We spent some time exploring the various parts of Lyon, our new home for the month of April. The center of Lyon is located on the presqu’ile (press-KEEL), a narrow peninsula between the Rhone and Saone Rivers, just upstream from their confluence. The presqu’ile is only about 1 km wide and about 5 km long so it is easily walkable. It contains many of Lyon’s best shops and restaurants, as well as the city hall, Hotel de Ville de Lyon.
At the center of the presqu’ile is Place Bellecour, the largest square in Lyon and the cultural heart of the city. There is a large equestrian statue of Louis XIV in the center of the square. Place Bellecour has been the site of many celebrations and demonstrations over the years. During our time in Lyon we witnessed a huge demonstration by striking railroad workers, including a large bonfire right in Place Bellecour.
We wanted to see the actual confluence of the rivers so we took the streetcar to the end of the presqu’ile so we could take a look. Lyon has an excellent public transportation system consisting of buses, streetcars, and an underground Metro, so you can easily get to any part of the city. We bought a transit pass for the month of April so we had unrestricted transportation while we were in Lyon.
The Rhone and the Saone are both major rivers flowing out of the Alps, so the confluence was quite impressive. There is a lot of water there, making its way to the Mediterranean near Marseilles. There is a new museum right near the confluence, the Musee des Confluences. It is a science and anthropology museum which opened its doors in December 2014. We didn’t enter the museum but we enjoyed seeing its modern architecture. Locals in Lyon liken it to a spaceship, although the architect said it was inspired by clouds. What’s your take?
