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Abroad, France, Guests, Lyon

Adventure: Elena Peteva in Lyon

posted by Dario
Apr 25, 2017 935 0 0
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Lyon – city of two rivers

 

My first thought when I arrived in Lyon – what a big French city. When I say French, I mean not only a city, located in central France, but also a city which has the typical for the country urban and social environment.
I have been living in Lyon for two years now. My first impression proved to be true, but the fact that it’s the second largest city in France, doesn’t make it difficult to move from one point to another. You can easily make a tour of the city center on foot. Or of course, you can take the metro or a tram – the ticket is valid for one hour and costs 1.80 euros.
My walk usually starts along the Rhone river, one of the two which cross the city. Here you can do your jogging or ride a bike along the river or as I most often do – take a walk and inevitably take some photos.


On a warm sunny day, the alley is full of people. Some of them are having a picnic or just a beer, while the more active ones are riding skateboards, roller blades, bikes or a push scooter.


So, by walking along the Rhone, I reach the most famous square in Lyon, according to Wikipedia – the fifth largest in France and the only one of those 5, entirely planned for pedestrians. Place Bellecour literally translated means beautiful courtyard, but actually it is a huge square with a statue of Louis XIV (also known as Louis the Great or the Sun King) on a horseback. On the square, they often organize various events such as competitions and concerts. In winter a large Ferris wheel is assembled and various installations for the Festival of Lights (Fête Des Lumières). It is celebrated around the 8th December which also coincides with the Feast of the city. The festival usually lasts four days, there are dozens of art installations across the city center. In the evening the whole city is lightened up, people put candles on their windows and on the facades of many of the landmark buildings are projected 3D performances. They say that despite the low temperatures more than two million people arrive for the festival every year.


Thus, walking from the place Bellecour, on rue de la République – the main shopping street with a lot of familiar and some unfamiliar chain stores, we reach the place de la Comédie where are the Opera House and the City Hall. Both buildings are impressive. The building of the Opera House renovated by the French architect Jean Nouvel, who redesigned the interior as well. While we are there we see the back entrance of the City Hall, and as you can guess – the front entrance is prettier. In order to see it, we reach another landmark square in Lyon – la Place des Terreaux. Here, except the main entrance of the City Hall (Hôtel de Ville), is located the Museum of Fine Arts (with a very calm and quiet courtyard).


Our next stop is the art district Croix Rousse, constructed on one of the three hills in Lyon. It is colorful and filled with art and reveals a splendid view. The possibilities to climb the hill are many – countless paths, alleys and stairs that lead somewhere I usually get lost. That’s its charm, the neighborhood is filled with small shops, mazy streets and murals all over the buildings. Back in the old days, this place was a center of the silk industry. I want to add here that there is a Museum of the tissues in Lyon where you can find a big collection of fabrics and textiles.


So, while we are still talking about hills, it’s time for me to give some information about La Fourvière. It is more touristic, perhaps because it is closer to the old town. On top of it is located the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, which elevates above Lyon and contributes much to the city silhouette. The hill may be reached by stairs or by a funicular railway – there are two lines that climb the hill and the ticket for them is the same as the one for the regular public transport.
I recommend you, if you have time –  go to the hill two times, once in the day and once at night, when the city is lighted up (Lyon is called the city of light for a reason), hence you can enjoy all its glory.


If you don’t have time to get there, the best place for a panoramic view from the city is on the coast of the other river – Saône. I think that the cities crossed by rivers have more charm than those which are not. Rhone and Saône gather in a place that is called Confluence. It is a new district with contemporary architecture where is also located a museum with the same name. Musée des Confluences is an impressive modern building, designed by Austrian architects and presents interesting temporary and permanent exhibitions.


More modern buildings can be seen in the third district (3ème arrondissement, third from nine in total), which includes among business buildings, one of the largest shopping centers in Europe and several skyscrapers, placing the district as the second largest in number of business buildings right after La Défense in Paris.
If you are used to the summer greenery of Sofia, you could think of Lyon as a not enough green city, because there are insufficient green spaces and gardens. Therefore, there is a huge park to compensate. Parc de la Tête d’or is located on the riverbank of Rhone and it is a must-see. Here you can find a large lake where you can take a boat or a pedal-boat. You can take a walk down the multiple paths or you can hire a rickshaw. When it’s warm, the park is full of people, children and some free walking ducks and geese. You can go into the zoo or you can take a look of the botanical garden, both of which are completely free.


As a conclusion, Lyon is a very diverse city and as you can imagine it hides many more interesting places to look for, which makes me want to get lost in it in the very next walk I take.

Follow Elena and her adventures in Lyon here.

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Travel Blogger

Dario Dionisi



If you want to know something more about me – my soul is a traveler, my origin is Italian and my true essence is a faithful friend. I am always open to new ideas and will be very happy if you want to contact me at dario@beyondsofia.com

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Dario • Exploring beyond Sofia
February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake ag February brings the rain, thaws the frozen lake again. 

Yuki-Doro is challenging me who is the better poser. 🧐

#dog #hike # winter
I guess I am starting this year with a true challe I guess I am starting this year with a true challenge - hiking during winter under -15 degrees.

That was the case with the Boyana waterfall. Last year I visited them during the late summer and decided that I want to visit this place during the winter because, to be honest, I have never seen in person a big and full waterfall to be completely frozen.

So, let’s say it was something as a target for me to see it sooner or later. 

But as you can see it was really pleasant conquering this adventure because I had with me the best assistant ever - Mr. little adventurer Yuki-Doro. 

And yes, I won’t lie, I almost lost my hands and one of my legs from the extremely low temperature.

#dog #hike #winter
Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty o Most people are fascinated by the natural beauty of Yuki-Doro and I don’t blame them, to be honest. 

But as it is said - the devilish creations are the sweetest. Well, I can confirm this through my dog. 

SWIPE to the next picture and witness yourself that I have a true monster as a pet, he is twisted and scary, like a loooooot.

#dog #hiking #winter
Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? No, it' Is it a fox? Is it a wolf? Is it Hachiko? 
No, it's Yuki-Doro conquering Cherni vrah peak at the age of 4 months.

Who would think that this little guy would manage to accomplish this so early stage in his life.

Imagine what he would do in the future, Everest here we come! 😂

#hiking #winter #dog
People have said it well that the dog is man's bes People have said it well that the dog is man's best friend.

This weekend was Yuki-Doro's first real adventure-challenge.

We wandered through the winter landscapes of snowy Vitosha.  Based on the amount of snow he ate, yes, he definitely liked the snow, it's good that it is low in calories, otherwise I would have returned to Sofia with a meatball.

Definitely this little one knows how to brighten up the atmosphere and make the trips more interesting.

I look forward to our next adventures.

Do you travel with your pets?

#winter #mountain #dog
Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain • So, let us Winter etudes of Vitosha Mountain •

So, let us be clear here - I cannot stand winter and I really do not like the snow and cold. It is probably inherited from my Italian bloodline, who knows, but anyways.

However, I must confess, I have been multiple times in Vitosha mountain but probably for the first time I visit it for a whole hike to the peak during winter. Won’t lie, I enjoyed a lot the nature scenes I saw during my hike but still I was going to loose my hands no matter I had gloves all the time.

Overall, the experience was pleasant because it is good to remind ourselves what a true winter looks like. We all know that because of the global warming we do not have that heavy winter that we used to have back in the early 2000s. So, to see so much snow and peace at one place was a delight for my senses.

As I always say, it is good to challenge yourself and go out of your comfort zone. Only then you can discover many intriguing things, but most importantly -  to learn so many new things about yourself.

#winter #hiking #nature
Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain Cherni vruh, the highest point of Vitosha mountain 2290 m the peak is the fourth highest mountain summit in Bulgaria.

It presents the best spontaneous getaway if you want to go out in the nature. Also is way to good challenge yourself. I myself did it multiple times and must confess every time I climb it from different points it amazes me with the beauty that this mountain contains.

#Bulgaria #nature #mountain
The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Go The stone river in Vitosha or also known as The Golden Bridges - amazingly beautiful natural phenomenon - the largest stone river in the Vitosha National Park. Massive stones (average size 2-3 meters) flow down from the mountain top to the valley for more than 2 miles long and 150 meters wide.

The stone river is ‘descending’ from elevation 1800 m above sea level to 1410 m at Golden Bridges site.

#Bulgaria #nature #stoneriver
Etudes of Vitosha • Is there anyone who lives i Etudes of Vitosha •

Is there anyone who lives in Sofia and had never visited Vitosha Mountain?

Because clearly this mountain is a pure nature gift for us all!

Vitosha Mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Its gorgeous silhouette is visible from almost all positions in the city and is inseparable part of Sofia’ image.

Vitosha Naturе Park is the most broadly protected territory in Bulgaria, and due to its proximity to Sofia it has turned into a site of education in responsible attitude towards nature.

And don’t forget Sofia is the only European capital with such a big mountain so close to the city center.

So no matter the time and season Vitosha is always a good choice for adventures.

#Bulgaria #mountain #tourism
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