Day Seven - Vienne and Lynon

Our guide, Mary Clair, meets us at the ship for a walking tour of Vienne -- a city with Celtic and Roman roots --- population is 30,000. Originally settled by the Celts because of the good farming soil and position on the Rhone River, the Romans came along in 48 B.C. and got things organized building an infrastructure of roads as well as workshops and warehouses along the river. A piece of an original Roman road still exists in a lovely riverside park.

Our first stop after a stroll through center city is the Musee' Lapidaire - Eglise Saint-Pierre. Here we find several Roman artifacts and mosaics displayed as if in the middle of an archealogical dig. Several ancient floors with mosiacs have been uncovered -- a sign of a wealthy city in Roman times.

After leaving the museum -- we couldn't find Phil so Dave and I lagged behind to wait for him -- thinking maybe he was in the men's room. As we watch -- we see the museum curator exiting and locking up the museum then getting in his car and driving off. Just as we begin to panic thinking Phil is locked inside with all the ancient heads and statues -- he rounds the corner to catch up with us. He'd gone back to the ship to get his camera.

Our walk takes us to a Roman Temple -- in tact. This temple was erected to Augustin and his wife Lelia who were considered divine persons -- it was saved from destruction later on because it had been turned into a church. The restoration as a Roman Temple took place after the French Revolution. Nearby we notice a plaque to Thomas Jefferson -- erected in 2009 during the 220th anniversary of the French Revolution -- commemorating Jefferson's friendship and support of the French people.

Next a small "train" takes us up the winding streets to a point overlooking the city and a cathedral that can be seen from all over. It is called Notre Dame --- dedicated to Our Lady of LaSalette and her apparition to two children. As one looks out over the city -- a theatre from the 1st Century B.C. is visible -- it is still in use today for concerts and plays. Seating today is 8,000 -- in Roman times it was 11,000.

Back on the ship for lunch and departure to Lyon -- the second largest city in France at the confluence of the Rhone and Soane Rivers --- settled by the Romans in 53 B.C and at one time capital of Gallic Gaul. We arrive at 2:40 pm --- immediately disembark for a city tour with Marion (who tells us she does not like the American pronunciation of her name so we are to call her "Marionne").

Our first stop is the Basilica of Fourviere dedicated to the Virgin Mary-- 1st stone was laid in 1872 -- finished twelve years later. As we are on the bus leaving the area we have a bit of a traffic issue -- a bus in front of us decides he wants to back into a space where he cannot fit -- there are flailing arms -- lots of angry words are exchanged -- traffic is at a standstill. Finally one bus is able to squeeze through a small space which frees up the jam of cars. I notice out of the corner of my eye -- someone in a car trying to fit into a space that is too small and ramming the cars in front and back -- as we were leaving she was still trying.

"Marionne" takes us into the "Old City" for a tour of the secret passages of Lyon known as "Traboules"-- built in the 4th Century by silk manufacturers to expedite delivery of their goods to the river. One must know where the traboules exist to take advantage of them -- several are public if you know how to find them.

We are back on the ship by 6:00 pm but since Lyon is the "Gastronomic Capital" of France, we decide dinner out is in order. LaTassee -- within walking distance from the ship and recommended by one of our guides gets the nod. All of our dinners were just right -- best described as an upscale neighborhood place this was a good choice. A pleasant observation of mine was that even though directly next to us was a group of perhaps 16 to 18 people, we were not disturbed in the least -- they were quiet and subdued -- so civilized.

A fitting end to this long but good day is our walk back to the ship on a pleasant evening in Rouen.

Thanks for Reading!