the streets and window shopping.

Passage de l’Argue. An Old World covered shopping passage from the 1800’s.

The most famous dessert in Lyon - La Tarte a la Praline. An almond and cream dessert that is everywhere. Rumor has it it’s very sweet so I haven’t tried it…..yet!

We walked up to another area called La Croix-Rousse. Very hilly and bohemian.

So hilly and it just went forever! But very cool buildings, shops, restaurants and street art.

Love these two businesses! One a restaurant and one a great store with amazing clothes. And a super sweet sales lady that told us the history of the area. Thank you Caroline!

So many quirky things in Lyon. Random statues on buildings and how can you not laugh at this one?!!

Back to our neighborhood to change for our amazing dinner.

One of the things Lyon is best known for is amazing food, so we made sure to plan for a great dinner. We found a restaurant very close to our Airbnb and it was a Michelin Star restaurant winner for the past 3 years so we made a reservation for dinner and decided to splurge. I’m not an expert on food but we both loved our meal at Daniel & Denise. Julie had shrimp and she said it was the best she ever had in her life, and would dream about it. I had amazing roasted chicken with mushrooms and it was excellent. We shared pan roasted potatoes and penne pasta in a bechamel sauce - incredible! We shared the special dessert which was pot au chocolate. When it came it was actually two pots and two madeleines. When we asked why one dessert comes with two pots our waiter told us because one is never enough! Almost true but plenty for us because we were so full. Totally worth the splurge😊

So happy!

A last walk to the river to say goodbye to Lyon.

I’m so glad we got to make this stop and spend a few days in Lyon. So easy to get to on the train and a beautiful fun city. Next up off to the city of lights - Paris! I can never be there too often💕