Lyon cont.....

This was about the time my camera battery went flat. I'll try to get some pics from someone else. This city is wonderful.

After the Silk Museum we drove across town to get the funicular up to the basilica. Well, it was a great idea, but several unions were on strike and protest marches were taking place in the city, so the coach had to park-up and shanks ponies were  in order. A stroll to the metro/funicular and up we went. This was one of those OMG views. I had not realise how big Lyon was, but from way, way up there it looked enormous. A breath taking place is the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvier. E-nor-mouse! It's very difficult to imagine it being built, let alone how much it cost.

After our journey down the funicular we walked to the river boat for a 1 1/2 hour cruise. All this on our 20 Euro ticket. The cruise went down the Rhone, around the Confluence, up the Saone and back again. wonderful way to see the variations in several different centuries of architecture. With several people nodding off during the cruise it was time the coach to take some back to the hotel, while other explored the Traboules (secret passages). Traboules are a pedestrian passageway, often in a narrow space, which starts as an entryway and crosses through one or more buildings and courtyards, connecting one street to another. The first traboules are thought to date back to the 4th century, when they were used for access to the river. There are 315 in the city. Access to most of them is just by walking in or pressing the button on a door, click and you enter. Like I said earlier, my camera was resting, so I will get some images from Diane or Annette.

Diane, Sue, Annette, Janice & I had dinner in a local Bouchon. Bouchon means a cork, bottle neck, traffic jam, but is also a little local restaurant style in Lyon, serving local food. We had a great 3-course meal, starting with a Kir - a cocktail of syrup & wine. Great company and great food. After that we walked back to the funicular and rode up to the basilica again to see the lights. Again, a very amazing view.


All up a great place to visit.