Vieux Lyon

Tonight's evening arrival into Lyon meant that we got to see it all lit up.  It was very pretty, but unfortunately we were fighting with 193 old people with cameras all vying for the best position at the front of the boat, so we only got a couple of pics. 

(I know, I'm going to be that old person with a camera one day!)

We've been extremely lucky with the beautiful weather and the fact that the rivers here in France haven't flooded this year.  This time last year the water was so high that they couldn't sail further that Lyon.  The boat was stuck there between bridges for 7 days and the passengers had to be bused back and forth! The bridges are so low and even at low tide without flooding, there's not much room for error - or tall people on the sun deck!

Lyon can look back over 2000 years of history and it's Old City is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  Although Lyon has indeed preserved it's beautiful old buildings, but it also has a thriving modern feel about it.

One of the special features of old Lyon is the prevalence of the covered passageways, beautiful courtyards with interesting with interesting details and remarkable spiral staircases hidden from view behind the façades of many houses.  

Some of these are difficult to find, but luckily we had a lovely tour guide who knew where they all were.  

Some of the people who live in these buildings have contracts with the council to keep the courtyards open to the public, but some prefer to be left alone to their privacy.  It works out that the ones who are ok with it generally live in the "Social Housing" apartments, so probably don't have a real choice about it.

Some houses have passageways linking buildings or providing a shortcut from one street to another.  These are called "traboules", which  means to "pass through"

The streets were quite gorgeous.  This area had a few theatres, complete with their own Punch and Judy style puppets.

I'm not sure how the styles of footwear throughout the ages have managed to walk on these cobblestone streets.  I tried it out in thongs today and managed to give myself a well deserved foot massage, but there were some silly women who were, somehow walking in kitten heels!

I just love these old doors.  I can't quite get enough of them.... and as luck would have it, here in Lyon - they're all like this - every one of them!

And I love window and sills just as much!  I don't know what it is.

This cafe reminded me of a jigsaw puzzle picture I once had.  In fact, this could have been the exact picture!

In the middle of the old part of town they've built a funicular to take people up to to the top of the hill..... 

to the Notre Dame Basilica.... I know, they're all called Notre Dame!

And next to it, they built The Tour Métallique de Fourière, which is a sort of a replica of the top part of the Eiffel Tower.... apparently for telecommunication satellite dishes?

The inside of the Basilica was quite lovely and ..... golden

With lots of references to the Virgin Mary....

Mosaic murals... 

And carved walls and pillars.

How much time and effort and money would have gone into making this church?

It was quite ornate.

There was this sign inside the church.  I thought briefly about taking it to use on trains and in restaurants and bars and well.... just about everywhere.  Maybe I could get a shirt made?

An we were treated to a bit of local music....

And a great view of Lyon.

I did so enjoy the special parking skills of not only this chap, but all the cars along this street who were similarly parked.

 Having a lovely time in Lyon with me Jenny.