We took the train directly to Lyon from Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is hot in France right now - 32C but expected to cool down in the next few days, and hopefully before we start hiking on Tuesday. Our hotel is nice and cool and very comfortable and in an area called Presqu'ile, (meaning nearly an island) and is between the Rhone and the Saone Rivers. Once we got out to explore we both felt that we would like more time here than we have. It's beautiful along the rivers with walkways, trees and gorgeous old buildings. We crossed the river Saone to Old Lyon where there are many renaissance buildings but even more cute little streets full of cafes, bars and restaurants. We went up the funicular to see Notre Dame Basilica and the incredible view overlooking Lyon. The sun was so bright and hot that it was impossible to take good pictures. As in Florence we found the sunlit areas very white and the shaded areas very dark, and we searched for shade all day. The highlight of the day we found downstairs in the basilica in an area that was to be another church but they ran out of money so the space is now used as a concert hall. We stumbled on to this beautiful mosaic of St Jacques de Compostelle and the pilgrimage routes to Santiago, a beautiful modern mosaic installed in 2004. We had coffee in another big square packed full of university students visiting Lyon on an educational tour. Dinner was another highlight when we went to a restaurant recommended by our hotel manager. We ordered the special of the day, cepes (mushrooms) picked today and cooked with chicken in a delicious sauce. Perfect with the Beaujolais we ordered - Cote de Brouilly!
Tomorrow at noon we head off on the train for Le Puy en Velay. We will have time to explore a bit more before its time to walk over to the train station. On-y-va!
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