Lyon, Lyons, Lions

Lyons, France, is the third largest city in the country and the capitol of the Rhône-Alpes region. As became the norm on this trip, we drove into town with the address of the hotel but no map or other clue as to how to get there. This was also where I began to perfect my homing technique. We drove in along the Rhône, and I used my power to get us within a few blocks of where we would be staying the night. I can't explain exactly how I use this power (lest I lose it), but it safely landed us near a train station. Dana stayed with the car while I ran wound the surrounding area until I found our street, backtracked to the car, and returned triumphant with vehicle, luggage and fiance. Often I was applauded in the streets.

The day of our arrival was the first rainy day of the trip, which was perfect, because we desperately needed to do some laundry. As the clothing tumbled, we spoke to family back home and said such foolish things as, "This is the first day of rain we've had!" The rain was very heavy, and marked the beginning of what we have come to call The Soaking Section of the Big Trip. We had a bit of rain nearly every day for the remainder of our travels. This usually drove us indoors, cutting short our photo-taking of statues and increasing the number of stranger-meeting in pubs.

Our stay in Lyon was three nights, so we had plenty of opportunities to see the sights. Our hotel was in the new part of the city, but the historic center was a short walk away. Specifically, we stayed in the 2ème arrondissement, between the Rhône and Saône rivers, near the Perrache Station. It turned out that the station itself may not be too safe at night, but we didn't wander in at any time. The walk towards the old town and Fourvière hill was through Rue Victor Hugo, a wide pedestrian street lines with shops. The shops were closed most of the time we were there, so that was perfect. (Yhe street pictured in the old town, not Rue Victor Hugo)

The funky bridges over the Saône River brought us to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame d'Amiens and the old, narrow streets that surround it. At the main doors the cathedral, we witnessed an interesting altercation when a group of Boy Scouts opened the wrong doors from within the church, waking up a few slumbering homeless people. One bearded homeless man shouted particularly loudly at the Scouts, who appeared much too old to be even Eagle Scouts, put their kerchiefs and walking sticks gave them away. Tourists were unsure how to diffuse the situation, but the homeless man's dog didn't hesitate to join the argument. Perhaps because he, too, was kerchiefed and felt an especially strong responsibility to make it clear to his kerchiefed brethren that future disturbances will not be tolerated.

We hiked up Fourvière for a good view of the city. The top is dominated by the bizarre Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, built in the late 19th century with a combination of a number of styles, such as Byzantine, Gothic & Greek. Near the basilica is the the Tour métallique de Fourvière, a giant mettalic tower built to rival the Eiffel Tower. It doesn't quite cut it. Also up on this hill are the remains of two Roman theaters and Roman baths, built in the 1st century BC. The theaters are used for concerts all summer long. The Roman baths are no longer used.

Lyons? Lyon? I'm not sure which is the correct way to spell it, but it's pronounced like the latter.

Lyon/Lyons