I'm looking to plan a trip during my February vacation (I'm a school teacher) and am looking for cheap flights out of Buffalo, NY.
I found a relatively inexpensive trip to Lyon and wondering if anyone had experience visiting there during this time (Feb. 15-22). Is there enough to do for that length of time or any close day trips?
Thanks in advance!
There is plenty to do around Lyon during that time of year. You can also do day trips to nearby cities like Dijon or Beaune. You can train to either city within 2 hours.
In addition, Perouges is a medieval town and one of the "Plus Belles Villages" of France. It is about a mile from the train station at Meximieux, from where a train will take you to central Lyon in 20 or 30 minutes.
Some notable places to visit in Lyon are: Traboules, Fourvière Basilica, Presqu’île, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Institut Lumière, Musée Miniature et Cinéma, and Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse.
Rick's France book has a very good chapter on Lyon, laying out most of the things of interest to visitors. The only thing I did that he did not describe was the Parc de la Tête d'or, a very nice city park, but that may not be so interesting in February. On a nice day, it seemed half the city is there; there was a great mix of people, and it was very enjoyable.
If you really have seven nights, you'll definitely have time for day trips; even seeing "everything," you'd probably only need 4 days for Lyon. For trains to many other cities, including Dijon, Beaune, and Paris, you'll want advance purchase discount tickets, as last minute tickets can be very expensive. However, these advance tickets will be non-refundable and non-changeable. I haven't investigated closer daytrips, but I know one is Vienne, with Roman ruins.
I'm not sure what the weather is like there in February, but I spent a week there this summer and it is a very nice city. Perouges was a day trip that I really enjoyed. I also went to Annecy from there as well. It is a 2 hour train trip, but Annecy is really nice and worth it. Enjoy Lyon and the great food of that city.
The only thing I did that he did not describe was the Parc de la Tête d'or, a very nice city park, but that may not be so interesting in February. On a nice day, it seemed half the city is there
Only half? At times it seemed like everyone was there. And I agree that it might not be so great in February, but if it's a pleasant day, who knows? In any event, there's so much in and around Lyon, even in Winter.
