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February 18, 2013

Lyon - Silk and Gastronomy

Our second day in the city of Lyon begins with an optional excursion (39 Euros) to the city's Silk Museum and a foodie's paradise, Les Halles Paul BocuseThe tour began at 8:30 a.m. with our departure for La Maison des Canut in the Croix Rousse area, where the art and history of silk weaving in Lyon were explained.


The Silk Museum of Lyon



Manual Silk Weaving Loom


Following the demonstration we were able to buy silk scarves, available in a rainbow of colors.


Hand Painted Silk Scarves


Then we continued to the market hall named for famed French chef Paul Bocuse - Les Halles Paul Bocuse. This is where the city's chefs shop for their restaurants. Lyon is considered the capital of French gastronomy.


Les Halles Paul Bocuse, Lyon





Les Halles Paul Bocuse


Les Halles - Frog's Legs


Les Halles - Foie Gras


Les Halles - Escargot


Les Halles - Legs of Ham


Les Halles - Cheese 


Les Halles - Calisson and Coussin de Lyon


Les Halles - Coussin de Lyon


Les Halles - Candied Fruits


Les Halles - Exquisite Cakes


After the many temptations of the food hall we were ready for lunch, which we enjoyed on the sun deck of the Scenery despite the overcast skies. French music played while we dined on grilled meats and salads.



Lunch on the deck of the Avalon Scenery in Lyon


We decided not to take the afternoon excursion to the medieval town of Pérouges (39 Euros) so we could spend more time exploring Lyon on our own.



River cruise vessels docked in Lyon


Rhone River View, Lyon



Family of Swans on the Rhone River, Lyon


We walked along Quai Bernard for a while and found a large outdoor swimming pool on the riverbank. Then we crossed one of the many bridges to the Presqu'ile area of the city which sits between the Rhone and Saone Rivers.



Pool on the banks of the Rhone River in Lyon


While on the city bus tour the previous day I'd seen the The Flower Tree in Place Antonin Poncet near Place Bellecour, but now I had an opportunity to get close enough to take pictures. The metallic bouquet of 85 flowers was designed by South Korean artist Jeong Hwa Choi for the Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2003.



The Flower Tree in Place Antonin Poncet, Lyon


Carousel in Lyon


We continued on through the shopping district to Place des Terreaux, where we found the Bartholdi Fountain and Hotel de Ville (City Hall).



Bartholdi Fountain in Place des Terreaux, Lyon



Hotel de Ville, Lyon's City Hall


There was one item on my wish list for our visit to Lyon: escargot. Pedestrian-only Rue des Marronniers is lined with restaurants and we settled on Le Comptoir des Marronniers. I had to dust off my high school French to order them, but they were delicious!


Escargot Bourguignon at Le Comptoir des Marronniers



Then we returned to the ship before her departure from Lyon at 6:15 p.m.



Notre-Dame Basilica and Metallic Tower on Fourvière Hill, Lyon


Avalon Scenery


Avalon Scenery double-docked in Lyon


Coat of Arms of the city of Lyon


In the morning we would tour the towns of Tournon and Viviers.


Next:  French Wine, Chocolate and Music



2 comments:

  1. Wow, love Lyon. Could never live there, because the food is just too good and too rich. : ) But I do love visiting. Fantastic photos! My kids are addicted to escargots Bourguignons. Didn't get it from me...

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I do prefer the Mediterranean diet. Delicious food and good for you too.

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