Frolics in France: Day 5- Graffiti and Traboules

Today was a "Bank Holiday" which is a type of National Holiday so we didn't have classes, yay! Instead of class, our PC group went on a trip to Croix-Rousse to find some of the old traboules which were a path for pedestrians, often narrow, beginning with an entrance hallway and through one or more buildings for connecting one street to another. As we waited for the last student to show up, a car seemed to be having issues right in front of our building. Dr. Kiley asked if they needed help and then Dr. Kiley and the two boys in our group helped to push the car off to a space around the corner.

Eventually we realized our last PC member would not be joining us that day we headed out. The area of Croix-Rousse was really lovely and up on a hill. I'll be sure to go back because they had some great smells coming from the restaurants. We were encouraged to try to open any doors that did not have a key code on them to look for secret entrances to the traboules, which to me sounded like breaking and entering but 'when in Lyon' I suppose. First we stopped at a lovely overlook where you could see the Notre Dame and the city below and we all took a group photo.

I thought that the melting clock looked really cool as far as graffiti goes

As we continued on our search, we saw some of the colorful wall art/graffiti that took up an entire wall! Most of us stopped to take 'hipster' photos before heading down the street where we found our first traboules! There was a tour group going around that was there also and Dr. Kiley translated a few facts about this history of the stairs. Dr. Kiley then had us all gather on the stairs as he stood at the bottom (most like laid on his back) to get a photo of all of us. After we went all the way down the stairs we came out at a back alley before stopping in a small park. At the park many of the PC folks got to pet this very spunky little dog that was running around.

My 'hipster' photo

traboules looking up

traboules

I thought this was really neat because it is moss graffiti that can be translated to say "growth" or "sprout"

the little park

restaurant off of the little park that looked cute

We then spotted some more graffiti that we stopped to take photos of which happened to be at the back of a building that had a very full trashcan outside of it, which Dr. Kiley moved for those who wanted to take photos. There was also a "I hate Nazis" stencil on the sidewalk which I thought was funny. Sadly we didn't find anymore traboules but ended up back near Bellecour where we were for drinks yesterday at the Terreaux square. Right next to the spot we had drinks is a fountain that was designed by Bartholdi, the guy who designed the Statue of Liberty. Also on the square is the City Hall which is quite a swanky looking building.

The Bartholdi fountain

Terreaux square with the fountain and city hall

We walked across the river and into Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) where Dr. Kiley left us and we found lunch. Being the most touristy area, we got caught in a tourist trap lunch spot where we were promised a discount price of €11 for a €15.90 3-course lunch. When the check came however, they tried to tell us we showed up after the 12:30 cut off for the discount and charged the 5 of us €79.50. We promptly told the woman who had sucked us in that we definitely showed up at 12:25 and we got the €11 price we deserved! The meal was tasty but I probably won't go back. I got a goat cheese salad appetizer, the fish of the day (cod), and a chocoat tarte for dessert. I only got a photo of the tarte after I had started eating it as it was the best part of the meal.

Fake facade near the Saone river

My tarte chocolat, it was so good!

After lunch Harley and I headed to a gift shop to pick up some postcards and I really wanted a snowglobe. We then headed to find the nearest metro so Harley could go buy a knife in Bellecour. Without realizing it, we ended up right where we went our first night out in Lyon at the Cathedral Jean-Baptiste. We took a stroll around the inside, but the entire area behind the altar was closed off for construction and you couldn't see anything! The parts we did see were quite nice though, but probably nothing compared to whatever was behind the giant tarp. I'll be sure to go back before I leave and take my good camera so I can show you the stained-glass windows better. After our little tour we headed to Bellecour only to find the knife shop closed for the holiday. After getting back to the apartment I took and nap and am now preparing for my travels tomorrow to Manchester!