Lyon : December 2015

After the Paris attack in November, France was in heightened alert. Any huge gatherings or events that would risk another attack were canceled including the most awaited Fête des Lumières (Light Festival) in Lyon that would have taken place in December.

I bought my bus tickets (student budget here!) to Lyon early in November for that December weekend. In late November, I heard the news that the celebration would be canceled.

Lyon is the third biggest city in France next to Paris and Marseille. It is also a student city and as multicultural as Paris.

There was indeed a potential attack in this part of the country and they just couldn’t risk it, hence, the cancellation. I was disappointed but I knew it was for the best. Since I couldn’t cancel nor reimburse my tickets anyway, I decided to go to see an old friend who was kind enough to host me for the weekend. Aga showed me around the city, more specifically to the center, old town, France's greenest and most ecological friendly mall (an enormous one), and the basilica uphill where one could see Lyon's panoramic view.

Throughout the weekend, it was foggy. It sort of spoiled my visit because I couldn’t see the city at its best. Nevertheless, cela ne m’a pas empêché de voir la beauté de la ville. At night, Lyon is even more beautiful!

I left early morning Sunday. It was a really quick visit and I look forward to going back to Lyon the next time I get the chance to ! Maybe no longer by bus, though.

The good thing about going by bus is it's cheaper, and if you travel by day, you get to see the view along the way. The downside is it takes longer, space is cramped (depending on the bus company, more on that on a different post), and a lot of, or to some instances, no, bus stops. In any case, know that there are three options to reach Lyon, it being a major destination and a big city - by bus, by train and by plane. Choose wisely !