Viking River Cruise: Lyon France

OK, today is the last day of our Viking River Cruise (click here to view our Trip Overview Page) and today is the more interesting Lyon city tour. There is another tour departing for Cluny, France - but that one required a two hour bus ride in each direction. So we make the easy decision that we\'d rather see the city in more detail.

The Lyon City tour first stop is at La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière which is another amazing example of a Gothic Church. Built with private funds in 1872 to 1884, on the site of what was once the Roman forum of Trajan.

Depending upon your plans, the Lyon Day Pass is worth a look; Tours, Transportation, Cultural Activities – 1,2, 3 or 4 days. Click the image to go to their website.

• Lyon is part of the UNESCO's World Heritage.
• Lyon has the restaurant which is among the best restaurants over the longest period of time.
• Lyon was the birthplace of cinema.
• The "Petit Prince" book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is the 4th most translated book in the World. Beautiful illustrations were also drawn by Saint-Exupéry himself.
• Lyon has 400 secret passageways.
• In Roman times, Lyon – at least Fourvière, the ancient part – was called Lugdunum and everything that came from Rome heading towards the northern colonies transited through here, making the city a crucial crossroads. The fact that two rivers, the Rhône and the Saône, meet here helped make it strategic.
• The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, high on the hill above the Roman ruins, was built on top of the Roman forum of Trajan.
• Nostradamus predicted several events in Lyon − correctly.
• The hot air balloon was invented in Lyon.
• Lyon boasts the first female chef to get three Michelin stars.

La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière Interior

Constructed during 1872 - 1884, the interior is a beautiful example of the neo-byzantine-gothic style. Because it is still a church in operation, the guides insist on silence and no flash photography.

La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière Exterior

These images were taken outside the Basilica, and because it sits high above Lyon on a ridge, the views of the city below are superb.

Although you cannot see it in these pictures, the rear area of this church is next to a wall that overlooks the city of Lyon below the ridge that the church is located on. The view is fantastic - the church grounds are approximately 928 feet above sea level, while the majority of Lyon is at 550 feet above sea level. Gives you some idea of the height of the ridge eh?

Image two was taken in front of the basilica, as we had to queue up there waiting to be allowed inside. They limit the number of people inside to avoid any type of damage to the interior.

Image # 1 is a view of the Cathedral from the city of Lyon below. On a clear day, the Cathedral can be seen for miles due to it's elevation.

Because the basilica sits high up on a ridge, it is one of the most visible landmarks in the city, and one of the symbols of the city of Lyon. It gives Lyon its status as a “Marian city”. About two million tourists are welcomed each year in the basilica. The basilica complex includes not only the building, the Saint-Thomas chapel and the statue, but also the panoramic esplanade, the Rosary garden and the Archbishopric of Lyon.

The Lyon Fresco (aka "La Fresque des Lyonnais")

At first glance you see what appears to be a very busy building, with people walking by or standing on balconies… but take a closer look and you’ll see that this is actually one giant fresco! Painted with the trompe-l’oeil – or “trick of the eye” – technique, this giant fresco celebrates over thirty local figures who have made their mark over 2,000 years of Lyonnais history, from the Roman emperor Claudius to the renowned chef Paul Bocuse.

The Opéra Nouvel (Nouvel Opera House) in Lyon, France is the home of the Opéra National de Lyon. The original opera house was re-designed by the distinguished French architect, Jean Nouvel between 1985 and 1993 in association with the agency of scenography dUCKS scéno and the acoustician Peutz. Serge Dorny was appointed general director in 2003.

 Compact and Accessible

• Size: Vieux Lyon is relatively small, making it easy to explore on foot within a few hours.
• Layout: The area is primarily pedestrian-only, with limited vehicle traffic, which enhances the walking experience.

 Cultural and Historical Richness

• Architecture: The area is filled with well-preserved buildings from the 15th to 17th centuries, including colorful facades, ornate details, and courtyards.
• Landmarks: Major sites like Saint Jean Cathedral, Musée Gadagne, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière are within walking distance of each other.

 Cobblestone Streets

• Surfaces: The streets are mainly cobblestone, which adds to the charm but can be uneven, so wearing comfortable shoes is highly recommended.
• Stairs: Some areas, especially those leading up to the Fourvière hill, have steep stairs, which can be challenging but offer rewarding views.

 Traboules (Hidden Passageways)

• Unique Experience: These secret pathways connect streets through buildings and courtyards, offering a unique way to explore the area. Some are open to the public, allowing for a more immersive experience.
• Navigation: While fascinating, the traboules can be a bit confusing to navigate for first-time visitors, adding an element of adventure to your walk.

 Shops and Cafés

• Local Businesses: The area is filled with boutiques, cafés, and traditional restaurants known as bouchons, where you can take breaks and enjoy local cuisine.
• Atmosphere: The lively atmosphere, especially in the evenings, makes it a pleasant area for leisurely strolls.

The area can get crowded, particularly during peak tourist seasons, which might slow down your walk but also adds to the vibrant atmosphere. Access to the area via the Lyon Metro would be via Cordeliers station, approximately a 5 min walk away.

This is a square located in the center of Lyon on the Presqu'île between the Rhône and the Saône rivers, at the foot of the hill of La Croix-Rousse in the 1st arrondissement. The square belongs to the zone classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This area is surrounded by shops, restaurants, narrow streets, statues and sometimes excellent views of the church up on the hill.

The building in the center of the first image, is the Hôtel de Ville de Lyon the city hall of the City of Lyon and one of the largest historic buildings in the city, located between the Place des Terreaux and the Place de la Comédie, in front of the Opera Nouvel. Since 12 July 1886, the building has been classified as a Monument historique.

The statue shown in image # 2, is the "Fontaine Bartholdi" a fountain sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. The sculptor is also the artist who designed the Statue of Liberty, which made him famous in France. There is also a Bartholdi Fountain in Washington D.C.

Celeste and I decided to have our last meal ashore, rather than sit through another "formal" meal onboard the Viking Heimdal. This was not a comment on the ship's food (it was good), but more of a "we are not truly hungry, and we wanted to have something local" before we leave Lyon. We found a small restaurant in the La Confluence Mall, and we had gallettes - if you have never had one, do a Google Search, because they are fantastic!

Although I came back to the ship to let my back and leg nerves get a break, Celeste went on a walk and discovered some interesting architecture. Images 1 and 4 are of the "Orange Cube" building on the Saône River near the La Confluence Mall. This six-story building is separated into a double-height showroom on the ground floor and offices on the upper levels, with a roof terrace surrounding offices on the sixth floor.

Image 2 is of the La Confluence Mall, and as you can see, it is very distinctive architecture. When the Viking Heimdal moved to the Saône River, we were docked immediately next to this mall. Image 3 is another cube building, similar to the Orange building.

There is a wide range of shops, from international brands to local boutiques, as well as a diverse culinary scene offering everything from casual bites to fine dining.

NOTE: Click here to view a Google Images set of pictures for this area of Lyon.

• Just Traveling Thru European Travel Tips
• Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
• Lyon History on the 'Britannica' site
• Things to see & do in Lyon on the 'Crazy Tourist' site
• Things to see & do in Lyon on the 'Travel US News' site
• Things to see & do in Lyon on the 'Culture Trip' site
• Google Search Results list for "Lyon Restaurants"
• Google Search Results list for "Lyon Accommodations"
• Amazon Search Results list for "Lyon France"
• Visit our Youtube Channel
• Old Town Walking Tour of Lyon from the "Get Your Guide" site

• Wikipedia Article for Lyon
• Google Images set for Lyon
• Google Reviews for Lyon, France