Lyon-An important city for 2,000 years!

Lyon is France's most historic and culturally important city after Paris and has been our city of choice for the year as it is only 75 minutes from Grazac.  The Romans made Lyon the capital of Gaul in 43 BC.  The name Lyon derives from Roman Lugdunum, or "Hill of the Crow".  There are two ruined Roman Theaters (one being the oldest Roman theater in France built in 15 BC) and a Musée de la Civilization Gallo-Romaine.  Lyon grew rich from its trade fairs and banking during the during the Renaissance and was the Europe's most important silk manufacturing center from the 16th to the 19th centuries.  The old center displays many beautiful Renaissance mansions and covered passageways called traboules.  The secret pathways provided shelter when the silk was being moved from one place to the next and now reveal beautiful courtyards, loggias, and spiral staircases as one proceeds through the tunnels.

Lyon is known for its "cuisine scene"!   Paul Bocuse is a famous chef who has four brasseries in Lyon featuring an international cuisine from four corners of the world.  Roger and I enjoyed lunch at the Mediterranean restaurant Brasserie Le  Sud.

Traboule in Vieux Lyon