Big city, big impression. Went here already two times before our trip with groupmates. We started this long day by taking train from Valence Ville train station with my groupmates and two students from IUT who started their bachelor degree. At the stop Tain-Hermitage our professor of Cross-Cultural management joined us with his friend. So, all eight of us waited to get to Lyon. We finally arrived at this rainy calm city. Calm it was because of the morning time, everybody was working. It helped to see the city more clearly although the rain was a bit of an obstacle to that. Students talked a bit about city’s main buildings, statues like for example a statue of a man riding a horse. It was incorrectly made as there was lacking a saddle under mans feet and after some time when sculptor noticed that, he committed suicide. Sad but interesting story. We walked and talked. We took small train that goes up to the hill. Costed 6 euros and in 5 minutes we saw Lyon from above. It was pleasing to the eye. By climbing a bit further, we went to Saint Just Cathedral. Full of people because of the mass that was happening and because of its beauty for tourists not to pass by. The mosaic pictures created of miniscule bits of colorful tile amazed me. How much can a person be patient to do that. Huge and high, beautifully painted ceiling. Everything was so delicate and rich. Next to the cathedral we went to see the city from high point. There were gathering a lot of people to take pictures and enjoying the view. So did we.
Later, professor arranged a meeting for us with a guide for a local, fancy market ‘’Les Halles de Lyon de Paul Bocuse. Some might know already that Paul Bocuse is famous three Michelin Star chef who passed away last year. He gave a huge contribution to French gastronomy and this market is dedicated to high quality and most fresh products which Paul Bocuse provided in his professionally cooked dishes. We were lucky to have a guide with us, otherwise we would get lost in this heaven of food. She told us about the meaning of portrait of old ladies that were on the wall. They were originally mothers of French cuisine and cooks of older times. They had their tips and tricks how to use every possible bit of animal meat to make a good dish and how to make fluffiest pastry. It all started with them. We walked around colorful stands filled with fresh looking products. Staff had their clean aprons on and waited costumers with a smile. Lots of people were having lunch already there. They ordered oysters just opened in front of them with slice of lemon by the side, thin cut veal with a glass of velvet wine. It was busy time, but it didn’t stop our guide to lightly jump from one food stall to another while explaining its each specialty. After saying goodbye to our guide, we finally bought ourselves something to eat. My stomach was already whining and demanding this wonderful food that was tempting me this whole excursion. We sat down by the bar, had two different types of cheese, two different types of pate en croute (mostly mousse of chicken or other meat covered in pie pastry) and some mini sausages which were more of an Italian cuisine. With of course additional baguette and red wine that professor chose. After we finished meal, came the dessert-macaroons. The best dark chocolate macaroon that I have ever tasted.
Trip didn’t end in there. By bus, we reached Musee des Confluences. I didn’t like its modern style so I was negatively approaching this building but when I reached one of many exhibitions, I changed my opinion. So many things to see, from ancient and still remaining culture hat designs to colorful butterfly collection, from stories of prison life to huge animal statues. Hadn’t enough time to see everything that this big museum offered. Definitely worth a visit. I deeply suggest it, especially for students, free of charge. With this, we ended our long trip. Felt tired but impressed.
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