Walking tour of Lyon

Lyon sits at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. It is the third most populated city of France. Once the capital of the Gauls. It was a major economic centre of the Renaissance and is now recognised as a city of gastronomy and cuisine. Let’s take a walking tour of Lyon.

Our first walking tour followed our lunch at Daniel & Denise restaurant. We wandered the narrow streets admiring the buildings.

We definitely needed to walk after our long flight and big lunch. However, we hadn’t anticipated how far it was back to our hotel. So we paused to take in the views of the Saône River.

Walking back to the hotel via Quai des Celestins

On our first afternoon we stopped by Casabea for an apperitif on our way back to the hotel

It started to rain, so we took the opportunity to stop at Casabea restaurant and bar for a drink. It had a nice friendly vibe and provided extra entertainment when staff began chasing a visiting rat, around the tables and chairs with a broom, before it was finally caught. Like a scene from the movie, Ratatouille.

Continuing our walk back to the hotel, we spotted this boat on Rhône River. It is Café Oz The Australian Bar.

The following morning, we took a taxi from our hotel to the old town. Our first stop for the day was in the 5eme, called Saint-Paul. We chose “Caf Comptoir l’Apostrophe” at 6 Rue Octavio Mey for our petit dejeneur of cappuccino and croissants. The café’s interior was old fashioned with ornate wood panelling. I took the opportunity to get out my sketching kit and make a sketch in my travel journal.

The very elegant railway station Gare de Saint-Paul

C’est moi outside Caf Comptoir l’Apostrophe and photos above inside

After breakfast we had an hour or so before the silk tour was due to commence. We walked along the quiet cobbled back streets from Saint-Paul via the Saône River bank, to Saint-Jean.

Chris capturing our morning walk in Lyon’s old town as we walked the cobbled streets from Saint-Paul via the Saône River bank, to Saint-Jean.

Colourful buildings line the streets opposite the river

I really liked the varied architecture of Lyon. The colours of the buildings with embellishments like sculptures, balconies and signage, made it a very interesting walk. A beautiful blend of old and new art. Remember to keep looking up so you don’t miss the quaint and quirky.

Of course there was an array of beautiful doors to keep me delighted.

This lovely sculpture of Annie et Régis Neyret

This is the lovely sculpture of Annie and Régis Neyret, at 3 quai Romain-Rolland. They both died in 2019, just a few months apart. They were long term champions for preserving old Lyon. In the 1960’s, they partitioned against Mayor Louis Pradel (named Concrete Willy by our silk tour guide). The mayor wanted to knock down the old buildings to make way for a highway. I’m so glad that he didn’t succeed and we can continue to enjoy the beauty and history of this area.

Annie et Régis Neyret champions of preserving Vieux Lyon

Cour d’appel de Lyon (Court of Appeal of Lyon). Photo taken from the Passerelle du Palais de Justice, a pedestrian bridge spanning the Saône River

The Saône River is 473km long and begins it’s journey in the north east of France. It joins the Rhône River at Lyon, south of city at a point called, La Confluence. We were staying in the 6eme and you cross both rivers to arrive in the old town.

Saône River views above and below

We retreated from the rainy weather into Cathédrale Saint-Jean Baptiste above and then into a local cafe for coffee and a raspberry tart. I did another little sketch in my travel diary.

We certainly worked up an appetite after the 2 hour silk tour and to escape the next downpour, we chose restaurant Le Palais Saint Jean for a hearty lunch.

Lunch was at Le Palais Saint Jean

Dessert menu. Crème brulée bien sur!

After lunch, we travelled to the hilltop area, Fourvière. Come back next time to continue exploring Lyon.

À bientôt!