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.
