We arrived at Gare Lyon Part Dieu around noon and took a cab from the cue out front to Hotel des Celestins. To enter the hotel push the hotel buzzer on the intercom to your right and they open the door where you take the elevator (small but will fit two adults and luggage) to the first floor. Check in was easy and we took the elevator to our room on the fourth floor. Room 46 was nice with a large bed, desk, closet and several small shelves and bathroom with walk in shower. We had a window that overlook the front of the hotel and we could see the theatre and the church on the hill in Vieux.
If you have never visited Lyon put it on your list. What a great city and we had the best time. Large but not hectic and noisy and so easy to get to the places we saw by walking. I could easily live in Lyon. During our two days we spent time in Vieux by walking over the pedestrian bridge and wandered through the streets admiring the architecture and the churches. We took the funicular which you get to by buying tickets (I used my credit card) at the metro station and then follow signs. A 5 minute ride up and exiting the metro station and you are in front Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere. The church was beautiful. Maybe the most beautiful including most we have seen in Italy. There is no fee to enter. After exiting the church there are great views overlooking Lyon on both sides behind the church.
Back on the presquile (peninsula) where the hotel is located we got up early one morning and went to the Saint Antoine market (vegetables, meat, chicken, cheese, flowers) along the river and walked admiring the neighborhoods and got pastries at Antoinette Pain & Brioche (Rue hippolite location). Super nice guy explained all the pastries. We bought several. They do not serve coffee so he directed to a cafe around the corner where we bought coffee and ate our pastries on their terrace. During the evenings we would sit at the outdoor cafe/bar near the pedestrian bridge for drinks or at one of the cafes along Rue Merciere. We had dinner one night at Le Bistro de Lyon in this area one night. It is a little touristy but food and service was good and we were able to dine outside.
For lunch on our last day, we dined at the Daniel & Denise St Jean location. I made reservations online several days prior. Nice restaurant with great service and food. The head server spoke good English and was very easy going and witty and helped make suggestions. We got the plat du jour which included a main and dessert. One main was a veal chop with puréed eggplant and one was grilled fish with leeks and tomatoes. We also ordered a starter of the Foie gras and sweetbread pâté in a pastry case. Be aware that all meals come sides of macaroni with cheese and fried potatoes (I think are fried in duck fat) on the side. For dessert we had the floating island and the cake of the day which was plum. A nice Beaujolais wine complemented the meal. The whole lunch was outstanding and would highly recommend.
Again, if you have not visited Lyon you are missing a hidden gem.
On Wednesday we left Gare Lyon Part Dieu by train for Arles.
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