France Trip Part #2: Lyon

From its UNESCO-protected old town and 

its historical roots in the silk and film industry

and to its well-preserved Roman ruins and

 its reputation as France's gastronomical capital,  

Lyon was a city that I wanted to visit during my time in France, 

as I had heard and read that it was distinctly different 

from many other regions in France, particularly from Paris.

Thus, I was able to spend two full days there, and the things

that I saw (and tasted) were so wonderful that 

they exceeded my expectations about Lyon. 

It truly was charming, interesting, and quite 

undiscovered city, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested 

in seeing a different side and flavor of French culture and cuisine. 

THURSDAY, MAY 21ST 

Place des Jacobins 

The Saône River 

La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière Church to the left and
La Tour Metalique de Fourvière to the right
(or Lyon's very own miniture Eiffel Tower) 

Lyon's special patisserie? Red sugar-coated pralines 

They were everywhere and on everything

And they were quite good! 

Walking around Lyon's old town 

A typical bouchon:
a lyonais café that serves local, fresh, and often
pig-inspired meals 

Saint John the Baptist Cathedral 

Admiring the colors of Lyon's old city 

Learning about Lyon's history
from Roman times to the present
at the Museum Gadagne 

An example of a silk weave
(During the first half of the 19th century,
Lyon was Europe's powerhouse for silk
production, and this profession employed a third
of all of the city's inhabitants)

In addition to silk and cinema during the 19th century,
Lyon was also home to famous puppets and puppeteers,
most notably Guignol. 

Visiting Lyon's Musée des Beaux-Arts

I found it to be  a smaller, more intimate version of the Louvre,
with all the fine and impressive works of art
from many siècles of history 

The museum's courtyard 

Traditional dancing outside of Hotel de Ville
(The Lyon's  mayor office)

Place Bellcour, one of Europe's largest public squares 

Eating a traditional andouillon pork
sausage at a bouchon in the old town

NOT PICTURED: I was fortunate to have spent a very nice evening with Carson Witte, a Pomona student (and fellow soccer player) studying abroad in Lyon. Not only did we spend some time sitting along the Rhone River, talking, and sharing a bottle of wine, but he also graciously invited me to his program's end of the year party!

FRIDAY, MAY 22ND

Spending the morning in the old town
and trekking up to Fourvière where the basilica
and tower are found 

A quick bite to eat before the trek 

Inside the Basilica 

Lyon's Roman amphitheater 

Proof that it was me taking these photos in Lyon 

Lyon's distinct roof tops 

Walking up to Croix Rousse:
Lyon's historical silk district 

The view from the top of the hill 

Attending a silk weaving demonstration 

The approximate size of a silk weaver's place of
work during the 19th century 

Visiting Le Parc du Tête d'Or (Golden Head Park)

Lyon's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 

Dinner Entrée: a typical lyonnais salad 

Plat: Blood sausage, cooked apples and potatoes
with a glass of local red wine 

Dessert: a slice of praline pie 

One last walk in the old town and along both rivers