Hello I am new to Fodors. I know that quite a few questions can be answered by research. Here is my dilemna. My husband is going to be sent to France (Lyon) for about 4 months starting in August. I will accompany him on his trip. I do realize this is the worst possible time to arrive in France since most things will be closed. I welcome any guidebooks that have been helpful. Tomorrow I am going to the Library. I am taking private French lessons starting on Monday. I welcome any and all suggestions. Please know that I will be doing my research and do not expect you to do anything. It's just that I like to hear from fellow travelers. I do not mind frank and honest answers. I appreciate them. Believe me! Thanks again.<BR><BR>Kit<BR>Dallas Texas USA

Kit bonjour! I am not sure what your specific question is, but August is probably not the very ideal month to arrive there. Also, be prepared to hot weather. As you say, a lot will be closed like the bakery or butcher next door and a lot of restaurants. Lyon is wellknown for very good cuisine. But the city's life goes on, even in August, maybe on a slower pace, because a lot of French are off that month.<BR>Here is the official web site of Lyon which you might find useful.<BR>http://www.mairie-lyon.fr/en/index.html<BR>Enjoy your stay. Good to hear you take French lessons starting now.<BR>Bon s&eacute;jour &agrave; Lyon!

Ursula,<BR><BR>I think I need to go to bed now. I have been up most of the night preparing my taxes. I will post later on periodically when I am more lucid<BR><BR>Merci Beaucoup<BR>Kit

I think that the "horror of France in August" gets vastly over-played. No offense to the Lone Star State, but it surely pales in comparison to the horror of TEXAS in August!<BR><BR>And there are going to be so many good things close, within your reach - - whether for a weekend getaway, or even just to go out for dinner in the evening. You're really quite close to the lower part of Savoy and the Alps. Grenoble is only 65 miles away, and from there, Annecy, Talloires, Chamonix, Briancon and much more.<BR><BR>LEt me also recommend a nice place for a weekend overnighter - - just about 30 miles north - - Chateau de Longsard - - web site and much more details about its owners here on this forum, just search Longsard. A great place to go in the fall for la vendange (the harvest) - - it's a working vineyard and winery, and a lovely place to stay.<BR><BR>Welcome to Fodors, and keep coming back as your plans and questions evolve.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex Bickers<BR>Westerville, Ohio<BR><BR>...and part (ex-)Texan myself (Rice, about 30 years ago)...<BR>

Mom-and-Pop stores, hotels, and restaurants are often closed in August, but the vast majority of restaurants, hotels and shops ARE open. August in tourist season, so museums and tourist sights are open.<BR><BR>Almost all of France is accessible by train, and there are more and more TGV lines (high speed trains). Look into buying some sort of pass so you can take off on a whim. Plan day trips for yourself while your husband is at work; language isn't really a barrier (even if you're in a small village where no one speaks English, pointing in a phrase book or using pantomime - see the Cluck like a Chicken thread - will get you understood).<BR><BR>Are you going to be in an apartment? If so, you'll have great fun going to the markets for your food; the lady at the boulangerie will recognize you after a couple of days; if the apartment doesn't have a washer/dryer, you'll have the adventure of trying to figure out how to make the machines work at the laundromat; you'll learn to love the French version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire and CSI dubbed in French ("Ay, Gree somme").<BR><BR>Keep a journal, and if you take pictures, buy photo albums and scrapbooks in France; have your film developed as you go along and start putting together your scrapbook/album while still in France. There are lots of "office supply" stores that carry glue, pens, etc.; department stores usually have a large selection, too.<BR><BR>You can get the International Herald Tribune in many places, to keep up with world events. Buy the local newspaper as well, not only to practice your French, but also info on local events like fairs, exhibits and expos.<BR><BR>Lyon is the real culinary capital of France; take cooking lessons.<BR><BR>Find the closest internet place so you can keep in touch by email (assuming that you aren't bringing a laptop). Buy French stationery and write letters home; put your French address as your return address and grin.<BR><BR>Let yourself feel homesick, but then do something about it. If a one hour phone call with your best friend is the cure, then do it and don't think about the cost. The money is well spent.<BR><BR>Bring photos of family and friends; buy nice frames in France and display the photos. It'll make your place more homey.<BR><BR>Don't worry about packing the right things; if you find you need a fancy dress or a pair of hiking shorts, you will have the joy of buying them in France. France stores sell toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and laxatives. French medical care is equal to ours in quality, so don't worry about medical-emergency-what-ifs.<BR><BR>Plan weekend trips to Switzerland and Italy and Spain...the trains go everywhere, and you can sometimes find cheap inter-city flights. You can even get to London for a weekend, where they speak a version of English.<BR><BR>You will love France in September, October and November; the weather is wonderful (temperature-wise, but it does rain). Buy Christmas stuff like wrapping paper and ornaments.<BR><BR>You've got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I'd kill for; don't waste it. Enjoy the adventure!

The August thing really depends on where you live -- we lived in the 6th, and you could really feel it (parking was easier, etc) and it was really kind of funny to read that the stores were closed for a month. You can always shop at the markets, and Carrefour is not too far away (depends on where you live for those 4 months, naturally). <BR><BR>There is an bookstore (Decitre) that carries books from Britain, so you can get your book fix there. At the tourist office there is a book they sell (in English) about Lyon (I can't remember the name, but it's got a tan cover) which includes how to handle the prefecture, museums, etc.<BR><BR>Glad to see that you're starting your French lessons nice and early -- just don't get too frustrated (hearing French everyday is a lot different than hearing it in class). You miss out on a lot if you can't read the paper (the differences in reporting styles from the US is interesting).<BR><BR>If you color your hair, take your formula with you. L'Oreal is big there (naturally) as is Schwartzokpf. A color and a cut in Lyon cost me $70 less than it does here in the states (and tip is included). <BR><BR>You'll be there for Dec 8th, which is a great time (Fete de Lumiere) and also for Beaujolais Nouveau (third Thursday in November). <BR><BR>I loved living in Lyon, and miss it a lot. I'm insanely jealous... Lyon is a great city to walk and explore, and the train service is phenominal. Paris is a day trip. If you haven't traveled a lot in Europe, now's your chance. The best travel agent I met is on cours Franklin Roosevelt -- Jet Tours (just outside the metro stop -- Foch) -- ask for Chrystale (she speaks English very well). There are a lot of weekend trips to European cities you can do (and August/September is a good time to do them -- prices can be low). <BR><BR>If you like, I can email you directly and you can pick my brain.