Lyon

I've got to admit, in some respects, I prefer France's Second City to Paris.  Lyon is fresher, cleaner, less claustrophobic than its bigger sister to the North.  Still, I have a lot of both cities to explore, but so far Lyon has come off on top.

We started on the first day doing some shopping, Nick and I both need new winter coats, and the temperature is beginning to dip a li'l, and so we now both look a little sharper!

After that, we did some exploring of the old town (Vieux Lyon), and had some lunch in a lovely little bakery.  Vieux Lyon is lovely, with old buildings, cobbled streets and hidden passageways that make their way between buildings. 

After lunch, we headed up to the Basilica with views out over the city.  The area has lovely views out over the whole city, and next door stands a miniature Eiffel Tower!  Hilarious.  After that, we made our way back down hill via the Roman Ruins.  Lyon is built around the old Gaul-Roman city of Lugdunum, and the ruins are pretty wonderful, and surprisingly well preserved in comparison to those in Rome.

Then a wander around the old Silk Making district, and back to the Old Town for dinner.


Day Two started with brunch in old town - delicious quiches finished off with a local speciality, praline tarts.  After lunch, we took a leisurely walk up to the Parc Tete D'Or, a beautiful park in the northern end of the city, made even more beautiful by the falling leaves and the autumn colours.  A visit through the zoo, then back into town.

So in conclusion, if you make your way to France, I would highly recommend a few days spent in Lyon.  It's a lovely change of pace from other areas we've visited - no vast wealth like the Riviera, and not as busy as Paris, but still with its own personality and beauty.