Lyon 6/4...
Wednesday, 4. June 2008, 06:51:47
Off to the Continent.....
Back to Lyon .....We arrived yesterday about 3am to the beautifully lit city where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet. After a filling breakfast of Lyonnaise Salad ,fruit and strong French coffee it was off to the warehouse to make a final equipment check ( our lighting rigs had only arrive Monday ) and all trunks checked out undamaged.
Even though the plane trip was not good to my companion and the morning sky grew dark and a light drizzle set in, we decided despite this, we were going to see some of the things I had not been able to in my other quick trip over.
Lyon was the capital of Roman Gaul, and many ruins not only reside within the city but also ring it. Unfortunately, heavy fighting near here during WWI and German occupation in WWII destroyed many of the Roman sites outside the city; some have been restored and others are in restoration. But the Roman Amphitheatre and roads inside the city were spared the destruction. They were marvelous engineers those Roman guys!
Lyon is not only a beautiful city, but is known worldwide for the food and wine.
This is Beaujolais country. They drink it with everything! It was even offered to us at breakfast. And as for the food, this is France, when you order anything you ask what’s in it or you may be surprised!
The French countryside is incredibly beautiful, pictures do it no justice. The sight of fields of flowers and the Vineyards are worth every minute spent.
In a few days we’re taking the train into Paris and wait till the band meets up with us and stay till time to travel across the channel for the first big event.
Until then, I’m enjoying myself.
(15%)
WIDGETIZE
Yulia # 4. June 2008, 16:15
Do you like Beaujolais?
I heard Lyon is very beautiful at night.
Phantom2 # 4. June 2008, 19:12
And yes I like Beaujolais, but prefer a good Cabernet.
Good to hear from you Yulenka......How is St.Petersburg this time of year?
Yulia # 4. June 2008, 20:29
We were in France in October,but only in Paris. I liked France,really.
The most wonderful thing is to hear everywhere French speech.It is very beautiful:)))By the way...Cabernet is my beloved too.
I want to travel to the South of France on the bike:))
Phantom2 # 4. June 2008, 21:51
I have never been the Russia, but the one place I'd like to see is St. Petersburg.
You promised to me my tour guide, so someday!
White Nights...isn't that when the sky never gets dark for a period of time in May or June?
I don't speak French so I'm always lost here. I never travel alone but I have a travel companion who has lived in Europe most of her life and keeps me out of trouble.
I haven't spent time in southern France but I've heard it's warm and sunny most of the year. The Mediterranean coast is beautiful just about anywhere you go.
Naomi # 5. June 2008, 01:14
Did you go to the museum on the top of the hill about Roman history, ruins? There is a Roman amphitheater up there. Unfortunately, we didn't go in the museum because it was closed the day we were there. I remember a really pretty winding trail back down the hill into the city. I also remember a really beautiful street with cafes, etc. in the old part of Lyon.
Lyon is nice, but I am absolutely in love with Paris. If you need any suggestions for offbeat things to do in Paris, here are a few things:
-There is still part of a Roman wall in Paris
-You can see a Roman amphitheater (soccer stadium now) behind Hotel Monge, 55 rue Monge, metro stop Place Monge. It's near the rue Mouffetard, a cool pedestrian street with cafes, etc.
-The catacombs are totally freaky.
-Jim Morrison is buried in Pere Lachaise cemetery-there used to be spray-painted arrows pointing to "Jim" on other grave stones back in the 80's but they may have cleaned that up.
-Do NOT take the tour of the Paris sewers. Ick!
-The medieval foundations of the Louvre can still be seen if you start your tour in the basement (You can avoid standing in the BIG line at the Louvre if you go in through metro station Port Royal.)
-Go to Les Invalides (military museum) if you want to see Napoleon's stuffed white DOG.
-Around 10:00 at night, lights on the Eiffel Tower go off. Go up Montmartre to see this.
-Speaking of Montmartre, check out the Museum of Eroticism. You will not believe some of the ancient "artifacts." But seriously, it's a totally amazing place. You may learn something.
And last but not least, if you buy something to eat or drink in a Paris cafe, do NOT pay to use the toilet. Go up to the bar and ask for a "jeton." It's a token so you can use the bathroom for free. Almost no foreigners know this, so they will be shocked but you'll get your token.
Think of me while you're there.
Phantom2 # 5. June 2008, 06:43
The one thing I have seen in Paris is Morrison's Grave. It’s kind of a ritual when you play Paris the first time. It's a shame what been done to it.
As for Lyon, the weather isn’t cooperating. It’s been cool and raining on and off since we got here . We have managed to see the beautiful Churches and did drive around the older part of the city. It’s a shame we haven’t been able to walk the streets and really look around. The first day we did go up to the Fourviere Basilica, and see the Amphitheater. There are actually two, one much older than the other. There is also new excavations in progress on the hill but was covered with tarp because of the rain. The day turned off bad so we headed back to the Basilica and chatted with a keeper who said we must come back that night for a close view of it all lit up. He was right.
As for the path you spoke of , we used the tram that runs up the hill to the Basilica. I guess you took the original path probably there since ancient times. If we get back up there in good weather I hope to see it.
I do hope the weather clears off before we leave.
…..and we will tip a glass for you guys at dinner tonight!
Yulia # 5. June 2008, 06:53
Yes.I promissed to show you the city as soon as you be here:)
No metter how many time will passed to the moment you come.
White nights,yes,it is time when the sky never gets dark.
It is in June. June is the best time to see Snt.Petersburg.
I do not speak French too,but had a dictionary with some phrases.
It is a bit funny,but I saw that people can understand
each other even not speaking the same language.
Naomi,pity you did not write it all about Paris before we go there;)
We missed some points.
I agree with you- Paris is charming!I read your description with pleasure as though visited it once again:)
Naomi # 5. June 2008, 12:50
P2-SO glad our recommendations are coming in handy & I SO wish we could be there. Jeff was just there last summer but it's been about 6 years for me which feels like infinity.
Another little-known Paris fact-there are 2-3 mini Statues of Liberties-one of them is in Luxembourg Gardens, our absolute favorite park, a great place to hang around lunch time with a baguette & watch the kids pushing the toy boats around in the fountain in front of the palace, with all of the flowers in bloom.
As far as the Louvre, check out the statue of Hermaphrodite in the Roman statue area.
And the Latin Quarter at night looks like a movie set with the lights.
Although I agree that Paris is charming, what I really love about it is that it is also funky, hip, sleezy, smelly, dirty, snobby (watch out for the waiters, particularly the older ones), beautiful, historical, romantic-all of the above. You can find whatever atmosphere you are looking for there.