LOVELY LYON

There is more to Lyon than just the affluent frontage! Away from the exorbitant boutiques and restaurants of the Peninsula bound by the Rhone and the Saone, this is a city of clandestine passageways, concealed alleys, and famed puppet theatre, silk and above all great cuisine…. 

Lyon Lyon Lyon…..France’s second major city, and an epicure’s paradise. I had heard about this metropolitan numerous times, and so I decided that this year for my summer vacations, I must include Lyon in my itinerary, So much so, that an undertaking was made, ‘I would visit Lyon’. And as the good girl that I am, I did precisely that….And what a weekend we had!

SOME HISTORY

I enjoyed strolling down the narrow cobblestone streets of Vieux Lyon, aka the Renaissance-era ‘old town,’ and was mesmerized by the French way of life. I stopped by at the Cathedral St. Jean-Baptistes a UNESCO World Heritage Site most famous for its 14th century astronomical clock built by the monks to calculate their feast days; apparently the clock is a manufacturing masterpiece. It’s as precise as our up-to-date day clocks but was designed to last only 700 years, so by 2019, it will stop working. That done, we headed to one of Lyon’s most prominent landmarks, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which is a two minute funicular ride from near the cathedral and this astoundingly constructed church gets two million visitors annually. The most remarkable time to visit is during the Festival of Lights, The Basilica multitudes choir and organ concerts, and is well-lit by candles and lights all around. In fact  whole of Lyon is lit up in each and every possible corner and the city systematizes nightly light shows. And of course you can sip warm mulled wine on the streets with the other happy revellers.

MECCA OF GASTRONOMY

It’s no hush-hush to foodies that Lyon is known for its culinary custom, the city is home to a notable twenty two Michelin stars. Here you can dig into lyonnaise specialties such as ‘boudin noir’ which is a dark blood sausage, ‘quenelles’ which are basically flour and seafood dumplings and ‘tarte aux pralines’ an interesting sugary, electric pink dessert or sip the many varieties of Rhône river valley wine. Food-wise, I would recommend sticking to Bouchons, which is how restaurants serving lyonnaise cuisine are called. The most famous specialty food market is Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. Paul Bocuse is one of France’s most renowned chefs, a local hero and also namesake to a significant cooking school and the world culinary competition known as the ‘Bocuse d’Or’.

FAST FACTS

Best Place to stay: The Royal Lyon hotel on 20 Place Bellecour is a preferably located, graceful boutique hotel from the MGallery collection, a stone’s throw from the Saone, the Rhone, and the cobbled streets of Old Lyons

Best way to Reach: Lyon is a 2 hour high speed train ride from Paris. From the train station, you can take a tram or bus into the city. You can book your tickets online from http://www.raileurope.co.in/

For More Information: Log on to http://in.rendezvousenfrance.com/

 my story first published in Statesman