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The start of my European trip
Eight years ago (wow time flies), as part of our European holiday, my friend Sandy and I travelled to Lyon where we stayed with an Aussie friend who lived in a magnificent three bedroom apartment opposite a large urban park featuring a lake, sports facilities, mini-golf and a small zoo. The park has several smaller parks within and most mornings Sandy and I would run around the inner track of the park.
Lyon is a really beautiful city and on our first day we took a walk around the city and also along the riverfront.
On our first day our friend kindly took us around and showed us the bus and the train station then took us to lunch. Then on one of our days we took the ‘hop on/hop off’ bus around the city and enjoyed the beautiful sights and fabulous buildings. This really is a great way of seeing the major sights of any city.
We hopped off the bus near Old Lyon (Vieux Lyon) which is one of Europe’s most extensive Renaissance neighbourhoods and popped into a wonderful bookshop selling antiquarian books and I bought a beautiful leather covered edition of ‘Madame Bovary’ by Gustave Flaubert…a book I enjoyed reading many years ago. Then a funny thing happened, Sandy and I were walking along the street when out of this great sweet shop walked three people we worked with in Australia. They were in Lyon attending a conference…we couldn’t believe it and just burst out laughing after our initial shock!!
One Saturday our friend drove us to the fresh food markets where we shopped for cheese and bread whilst our friend bought her usual fresh fruit and vegetables. On the way to the markets, I saw one of the coolest things in Lyon, a corner building (La Fresque des Lyonnais) which on one side looks like a normal building but the other two sides, the walls are completely covered with murals which depict famous Lyonese in each of the painted windows – it’s a great building to check out.
(above photo: http://www.minhzie.com)
Our friend recommended we take a tour to Eze on the French Riviera (great suggestion I must say) and we did just that on our way from Nice to Monte Carlo. It’s a beautiful ancient village perched on rock 1,400 feet above sea level with spectacular views of the French Mediterranean.
This medieval village centres on the ruins of a 12th-century castle and the oldest building in the village dates back to 1306. Its buildings are so quaint and utterly charming.
Its many shops, art galleries, hotels and restaurants attract a large number of tourists and honeymooners.
As a result, Èze has become dubbed by some a village-musée, a ‘museum village’, as there are still a few residents of local origin living here.
At the time we visited, the beautiful villas were wrapped in stunning pink bougainvillea; a lovely sight to see along with many other beautiful trees and flowers.
I loved Lyon and Eze – such beautiful places to visit.
Rosie said:
I’m currently living in Lyon, lovely to see your pictures! The “fresques” are one of my favourite things about Lyon, did you see “Le Mur des Canuts” in the Croix-Rousse? That mural is particularly interesting as it’s updated every decade to reflect changes in life in Lyon!
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Little Miss Traveller said:
Great post! We have visited Eze when we stayed in Nice but haven’t been to Lyon. That building looks so realistic with the painted windows, thanks for pointing it out. Also, a lovely photo of you looking relaxed, too!
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Lignum Draco said:
The troupe l’oeil murals on the buildings are fantastic.
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feralc4t said:
Lyon is awesome, some great places to go nearby as well..
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Bulldog Travels said:
Stunning places to visit. I love the elevation changes. It makes the walkways look so much more interesting and they are already beautiful to begin with. Love the doors too.
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Marta said:
Beautiful places! Will you write more about your trip to Europe? I’m curious, hehe. Did you visit Spain too?
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
I just took a look in net to see Le Mur des Canuts and I did not see it. How unfortunate. Bet you are loving Lyon. Thanks for stopping by Rosie.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much. It’s lovely to hear you have been to Eze. I really loved it there.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes truly amazing. Thank you as always.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much. They both were beautiful. Yes agree with your view of the walkways.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hi Marta. Yes I will write a bit more but only went to France/Monaco/Wales ( where I was born) and London on that trip but have been to Spain many (many) years ago as a young girl of 21 years. Stunning country you have.
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Rotwein Wanderer said:
Seems Lyon is worth a visit. Didn’t know it has such a charm!
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Amy said:
We visited Lyon 10 years ago. I really like the old town.
These are great photos, reminded me the beautiful city so much. Thank you, Sue! 🙂
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Sophie said:
Sue, you do know your classics in France! Great to read you went to Eze. On a beautiful clear day, while driving up to Eze, there are like one or two turns on the hill from which you can see afar the island of Corsica. That always leaves an impression on me as Corsica is not close at all and it feels amazing that it is actually possible to see it (but only from one or two specific locations on the road)! Lovely post, as always.
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carentaylor said:
What a wonderful trip for you and friends encountered too! The murals are amazing! Lyon looks like a beautiful place to spend time in! I’m sure you have many happy memories of your visit 🙂
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JohnRH said:
Love the stone buildings. And the mural building!
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes it’s a lovely city and really worth a visit.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
You are most welcome Amy. I am so glad it brought back lovely memories for you. Thank you as always for stopping by.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you Sophie. I feel so blessed having visited Eze. It certainly was a beautiful place. Thank you fir the additional information. Very interesting.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much Caron. We certainly did have a great time.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much John.
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America On Coffee said:
Beautiful’
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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sidran said:
Lovely post.I liked the mural building and the medieval village.Reminded me of Toledo.When are you going to Morocco?
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Hello. Thank you. And I had some sad news within my family so had to cancel two days before I was due to depart. So lost a lot of money but family comes first of course. Thank you for remembering my friend.
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sidran said:
Sorry to hear that.Yes,family matters most.
Some other time soon—.Cheers.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much.
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apeanutbutterfiend said:
I wish I could travel to all the places you go to, I’m envious! I loved the murals on the building….
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J.D. Riso said:
That chance meeting is amazing. I can imagine the shock. Your account of these two French cities makes me want to visit. I’ve got French citizenship, but have so far never made it to either. There is so much to see in France.
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes it’s certainly a beautiful country and I do hope you get there to see Lyon & Eze. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
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Bipasha said:
I haven’t been to Lyon but it sounds very nice. Eze is definitely a personal favorite 🙂
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Yes Lyon is very nice. I loved Eze. How beautiful is that place!! Thank you for stopping by.
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Joyce Belfort said:
I love how you’ve captured the city! Such beautiful shots. Looks like the city hasn’t changed that much since your visit haha
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SueT唐 梦 琇 said:
Thank you very much Joyce. Lovely compliment.
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