On the next leg of our trip, we took a train down to Lyon.

Lyon is quite a different environment than the large city-scape of Paris.   It is a little slower paced, with more of a historic feel.  Although Paris has beautiful timeless architecture, being in Lyon made me feel like I was walking through a picturesque scene of a historically nostalgic movie.

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But even within the beauty, between the rivers, there were glimpses of urban influences.
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My husband did a lot of research before our trip to France, and one of the restaurants he had booked was 33 Cite.  It was a fantastic restaurant with an amazing patio.  Filled with people of all different cultures, you can tell that they are a tourist hot-spot, with traditional French inspired fusion food.

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They even split the appetizer in half for us (literally) when we told them we were sharing!

 

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Everywhere you go, you are bound to find rich and decadent foods. Nothing too strange or exotic, just fatty and heavy/hearty home-style cooking.

One thing I would definitely recommend while there is taking a tour of the infamous Traboules of Lyon.

The Traboules were secret passageways between the streets that have helped protect their citizens for centuries.  If you’re imaginative, you can totally picture the deception and spy-type sensationalism within the streets.  You can see the miraculously thoughtful architecture and experience the guile when you walk through the halls.

An English speaking tour guide is almost always available, equipped with a plethora of knowledge.

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While you’re waiting for your tour to start, wander around the cobblestone streets for a Bouchon!

A bouchon is a restaurant that is specific to Lyon and serve traditional Lyonnaise cuisine…which again, is quite rich and hearty, but you’ll need the energy when you travel in time and walk through those Traboules!

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