Lyon & Grenoble

Re-visiting a city 40 years after having lived there for a year, was a total mix of emotions. I re-visited the University where I studied, the apartment where I lived as well as many old leisure haunts, some of which, amazingly, are still there, albeit under different guises.

Lyon is a brilliant city to visit for a City Break. I twinned it with a quick dash to Grenoble - a 70 minute train ride away. Lyon has a global reputation as the 'Gastronomic Centre of the World' and this was even before the arrival of the Michelin chef, Paul Bocuse. The culinary side, didn't disappoint, as I'm sure some of my photos will relay....

The French just know how to do 'IT'. Their shop windows are always a visual pleasure and they take great pride in their window-dressing and artistry, from a humble florist, to bookshops, cheesemongers and street stalls too - everything is done just right.

Lyon has many places of interest to visit; from the avant-garde theatres, to ancient churches and basilicas; the most famous of which is Fourvière sat atop the hill, looking down on the city. When young, we would run up the MANY steps and think nothing of it, but there is a funicular if needed.

The old city of Lyon - Vieux Lyon - is a delight to wander around. It has an ancient history with its many medieval hidden alleyways, called Traboules. These played an immense part of the success of the very brave French Resistance Fighters during the German Occupation of the City in the 2nd World War. Lyon has a very sad and poignant history too, as there were many deportations of Lyonnais citizens during this Occupation, and an absolute must, is a visit to the Museum of the Resistance & Deportation, just by the rail tracks of the main station, Gare Perrache. It's not an easy visit, but I believe, like visiting Auschwitz when in Krakow, it should be done.

Place Bellecour is a famous gathering-point for the young people, before deciding which film to grab, or where to eat. Nothing has changed here in over 40 years, apart from the current renovation of the central statue.

I stayed in 3 hotels for my 3 separate nights: Hotel Globe et Cécil in Lyon; Park Hotel Grenoble MGallery, and then Hotel Royal MGallery in Place Bellecour. They were all superb in their own way. 3-4 nights is more than enough to visit this beautiful place. Often overlooked but a shame to omit. Allez-y!