Train to Lyon

Thursday 27^th March

A pretty big day yesterday (Thurs) so I am writing this blog a day later. We decided to leave the car at the hotel in Vienne and travel into Lyon by bus and train – there was a bus right behind the hotel that went to the station in Vienne. The train took us to the central station in Lyon and from there we were able to walk to the textile museum – via the patchwork shop. I’m trying to share the love around all the shops – just a little in each one.

The patchwork shop - ABCDaire

While I was in the patchwork shop Rob had a bit of a walk around. He was watching a lady trying to load a chair and painting in a small car – she had just stopped in the middle of the road and traffic was banking up. A couple of cars back someone pulled out of a parking space, so they just put the chair  and picture in  the middle of the space and she drove around the block, then came back and parked and loaded up. Never in Melbourne!

The textile museum – Wow! No photos allowed here so I’ll just have to tell you how impressed we both were with the display of textiles going back to early 1200s. I find it hard to believe that these fabrics have preserved so well. Some of them were just so rich and luxurious.

Next was a trip up the funicular to the Basilica de Notre Dame. Another beautiful church and the views over Lyon from here were expansive. From there it was a short walk across to the Roman ruins from 1^st century. We have seen a lot of school groups at various historic locations we have visited – these kids are so lucky to have these ‘living history’ lessons.

Roman ruins from 1st century

Mosaic tiling in the church

Lunchtime – down into old Lyon and time to wander the streets. This was a lovely part of Lyon with numerous restaurants to choose from. We ate at a patisserie where the dessert was adding inches just sitting on the plate.

 

Old Lyon - street view

Lunchtime patisserie

Glad I don't live up there

Another thing that has impressed us in a lot of places is the window displays in shops. They seem to take a lot of pride in presenting their wares in a way that entices you to enter and browse. The photos don't do them justice as we get a lot of reflection on the glass.

We were pretty tired by late afternoon so to fill in time before catching our train back to Vienne we took a trolley bus ride to the end of the line and back – just to see how the Lyonnaise live. The parks scattered throughout the city see a lot of use as there seems to be mostly apartment living.

The train back to Vienne was a short trip – only 20 minutes – and the trains are so quiet. We found a lovely restaurant for dinner where the waitress spoke exceptionally good English. Rob and I had both heard about how rude the French can be if you don’t speak the language – we have not found this to be the case and in fact everyone seems to be very helpful. 

We took a taxi back to the hotel from the city but if I was understanding the taxi driver correctly we were very lucky and might have been standing there waiting all night.