LOVING LYON

Yesterday was a shortish trip from Dijon to Lyon. We drove through the Rhone and Saone valleys, another picturesque scene of vineyards and rural villages with the re-emergence of substantial Chateaux along the way.

These glazed tile roofs are a feature in this area

 Just 'crusing' ..

Makes a grown man cry!

We stopped in Beaune, pronounced 'bon', the wine capital of Burgundy.There were wines in the window we have only dreamt of drinking. Nuits St George etc etc.

The market place, but not today!

Lyon is the second largest city and is considered the food capital of France. There are more three hatted restaurants in this area than anywhere else! So it was compulsory that we visited the restorated 'Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse', perhaps France's most famous chef who hails from these parts. Very upmarket, the range and quality of the food was amazing.

Knocking on Heavens door!

Tuesday was a quiet day

Pol who? Good company eh?

It was nearly lunchtime so we indulged ourselves a little, a dozen oysters - six each of two types washed down by some Tattinger Champagne. Bliss, is all I can say!

Nothing better!

For you Tim, note the collar!
(MOF, Meilleur Ouvrier de France,
  is Frances highest food honour)

The Rhone and Saone rivers meet in Lyon, the city divided by the rivers with beautiful bridges and barges tied up at the docks.

Riverside

The magnificent Hotel de Ville ...

and Opera house were on the way to the markets today.

We have more to explore, the nearby bohemian area, Crois-Rousse and the old part of Lyon, St-Jean and St-Paul are saved for tomorrow.