Lyon sits at the confluence of two rivers; The Rhone and the smaller Saone. The centre of the old city is on a 500m wide "peninsular" formed as the rivers run parallel for about 4km, before they finally meet and flow onto together towards their final destination in the Mediterranean Sea at the Camargue.
Lyon is old but very little really remains of the Roman and medieval town. The old city is Renaissance era old. Depending on which guide book you read Lyon is either the second or third largest city in France. This is hard to believe because the city centre is so accessible and relaxed.
The wealth and the power of a city is always reflected in its streetscape and so it is in Lyon.
On Sunday mornings, markets line both banks of the River Saone for a kilometre or more. These are seriously picturesque and atmospheric markets. The markets are really three separate markets; food, art and books. It is love at first sight.
High on the hill on the western bank of the Soane is the Basilica Notre Dame, dominating the Lyon skyline. It was built by the people in the mid-nineteenth century in thanks for the city being saved by their patron saint the Virgin Mary from the marauding Prussians.
The interior is very grand.
At the bottom on the hill on the banks of the Soane is the Cathedral St Jean. Although older, more historic and more ecclesiastically important St Jean is a bit of a plain Jane in comparison to its flashy, dominating, top of the hill neighbour, Notre Dame.
Down the river a kilometre or so is the Church of St George, making a wonderful reflection in the tranquil river Soane.
Across the other side of town, on the east bank of the Rhone is the city's swimming pool complex, open for just 3 months each year. The complex has two Olympic sized pools, end to end plus a kids pool and play area, all stretched along the river bank. Sunday afternoon is now summery hot, and the locals are out in droves in various states of undress enjoying the poolside life.
More people are enjoying life on the grandstand type terraces that continue along the eastern bank of the Rhone.
In Lyon (like most of France) there is very little in your face outdoor advertising. The people from Panasonic must have got lucky getting this sign approved because it dominates the eastern bank city skyline. (BTW if there is anyone reading this that works for Panasonic, we would just like to let you know that we are available to babysit children in Lyon anytime!!)
While in every sandy park, under the shade of the big old trees, at least one game of Boules is in progress. Every town, village and suburb in France seems to have a sandy covered “boulodrome” under the shade of ubiquitous plain trees.
Lyon is a hip cool city, where the very old and the very modern blend seamlessly.
Their advertising slogan is "Only Lyon". The prowling lion is it's symbol.
The old wealth of Lyon was built on Silk production. Lyon's wealth today comes from the huge industrial complexes (ugly but profitable), it's thriving IT sector and from being a major banking city. Put it all together and you have a very vibrant city with a mix of young and old cultures, in a pretty compact space and that is hard to beat.
In the late afternoon we take a cruise to see Lyon form the river.
This sculpture just about sums up our day out in Lyon....magnificent.
