Lovely Lyon

Last weekend I traveled all the way to Lyon to spend about 36 hours in this gorgeous city, exploring with fellow Fulbrighters Susan and Ellen and checking out the famous Fete des Lumieres (Festival of Lights). It was a quick but relaxing weekend, and I’ve decided Lyon is definitely a city worth a second visit. The mobs of tourists made it nearly impossible to see the attractions, so I think I'll book a return trip in the spring. 

I had all kinds of travel drama Friday evening that included a flight delay and an excruciatingly expensive taxi ride to the hotel, but sitting in the bar Friday night, sipping French wine (in France!!!) with my friends helped me let go of the chaos and just enjoy the moment. It was definitely one of those I-Can’t-Believe-This-Is-Really-My-Life moments that I seem to be having quite often these days.

The next morning we slept in late and then made our way to the city. Our first stop was a for a nice lunch because Lyon is known as France’s gastronomical capital. We were not disappointed! We did have to wait around for almost an hour to get a table because Lyon was packed full of tourists in town for the fete, but the wait was so worth it! I chose from the set menu and had the best meal: crab soufflé with lobster sauce for the starter, beef in a wine and shallot sauce for the main, and an amazing melty chocolate dessert. Yum! We also had some nice drinks with our meal, and about two hours later, we left the restaurant in major food comas. Needless to say, we didn’t get hungry again for hours!

The restaurant's menu posted outside, all lit up for the festival.

The restaurant had a very neat cellar/cabin feel to it. Tres chic!

Forgot to take a picture of my amazing souffle, but here's my main. 

Isn't that pretty! Love the heart plate!

One of the decorations in this cool, funky restaurant--a bathtub goldfish pond.

We spent the rest of the day walking around the city, sipping hot, mulled wine and ducking into shops here and there. When the darkness crept in around 4:30 p.m., we made sure to catch as many of the light shows as we could find. During the festival (which is in honor of Jesus’ mother Mary), different light shows are displayed on buildings all over the city. They are all very “artsy” and unique, and we never really knew what we would find. My favorite was along the riverbank where music played, the buildings lit up in different colors and small candles were floated down the river.  There is also a beautiful tradition where everyone puts lit candles in their windows at night, so as you walk through the city, all the windows were illuminated. Lyon is  a gorgeous city on it’s own, but lit up with lights made it even more special and beautiful.

Roasting chestnuts!

Susan, Ellen and I on either the Rhone or the Saone river...can't remember!

Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere, which we weren't able to visit because there were too many people.

Bellecour Square 

Bellecour Square

About to head into the Christmas market...which was a huge mistake because of the overcrowding. 

Here you can see what I mean by the buildings having light shows displayed on them.

Night in Bellecour Square

We stopped into this bakery for some cookies.

Watching the light show from across the river.

Watching the lights show. There's one of the tiny candles floating down the river.

As we turned away from the river, we saw these guys approaching. A huge parade of giant festival animals.

Then we got to watch a silhouette puppet show from behind. It was like watching the Wizard work his magic in Wizard of Oz!

The night ended with a gorgeous fireworks display.

One last lights show on the walk out of the city.

This building is painted to look like huge bookcase! LOVE!

All the devoted, leaving candles lit for mother Mary.