Hello, I was reading your post(from a while ago) and I was thinking about go to Lyon for the day. We(myself and 14yo son)will be in Paris in December and we want to leave the city and visit other places. We always do "tours" but this time, we want to take the train and explore a new place by ourselves(we did in Italy and it was great!). I did read many forums and posted many questions about many cities(I was thinking about Riems or Chartres). I met a tour guide last year in Marseille, and she loved Lyon.... I just thought about it. I saw your post, and it was perfect. Did you go? I would love to hear about it? I am open for suggestions...other cities?
Thanks...hope to hear from you.
Posted by
Redmond, WA
295 posts
Hi Silvia. Yes,we had been to Lyon before, and we spent five weeks in Lyon the summer before last, with an extra 3 weeks in other spots (8 weeks in Berlin this year). Lyon is absolutely wonderful. Few English-speaking tourists, lots to see both downtown (Presque Isle) and the Old City (Vielle Lyon). There's a great guidebook for a day: Cityspots Lyon. This is a great series, covering many cities, for staying in a city for a limited time. The people of Lyon are friendly. Transportation is unmatched. Don't worry if you don't speak French, no one will ever be impolite to you there. Eat on the Rue Merciere rather than in Vielle Lyon - any of the restaurants will be fine. Try a quenelle of pike with crayfish sauce. We love other cities - Beauvais, Chartre, Dijon, Sarlat, Reims, Strasbourg, and many others - but Lyon has my heart completely. We retire in two years and will be spending 6 months a year in Europe rather than just 8 weeks, and Lyon is top on our list. Have a wonderful stay and let me know if you go, and how you fared.
Dennis
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Have been only briefly in Lyon- not long enough to see anything exciting- but we made sure we had time for lunch. Had to have Quenelle, and absolutely glad we did. they really know how to do it to perfection
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
5 posts
Good Morning Dennis, Thank you for replying to my email!!! Now,even more, we are looking forward to explore Lyon. I know that Annency is close to Lyon...I saw pictures and a video of Annency and it looks very beautiful...we don't need to check out the whole lake, but maybe visit the town. Do you think, after Lyon, we should try to spare a couple of hours in Annency? I can tell Lyon is a large city, and will be impossible to really see it all...but at least we will have an idea for next time.
As you suggested, I bought "Lyon/CitySpots". Thank you again!!!!
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
5 posts
Hello Brian, We are definitely going to make time to eat...I read about the "Quenelle" and we want to try eat for sure.
Thank you1
Posted by
Redmond, WA
295 posts
Hi Silvia! Annency is lovely, but a real tourist town, and the central core is the only pretty spot (it's a resort town). The trains take quite a while to get there. Try Vienne instead - 30 minutes south by train, with a truly wonderful Roman museum, a great Roman temple, and interesting churches. There's a wonderful cafe overlooking the front of the temple. Also, a trip to Perouges is wonderful. It's one of the loveliest ancient villages in France. By car it's easier; the train goes to Meximieux (about 30 minutes) and you then walk through the town and up the hill, about a mile total. Good exercise, with a chocolate store on the way, but not at all scenic on any inch of the way. When you're ready to plan more carefully send a note and I'll give you a list of the best to see, not to miss, in Lyon. We're excited for next summer! 8 weeks in Budapest and Istanbul, with some side trips (Dortmund, Zurich, Athens). I hate heat. I hope you're having a fun time on the rest of your trip! All the best! Dennis