Villa Florentine

Off the Beaten Path: What is...

by Baron

Off the Beaten Path: What is called 'traboules'. Secret passageways that link one street to the other accross anonymous building. Here's part of a tour that is offered at the city's Tourism office. Starting on the street along the river behind the cathedral, go downstream and enter the #19, Quai Fulchiron and take the small street that opens on StGeorges. At #48, go up the Montee des Epies, then turning into rue Armand Calliat and Montee du Gourguillon. Go up to the park at #48 of Montee du Chemin Neuf, there is a nice view of the city (you'll also realize that you could have avoided being out of breath by taking the subway). Going down Chemin Neuf, leave the waterfalls on your left after the Youth Hostel to reach rue du Boeuf. On your left will be Montee des Chazeaux (at #36), and while climbing the 251 steps turn back and have a look at the view. Walk down along Montee St Barthelemy, past the Villa Florentine (probably one of the top 5 restaurants in town) and montee du Garillon, which will take you back down to Place du Petit College. Enjoy the Gadagne Museum on rue... Gadagne and follow rue Juiverie with the ruelle Punaise ('Bug lane'), which actually was an open-air sewer in the middle-ages, at #18 and maison
Bullioud at #8. From StPaul station go back to the old St Jean through rues Laineries and StJean. #17 rue des 3 maries takes you to 20 quai Romain Rolland and #11 takes you to #3 Place du Gouvernement (facing #12, StJean). On St Jean street try pushing all the doors you see, particularly #22 and 24. The latter takes you to #1 rue du Boeuf. At the corner of the rue de la Bombarde, have a look at the House of Lawyers accross #13. Entering # 68 St Jean you will arrive at #3, rue des Antonins, a stone throw away from the Cathedral. Go to the nearby cafe on the left side of St Jean Street (from the cathedral, can't miss it, it looks so small, dark and typical) or walk around the church and rest a bit in the archeologicalgarden Cross the river back to place Bellecour using the pedestrian bridge accross from the courthouse. The whole thing shouldn't have lasted longer than 1.5 to 2 hours (being slow). The tourist office also sells a small book (ca 5US$) with things to see in nevery district of the city and do-it-yourself commented tours. For 100% typical walk, try Jean-Luc Chavent, 'street teller' (phone #04 78 83 95 00).

Rue des Marronniers

by tweetycaro

Rue des Marronniers is a street close to Place Bellecour full of very nice restaurants full of local dishes. The local culinary specialties are plentiful and varied: pork products and "Cervelle de Canuts" soft cheese with herbs, "bugnes" beignets, fried pork fat, Lyonnais salad, "tablier de sapeur" tripes, "gras double" tripes, "petit salé" ham with lentils, "quenelles" dumplings (a mixture of butter, semolina and fish), black pudding, "andouillette" chitterling sausage, "paillasson" fried hashed potatoes, and more, if you're still hungry!

See The Early 13C Medallion Stained Glass Windows

by hquittner

The lower windows of the east end of the cathedrals are set with medallions of early stained glass. The central panel is the Redemption window with Jesus at the top in a mandorla. The six scenes starting from the bottom are an Annunciation, Birth, Crucifixion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension. In the next panel are scenes from the early life of Jesus (we illustrate one showing the Three Magi Asleep. In the clerestory above are later 13C windows, one showing Mary and John centrally and two Apostles in the next window. (We also show a detail from the North Rose Window).

The Best Inner Facade In Vieux Lyon

by hquittner

We think that the finest building in Old Lyon is the Hotel Bullioud. It was built by Philibert Delorme (or de l'Orme) in 1536 in Renaissance style. It has corner pavilions. He was from Lyon and this was the first building that he created in his great career. On the rue du Boeuf is a group of buildings together creating a hotel with its entrance containing a tall tower, the "Tour Rose". On another street is a long building with stone decoration topped by lion heads and near by a Statue of the Virgin at a street corner.

A City you will always Remember!

by timtrina

"We will return someday........"

After leaving Avignon, we were starting to feel like we should just go home - it wasn't a great experience, and we'd just about had enough! After driving for a few hours, the city of Lyon was like a breath of fresh air - very charming and welcoming - our only regret about staying in Lyon, is that the trip was too short. The shopping there is unbelievably good - the food was fantastic and the people are just so friendly. No trip to France would be complete without a visit to this beautiful city.