Flying North to travel South.

[RB001]

This marker contains part of the Coat of Arms of Vienne. But we haven't been able to figure out its purpose.

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Not sure how well/if it's currently maintained, but those markers line up with one of the trails on a map obtained at the tourist office - supposedly to the main sights downtown.

 

[OZDUCK]

Not sure how well/if it's currently maintained, but those markers line up with one of the trails on a map obtained at the tourist office - supposedly to the main sights downtown.

Thanks. That is one of the possibilities we thought of today. But couldn't remember for sure.

 

[OZDUCK]

Based on recommendations by both Flashback and Cambriamarsh we decided our second day trip would be to the 'medieval' village of Perouges. These were excellent recommendations. It is roughly 30 KM northeast of Lyon and has retained its medieval aspect because it was almost abandoned in the 19th Century. The population dropped from 1,500 to 90 before restoration work started in 1911.

Pérouges - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The local train was unusual in that it was in a 3 - 2 seating pattern. It seems to be a commuter train covering feeder towns near to Lyon. Luckily it was very empty both there and back.





Crossing the Rhone on the outskirts of Lyon




You pass some serious infrastructure on the way there



To get there you get off at the small town of Meximieux. The station is called Meximieux-Perouges. You have to walk just under 2 km - uphill!



Just outside the station the local tourist office has set up a little information booth. Basically, you follow the dragon markers by the roadside. The dragon is the symbol of Perouges



1.7 km and only 25 minutes - yeah right. I think they got some 19 year rugby player at the peak of fitness to record that time. We did it in a touch under 50 minutes and even taking out 10 minutes for a bit of poor navigation on my part that 25 minutes was extremely 'optimistic'. You go uphill, downhill and then uphill again. About half the walk is on gravel tracks.




The markers



In Meximieux we passed by a public wash house built in 1880. It is feed by a spring





We kept going up and up and then I discovered I had led us astray at the top of steep hill. So we had to walk downhill for a couple of hundred metres and take the right path.

I am sure we are the right track - oops maybe not.



Then we had to go downhill again. The stones were uncomfortable and pretty loose.



Our first sightings of our destination

 

[OZDUCK]

We passed by a little stream that seems to be a good spot for fishing.









Then the steep ascent began. At least it was a very scenic, if tiring, path. We got a few light drops of rain on the way up but it soon turned in a lovely sunny day.









I was not resting just taking a moment to contemplate the beauty around me.



Yeah no way! I took the slightly longer ramp with no steps.



The view to a small chateau above Meximieux on the other side of the valley.

 

[OZDUCK]

Arrival. Only about 80 or 90 people live within the walls. There is a 'modern' area a few hundred metres away. The town is often used as a setting for movies and TV shows. You will note that power lines and TV aerials are conspicuous by there absence.



The first streets you see inside the walls let you know what a treat you are in for. However the cobblestones do wear you down a bit but of course they are part of the towns character.











The main square









The view from the town

 

[OZDUCK]

Most of the, relatively few restaurants and boulangeries were closed. I guess due to the recent holiday. We ended up eating at this place in the main square.





It was a bit like an old style country pub in that there was a salad bar that you could raid as much as you like. But the difference was that there was also cabinet containing various meats and terrines that you could also fill up on. All hearty country style food







I had a hot ham dish



And my wife had some confit duck



More of the town





St George

 

[OZDUCK]

Built into the walls of the town was this church - Saint Mary Magdalene - dating to the 15/16th Centuries. It is very 'simple inside but far more beautiful without the excesses of places like Notre Dame in Lyon.

https://www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/perouges-1437/church-sainte-marie-madeleine-17968.htm

We took a different route back to the station. It mostly followed the roads and seemed a lot faster and easier than the recommended route. The first part was pretty steep but after that it was an easy walk.





Meximieux from the station



We just missed the next train but eventually caught one. It passes extremely closely by the river.

 

[OZDUCK]

Back to around Lyon. There are many monumental buildings in Lyon but it doesn't feel stuffy or staid.

Being of a certain age, 71, I got all excited when I saw this golden chook - cougherel. It is the symbol for Pathe film company founded in 1896. I can remember the old British Pathe Newsreels using the chook as well. The building is in Art Deco style - 1932.

british pathe newsreel opening scene rooster - Google Search

Many of the streetscapes are very elegant - Rue de la Republique



Formerly the head office of the local newspaper and built in 1894.



The old Palais de la Bourse (Stock Exchange). "The building was inaugurated by Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie on 25 August 1860."

Palais de la Bourse, Lyon - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Lyon Opera House. Originally built in 1831 and rebuilt in 1985.



Back of the Hotel de Ville - 1652



Palais de Justice de Lyon - 1845



Museum of Fine Arts



I have a real like for trolley buses. These are pretty flash and are even fancier in that they obviously have some battery storage that lets them operate without using the overhead wires. Unfortunately I never got to ride one.