Sunday, December 20, 2015

Lyon



Nancy again is settling down to Winter. We have things we want to do but it is not long before we are organised and into our winter way. Being fascinated by the architectureal flamboyance of the Art Nouveau period we do like to keep an eye open for anything we might see.



We love the surprise when we take visitors into this quite ordinary looking building.

 


It is a bank and in the main banking hall, the ceiling is a skylight of the most beautiful work. The LCL or Credit Lyonase is a French bank founded in 1863 and this building was built for them as their regional headquarters late in the 19th century This skylight, typical of the Nouveau style is one that visitors must see.

Having little to do we thought that it would be nice to visit Lyon to have a look at the city. Our plans for next year mean that we may not get down this way.

Mid November we caught a train to the city and stayed in a hotel in the older part of town. Lyon is at the confluence of the Saone and the Rhone rivers. Because of these rivers it has always been a big inland commercial centre. Towards the end of the 18th century it developed a big silk industry and quickly became the centre of the production of silk in Europe. During this time it became the second biggest city in France.

 

 

 


The silk industry has all but gone, but the city is full of the signs of its affluence during this period.
 

 

 


The Romans had a big influence here and these ruins of an amphitheatre and other buildings are high on a hill overlooking the city.
 


 


We found these wonderful examples of  trompe-l’oeil on a building's blank walls.

Unfortunately for us while we were on an open topped tour bus, the heavens opened up and we were caught in heavy winds and a massive downpour. A miserable end to our visit.

We have more travel in store because soon we start another holiday and our return to Australia for Christmas. There will be more to tell, so we will keep in touch.