Lyon, France ~ aka a Stairmaster Alternative

FIELD TRIP!

Six of us took the Flix Bus to Lyon for a ‘girls’ day out’ of culture, couture, gastronomy, and a “whole ‘lotta walking.” The Google Maps route said our planned route was a 10 km walk, but since we got a little mixed up [on multiple occasions], I’m SURE it was more than 10 km!

Lyon is lovely, even in February. The weather cooperated; we were fortunate and didn’t have to break out the umbrellas once. And bus transportation was the way to go! For about $20 USD roundtrip, you had big roomy seats for a 2 1/2 hour drive each way, plush interior, WIFI, and a plug for cell phone charging. Heaven forbid we get disconnected at any time, you know!

The scenery is wonderful, even under dreary skies

Like most of Western Europe, Catholic churches abound

The metro population of Lyon is ~ 2.2 million people, the 2nd largest populated area in France. And boy, did we walk! Mush, girls, mush!

First set of stairs – we are climbing….Jacob’s ladder…..

580 STAIRS to get to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. There WAS a funicular, but we didn’t find it, so up we went! It was worth the effort, although we were feeling the burn.

The Fourvière Basilica is in a similar style of Sacre Coeur in Paris and was built between 1872 – 1880. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, to whom the Catholics attributed the salvation of the city of Lyon from the bubonic plague that swept Europe in 1643. Interestingly enough, it was built with private funds and not on the backs of the citizens (aka taxes). It is, in my opinion, MORE BEAUTIFUL than Notre Dame in Paris…and I have read that it is maybe THE most beautiful Basilica in Europe. The art in the architecture is almost overwhelming.

And what a view! It’s said that Mont Blanc, the highest point in Europe, can be seen in the distance on a clear day. Obviously, however, we didn’t see it yesterday!

Worth every ache in the knees today!

Panoramic view from the top. The Place Bellecour (where the Ferris Wheel is located, center of the picture) is the largest pedestrian square in Europe.

The Basicila is on the site of the original Roman settlement of Lugdunum (43 BC). (Click here to learn more.) Lyon’s ancient history of Gauls and Romans is bloody and tumultuous, with two Roman Emperors, Claudius and Caracalla, both being born here. Nearby is the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, built around 15 BC and discovered in the 1500s. Great link here. To add insult to injury, it was ANOTHER HIKE to get to the top of the Theatre!

The theatre is known for having amazing acoustics. I stood on the center of the stage and recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the USA (in French no less) and my companions could hear me loud and clear from the top!

All this EXERTION can only mean one thing! TIME FOR LUNCH! Straight to the the Grand Café des Négociants. This building was finished in 1864 as a place of negotiation for diamond merchants, silk merchants and wholesale butchers that used the huge mirrors to communicate discretely through signs. Poker, anyone? The brasserie is still a meeting place and beautiful cafe.