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Published: April 13th 2019
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Friday 12th April
We had an early start from the hotel to be at Gare Avignon TGV for our train to Lyon. Once again a very fast and smooth trip, but difficult for the 22 of us to board and alight. We delayed the train a few minutes in doing so, and before arrival at Lyon the train screen had a notice of an expected 5 minutes delay at Lyon - they knew we were getting off there.
At the station we joined our coach which took us to visit Pérouges - l'un des plus beaux villages de France. It was delightful to walk around and explore, and to have lunch at a small restaurant in its delightful setting. It was sunny but quite cool.
After lunch we drove some distance to visit the beaujolais winery of Château de Corcelles, for a tour of the historic buildings and wine tasting. The château has a beautiful garden, which was nice to stroll through.
We then proceeded back to Lyon and checked in at our hotel, close to the right bank of the river Saône, on the edge of Old Lyon. The hotel is called the Hôtel Collège, and
has the theme of an old schoolhouse, with school desks, blackboards, bookshelves, books, etc as part of the décor.
Saturday 13th April
I got up early to do laundry at the local laverie. It was really cold at 6:30 am, but we expected it to warm up as the day went on. But it didn't much - a cold wind has persisted all day, though in the sun it is pleasant, if one can get out of the wind. I have a cold, and being out in the cold wind today has made it a lot worse. The over-the-counter medications from the pharmacy are rather insipid compared to those in Australia, so they're not helping much. Nevertheless, when one is on holiday, one soldiers on!
This morning we purchased public transport tickets and ventured by bus and tram to visit the Centre of the History of the Resistance and the Deportations. This building was that in which Klaus Barbie, the 'butcher of Lyon', operated. It was an interesting but sobering visit. We then proceeded by tram to Les Halles, food market and restaurant mecca. After lunch we took the métro to the centre of old
Lyon for a guided walking tour. It was too cold for me in the wind with my cold, so I stayed for only half. The old town is very interesting. We visited an old silk weaving workshop and saw an historic jacquard loom. Lyon was a huge centre for silk weaving in the past. The Cathedral of John the Baptist was also impressive. Old Lyon was also where the Marist Brothers started - Marcellin Champagnat and his first followers climbed the stairs up to the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière to make their vows.
This afternoon we have been able to hear les gilets jaunes protesting, or mostly just riding around on their motor cycles - they seem to be mostly bikies. Lots of sirens too.
Tomorrow we are headed to Annecy, in the Alps. I'd better get the really warm clothes out!
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