Our last stop in France on our road trip was the Chicago to Paris' New York: Lyon.
Situated on the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon is France's most historic and culturally important city after Paris and has been a leading city since Roman times. Within the city are two very unique sections: the Old World, cobbled alleys, with Renaissance mansions of Vieux Lyon and the more Parisian feeling shopping streets of Presqu'île.
Even though it is a big city, it feels small and inviting.
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Looking out at the Saône river while crossing the Pont Bonaparte.
We rode the funicular train up the hill to check out the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica.
Built in 1872, this ornate church was built in thanks after the city was spared from Prussian attacks.
Not the Eiffel Tower.
Such a pretty building.
Behind the church is a terrace with breathtaking views over the city.
Just downhill from the basilica are the remains of two Roman theaters. The city was founded in A.D. 43 and soon became a central metropolis for the Roman administration of Gaul. As such, it had all the luxuries of a major Roman city including this 10,000 seat theater.
Just below the larger theater is a small theater called an Odeon which was specifically and acoustically designed for speeches and songs.
Leaving the Roman ruins we rode the train back down to Vieux Lyon.
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The interior shows off some wonderful stained glass windows from the 13th century behind and above the altar.
Back outside we wandered the charming alleys.
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Looking across the river to the Presqu'île part of town.
This bit of land is a peninsula between the two rivers and is Lyon's home to shops and cafes all with a Parisian vibe.
Lyon's lovely opera house.
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And finally, a view back towards Vieux Lyon. What a surprising, wonderful city.
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A little video from our time in Lyon:
Our family in Lyon, France on Friday April 7th 2017.
Our very last stop of this spring break road trip: a chocolate factory in Switzerland!
What a gorgeous city! And because of his orange shirt, I could spot Fox in most of the photos! :) I love that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Lyon! Went to visit my brother there. Did you see all the beautiful carroussels for the kids? And the bikes, gosh, they do everything to ride a bike around the city and limit the cars! Wish it would happen in Prague, too.
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