We stayed in a mid-budget hotel that had old wicker hot air balloon baskets for the registration desk and bar. It was up a crooked flight of very narrow stairs, but it suited us just fine. There are two main train stations in Lyon and we were walking distance to one of them, in the Second arrondissement. The first day, we love taking the regular bus around town, to see the sights and decide what we will go back to see in more detail and it did not disappoint. There was a lovely little girl with face painting on our bus, from one of the numerous festivals in France. Additionally, we saw beautiful old shops, the cathedral on a hill, and a jumble of small alleyways. Let's not forget the delicious smells of a million restaurants and bakeries. Please try the famous Lyon Pink Praline! You will not be disappointed. Rick Steve's walking tour is highly recommended.
Near our hotel was an incredible antique store that specializes in miniatures. It was such a small place, with such a jumble of goods that it was almost impossible to see and choose a little memento!
Daily, we had breakfast at a lovely bakery, ordering the quiche or the ham/cheese croissants and a cappuccino each morning. The delightful clerk painstakingly corrected my pronunciation each day:)
The Confluence area is where the two rivers meet, and there is a wonderful, modern designed museum right there. Close by is the train station as well as the large Georges Brassiere that hosted multiple family birthday celebrations. We had some of the best and largest oysters I have ever had.
Lyon is famously the Foodie capital of France. We dined at Paul Bocuse's school, and ate the Lyonaisse salad wherever it was served. Additionally, there was a small, traditional restaurant that served a ham, cheese and potato dish called Tartiflette that we adored. Not one bad bite in all of Lyon!
