Things I loved about Lyon:
It's a great city to walk in.
Two rivers, the Rhone and the Saone, meet in Lyon. Bookfairs and cafes line the shores, and on weekends, crowds wander amongst local artisans and musicians.
Vieux Lyon has medieval architecture and narrow cobblestone streets.
Croix-Rousse is an old quarter where the silk industry once thrived.
Art. The Musee des Beaux-Arts has an exciting large collection of paintings and sculptures from all periods.
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Roman History.
The Theatre Romain, built by the Romans in 15 BC, and the Musee de la Civilisation Gallo Romaine, tucked into the hillside behind the amphi-theatre were extremely interesting.
Food. Les Halles de Lyon is one of many wonderful markets in Lyon, where you can see fabulous displays of French food in all its glory. Lyon is known for its' gastronomic excellence.
Wine (Beaujolais) is served in a 'pot', a smaller bottle or carafe. Lentils, salad, cheeses, and of course, pork, are common fare in a bouchon.
We had another delicious meal at Le Garet. Here we had a special house pear liquor and chatted with French tourists. Food is plentiful at bouchons, so go on an empty stomach.
Travel can change your daily diet. After Kerala, we crave masala dosa. From Greece it was feta cheese and olive oil. Italy, sardines on pizza, and pesto pasta. In Lyon, it was the salad, made with frisee ( or endive), hard boiled eggs, lardon (chunks of bacon) and a dressing heavy with Dijon mustard.
In Lyon, we also developed a serious romance with cheese. The fresh cheeses of France are hard to resist. Save room at the end of the meal for the cheese course.
Throughout France the cuisine was supurb.
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