After catching up with cycling fanatics, (and sometimes residents of France) the Jones's, we got excited to explore Lyon and prepare to catch the Tour. Lyon revealed itself as a pleasant surprise on our travels through France. We stayed in a central location (ie. the hotel was crap but the location was brilliant) between where the rivers Soane and Rhone meet. It was a great location, short walking distance from key locations. Lyon is like a smaller version of Paris and we just fell in love with the place, deciding we would fly straight in there on our next visit to France. It just oozes beauty, culture, and the food is to die for and a fraction of the price of meals in Paris. In fact, one of our best meals in Lyon included three courses of the most beautiful food (terrine, canard margret - duck, and tart) for 18 euro per head!
The tour was a great experience. We had been given the heads up by seasoned followers of The Tour (the Jones's), that it was essential to get down early to get "swag". Swag? About an hour or two before the bikes come through, all the sponsor vehicles come through, decked out like show floats, tossing out freebies to the crowd. It's great fun, particularly for the kids and really adds to the excitement of the event.
Watching the bikes come through was a brief but exciting experience which left us buzzing as we strolled back across the river with the throngs of punters. As we crossed the bridge back to our hotel, and the late afternoon sun sparkled on the river, and bathed the city of Lyon in its golden light, I longed for a few more days in this city.......xoxo
Pics below... Lyon and Le Tour....
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