Lyon Easter Sunday sightseeing

Today was our day for exploring Lyon, on foot. And boy did we explore. Walked over 25kms. I started early. While Clarissa had a lie in and Thibault went to the hotel's rather under-equipped gym, I headed into the city centre on a gloriously blue-skied day. A perfect day for sightseeing, warm without being hot. Sort of edge between light jumper and t-shirt weather.

Place Bellecour, the epitome of a grand square.

A weird colourful art exhibit (I was going to say sculpture but not sure it fits the term). Basically a metallic bouquet of flowers. If you are wondering about the slightly odd camera angle showing only the top, that is to cut out the temporary metal fencing that surrounds it to stop people reaching it.

So here it is with the fencing. See why I tried to cut it out?

 The city is overlooked by the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere (more of which later).

Wonderful fountain in Place des Terreux, the horses apparently representing rivers straining to reach the ocean

But my aim while I was on my own was to visit the Musee des Beaux-Arts. Which was, I can only say, utterly marvellous. I could have spent a day in here rather than a late morning, but hey ho.... Maybe another time.

The courtyard alone is worth a visit.

The sculpture gallery was probably my favourite part. And as I visited it first I did at least have a decent amount of time in it. I love these huge sculpture galleries where you can see everything at once as well as each individual item.

There is a substantial archaeological section. 

Many of the rooms (since this was a palace) are more worthy of attention than the exhibits.

And so finally to the paintings. Really had nowhere near enough time to enjoy the wide range of the collection

Lucas Cranach

Thibault has often described Christianity (especially catholicism) as a death cult and these two grand photos rather exemplify this. A martyrdom of two saints I had never heard of in the most gruesome detail, taking their torture and death with delightful stoicism. I can't help feeling there is more than a touch of S&M about it all!!

Anyway, my rush towards the end was in order to meet up with my travelling companions for a Japanese lunch....

Then back out into the city with a target of climbing up to the Basilica.

Next to the basilica are the remains of not one, but two, Roman theatres.

And finally the Basilica. Quite a steep climb after a big lunch!

An exhibition on the Turin Shroud in the crypt, not over-emphasizing the fact that it was found scientifically to be a medieval fake rather than a relic of Christ's resurrection. Of course. Not as if any of it is real. 

As you would expect, terrific views down onto the city

Although this looks like a railway station, it is in fact the opera house.

And finally we walked to the great park in Lyon, Parc de la Tete d'Or.

 The park is big enough to have its own (kids) railway

And its own public zoo.

Red pandas

A sad looking leopard

A good sized flock of flamingos.

And a giraffe enclosure

After all that it was too early for dinner so we tried to find a bar. And came across this one, which was a bar aimed at people who like board and card games.

We played a card game called "Shit happens", which had the added challenge of translating the French cards. It was genuinely good fun.

And finally dinner in a cellar!

And then walk home by the river at night.

Would definitely recommend Lyon for a city break. Lovely city with plenty to see. And we could have done more day trips if we had the time. And the trains weren't on strike.....