Lunches in Lyon

 One of the many fun things to do in Lyon is to share a meal with friends.  There are many, many restaurants in Lyon, the gourmet capital of France. Restaurants here come in all sizes and styles from “mom and pops” to larger and more formal.  Add some of the remarkable friends we have made in France, and you have a delightful recipe for great conversations on a variety of topics served with wonderful meals.

Here are some examples:

Estelle and our daughter, Jill, met when they were 15 and 16 and involved in an exchange program. Jill spent a month in Lyon with Estelle and her family, and Estelle flew back to the US with Jill and spent a month with us.  And, it was magic - we’ve been “family” ever since then.  Estelle refers to us as her American parents, and she is our French daughter.  Through the years our French family has grown to include Estelle’s husband, Laurent, their sons, her mother, and extended family.  So it’s not surprising that spending time with our French family is high on our list of priorities when we are in Lyon.

Here’s a photo of Estelle, Laurent, and us having lunch soon after we returned to Lyon this year.

When we first arrived in Lyon in 2010, we became members of AVF (Accueil des villes françaises).  This organization was initiated by and continues to be partially supported by the French government to assist both returning French and expats living in France integrate into modern French society.  Through AVF we have met folks from all over the world, and have learned about, toured, and experienced France in wonderful ways.  Recently, David attended a monthly Men’s Lunch, an event started by our good friend Roger Micallef.  

That’s David - second from the right.

Also, shortly after we first arrived in Lyon, our friends, Roger and Dominique, invited us to attend a Del Cano lunch with them.  Del Cano was started as an organization of ex-RAF folks.  Juan Sebastián Elcano (del Cano) was the Spanish navigator who completed Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe after Magellan was killed in the Philippines.  He was the unsung hero who got the job done.  Naturally, this is primarily a group of British people, although they have generously included a few of us “colonials” in their lunches.  Another group of very interesting folks from a different part of the world!  Anna went to lunch with them this week at a small restaurant in historic Vieux Lyon.  The topics of conversation varied widely and even included an invitation to the upcoming celebration of the King’s birthday.

That’s Anna on the right between the lady in pink
and the lady in blue.

Good food, interesting conversations - doesn't get much better than that!