John in Lyon Day 2

Our first stop the next day, was at our favorite boulangerie for coffee-crème and their delicious pastries.  We go there so often that they anticipate our requests and stop for short conversations when we bump into each other elsewhere in the neighborhood. And, of course their pastries and baguettes are amazing.  (John was impressed enough to these photos.)

Our next destination was Vieux Lyon, the oldest part of Lyon.  We got off our bus at the stop by the Gare St Paul and wandered down narrow rue Saint-Jean while taking in the many old buildings and shops and reading many of the history plaques.   

A view of Vieux Lyon

This area was once the center of Lyon’s silk industry before it was moved up the hill to Croix Rouge.  In order to protect their silk from the elements, the silk workers used Traboules, covered passageways between buildings, up stairways, between apartments, between streets, etc., as they carried the silk around.  (These Traboules also came in handy for the Resistants during WWII as they dodged any Nazis or friends of Nazis chasing them.) 

This door to a Traboule looks innocent enough, but where does it go?

To an ancient stairway and then where?

To a patio and another door?

We continued our walk through Vieux Lyon and reached Place Sainte-Jean with the impressive Cathedral Sainte-Jean, completed in 1476.  Unfortunately, the Cathedral is closed on Mondays, and we were unable to go in.  (Something to save for next time!)

Cathedral Sainte-Jean

We were heading for the nearby Metro station, and the Funicular that would take us up Fourvière Hill. Fourvière Hill is home to La Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière and arguably the most spectacular views of Lyon as well as some impressive Roman amphitheaters.  (It is possible to walk or drive up Fourvière Hill if you like a lot switchbacks and hair pin turns, but taking the Funicular is much more fun.)

Climb in and get ready to go!

Watching a funicular car heading up the hill.

At the top of the hill, we got off and walked across to the courtyard in front of the Basilica of Notre-Dame of Fourvière. The Basilica is the work of the architects Pierre Bossan and Sainte-Marie Perrin. It was built thanks to a public subscription in 1872 and consecrated in 1896.  It is sits at the top of Fourvière hill and is visible from almost everywhere in Lyon.

The Basilica from part way down the hill.

And, speaking of views, in our next post we will next share some spectacular views with you.