Lyon, in March

It's Part-Dieu (no 'v'). You'll probably be interested in three areas in Lyon: Fourvière Hill, Vieux Lyon, and Presqu'île. Old Town is the middle of the three areas and is a couple of miles from the Part-Dieu station. You can scoot over there in ten minutes or so on the metro, but there'll be a change of lines after a couple of stations once you get started (station name unremembered). The area around the Part-Dieu station is bland, sterile, and commercial. There's nothing wrong with it except it's boring. Wild guess on the taxi: fifteen bucks. The only hotel I can picture near the station is something in the Accor chain, either a Mercure or an Ibis, maybe. Either one is okay, but neither is loaded with charm and ambiance. (This based on experience with these brands elsewhere - - having never been in that particular hotel.) If Bets shows up, she'll unscrew my errors.

Ed, thank you very much for detailed answer, it is very informative. safe, bland and boring is OK for us for 1 night :), it is easier to be close to the station as we are coming to Lyon after skiing in Meribel area and we will have some skiing gear. I see Novotel near the station, it is fine. Ed, could you please elaborate about the areas to see in Lyon. So far we plan to see Place Bellecour and around, Rue de la Republique and Graeco-Roman museum. what else is a 'must to see' ? thank you. Elena,
Maryland

Ed, thank you very much for detailed answer, it is very informative. safe, bland and boring is OK for us for 1 night :), it is easier to be close to the station as we are coming to Lyon after skiing in Meribel area and we will have some skiing gear. I see Novotel near the station, it is fine. Ed, could you please elaborate about the areas to see in Lyon. So far we plan to see Place Bellecour and around, Rue de la Republique and Graeco-Roman museum. what else is a 'must to see' ? thank you. Elena,
Maryland

You're looking in the right area to find most of the good stuff. Just stick to the west bank of the Saone (the western of the two rivers) and you'll have a grand time. I would, however, wander a bit up the Fourvière Hill for the basilica and the huge number of religious buildings - - not to mention the view. I don't get too excited about the roman stuff. We swing through Lyon to feed our faces. I spent a couple of months in China this year and never cracked the door of what anybody would call a restaurant. Our total cost in europe runs under two hundred bucks a day, including car-associated expenses. I'm the cheapest SOB alive. I seldom recommend a restaurant. I have one place in Spain I'll go out of my way to eat. I have two in France, both in Lyon. If I'm within a hundred miles of one of the three, I will eat at them. Supper at any of them will be more than our usuall total daily budget. I'm about to make a point: Mere Brazier or Leon de Lyon

Ed, thanks for the advice. we are not big at fancy dining, but it may happen once in a while. thanks for sharing your favorite places.
Elena.

One place of interest in the Part-Dieu area is the main covered market for the city - Les Halles Paul Bocuse. It isn't a picturesque building but you can do very well for food there.

Bets, the link you passed has lots of good info, thanks. Fouviere Hill is definitely in our plans. Philip, thanks for the tip about the market. After Lyon we go to Avignon, 4 full days. we reserved hotel there, Cloitre Saint Louis. We have the list what to see, mostly from RS book. we think that 2 days we can do sightseeing by train, and we probably need excursions for 1 or 2 days for more remote areas. Any advice on day trip tours? Any personal tips? Like where to eat. We are not looking for extra fancy 'gastronomy delights' but low key good food.
Thanks.

Thank you, Bets. I will report back here all how all the arrangements worked, and and will pass whatever tips I might have after the trip. Elena, MD