Bonjour!
Up this morning, and out of the Inn by 9 a.m. We both slept very well, all things considered! Today was basically a long slog (albeit through beautiful countryside!) from Strasbourg to Lyon. Took almost 6 hours, although we didn't push it, and stopped occasionally along the way -- AND, my FIRST (but hopefully not my last!) Magnum Classic ice cream bar!! YUMMY! Great breakfast!! We ate at rest stops along the Peage (toll way) -- sandwiches, ice cream, etc. -- nothing special, and arrived in Lyon (where the River Saone joins the Rhone) about 3 p.m. Em(ily) our Nuvu 770 GPS guided us flawlessly to Place Bellcoeur, which is right in the middle of town. Of course our hotel, La Residence, is located on a pedestrian street ... so we parked in the closest underground parking lot, and schlepped our luggage across the Place and down the street to the hotel; just a couple of minutes.
Checked in; room 302. Very nice, but very unusual! It's a LONG room. You walk into a corridor, toilet room immediately across, bathroom (with a KILLER jacuzzi tub!) on the right. In the corridor, there are two bunk beds built in against the wall! Very cool! Then at the end of the corridor is our room, with lovely big windows looking out into a very quiet interior courtyard. We like it very much!
R worked on email for a bit, then we both took naps. Up and out around 7 for dinner! (Yes...food...again!)
Walked down the street and across the Saone on the pedestrian bridge. Just a short hop away was the funicular which takes you UP the hill to Fourviere. We'd been there a couple of years ago to see the Basilica; a beautiful view, and a great restaurant as well! So, back to the Restaurant Fourviere; sat on the patio. (And of course immediately regretted leaving sweaters back at the hotel, as the wind was freshening!)
Ordered another set menu. We both had the Salade Fraicheur -- wonderfully, perfectly dressed greens, with luscious fragments of fresh grapefruit, avocado, and crab meat on top. R followed that with the daurade (fish) layered on a incredible coulis of squash and egg plant - it was GREAT! I had volaille (sp?)(chicken) in a wonderful cream and tarragon sauce, with potatoes and a baked tomato -- WOW!
Included in the meal was also a plate of cheeses -- all good, followed by dessert! (We are TRULY going to waddle home!) R had the tarte of the season composed of red fruits -- strawberries, raspberries and chantilly cream. I had the tarte tatin (apple tart) with home-made French vanilla ice cream. Everything wonderful!!
By this time it was quite dark, and we needed to make the last funicular at 10 p.m. or face the prospect of walking down that hill...made it, and arrived safely back at the hotel.
Now just catching up on things. We leave in the morning for Fenestrelle -- the Italian fortress in the Alps! Very excited!
More later!!
Much love,
m
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