July 11th 2023

To avoid the max heat I started quite early and took the metro up to the funicular that goes up to the basilica. These lines are actually part of the regular public service, complete with free transfer from the metro. Brilliant.

The basilica is clean and white with great ornaments.

Is is highly decorated inside, with gold ornaments and mosaic. Really striking with the black pillars.

The ceiling is partly painted, partly inlays and also ornamented with gold.

Outside there is an olive garden where you can place your ribbons if you want to make a wish or a prayer.

Even with the morning haze it was still a beautiful view of Lyon. The river closest is the Saòne and the green line further away is the Rhòne. The main and somewhat newer part of the city lies between the river.

Going back down again, I visited the cathedral, which is much less decorated than the basilica on the hill.

The cathedral of Lyon has one of the most famous astronomical clocks in the world. 9 meters tall and from the 14th century, it was made based on a geocentric world view. It is currently being restored.

I went to a local restaurant and had a light lunch with a freshwater fish on top of some ratatouille, and a small piece of light cake with blueberry vanilla sauce.

After lunch I spent some time in the local shops, and true to my vices I bought too much strange stuff…

I relaxed through the heat of the afternoon and just went out for some food at a recommended local place. Turned out to be a hotel restaurant which is normally not my cup of tea. But this one was good.

Had sweetbread of calf, a very tender lamb with peas, and again could not resist the cheeses…

It was still over 30 degrees celcius when i returned to the hotel at 23h.