July 10th 2023

Lyon is situated at the confluence where Saòne flows into the Rhòne. The old town of Lyon is on the left bank of the Saòne.

More narrow streets, more people, more touristy. This part is also where you find the cathedral of Lyon.

From the cathedral square you can look up to the Basilica of Notre Dame of Fourvière, perched on the hilltop. An excursion for another day.

Crossing the Saòne, the cathedral and the basilica made a beautiful pair in the back mirror.

I was lucky enough to get a table for lunch at the restaurant that is part of the culinary and hotel school of the famous Lyon chef Paul Bocuse. The entire establishment – hotel and restaurant – is run by students under the supervision of their mentors.

The iconic picture of the late chef himself – he died in 2018 – but still keeping an eye on the students…

After a nice welcome I was sat at a table and ordered a small glass of Chanpagne.

For starters I had a light leek salad with roasted calfs head, then a pice of lamb with variations of carrot. I even had room for three small pieces of cheese.

After lunch I went down to the southern tip of the confluence, where a modern museum proudly sits.

So here it is, where the Saòne and the Rhòne meets. Rhóne to the left, Saóne to the right…

The Lion is the city emblem and is everywhere to be seen in different forms.

The tram and metro system is great – especially in such hot weather. I took the metro up to the Opèra and town hall area, where I found a café in the shadow, overlooking this sculpture that reminds me of the helmet of Darth Vader.

But other sculptures are more classical, I like this one, made by Bartholdi (the guy who made the statue of Liberty in New York). This statue represents the four rivers (in form of horses coming out of the water) close to Bordeaux – yes Bordeaux, which is far away and has nothing to to with Lyon. But apparently Bordeaux did not want it so then Lyon stepped in. It has been attempted to reinterpret the four main rivers of France. Anyway – so much energy!

It is situated in the centre of the long square in front of the town hall.

I had my dinner at Bouchon Brunet. To call yourself a Bouchon you need to be an approved local restaurant that serves predominantly Lyon specialities. There is a lot of them, and looking in they all have a local cozy vibe. Affordable food and drink.

Lyon cuisine does not waste any part of the animal. So for the evening dish I had lentil salad with cow snout/nose, followed by a tripe steak, also from cow. Finished with a light apricot gazpacho.

Happy and full of both impressions and great food, I took the main pedestrian streets back to my hotel.