We will be in France in April '99 for 7-10 days, and would like to make a few day trips outside Paris. Is Lyon worth the 2-hour ride on the TGV? If the hotels aren't too pricey, we might consider staying over a night or two. Any recommendations you might make would be appreciated! <BR>

There was a very good discussion of this question some time back. Do a text search for Lyon and see what comes up. As I recall, the concensus was that if you don't have a lot of time, which you don't, you were better to spend the time in the Burgundian region north of Lyon, or in the Loire/Touraine, or Normandy. It would certainly be my recommendation. Lyon is interesting - and has ancient Roman foundations (like much of southern France), but it has always struck me as a place requiring in-depth investigation rather than the short vacation hit. Whatever you do, have a great time. Our ten days in France this summer were wonderful, heat wave not withstanding!

there's a fantastic hotel just outside Lyons called Chateau de Bagnols. One of the nicest I've ever stayed in <BR>

I think this depends on your interests <BR>somewhat. In any case, I did this exact <BR>same thing as a day trip (the 2 hr <BR>TGV trip makes that easy), and I'm glad <BR>I did because I saw almost everything I <BR>wanted in that day and I think I would <BR>have been bored staying longer. I am <BR>very interested in textiles, though, <BR>which is the main reason I went there <BR>as they have one of the best textile <BR>museums in the world. However, I also <BR>read French very well, so this was no <BR>problem for me as all signs and explanations were in French. If you are <BR>at all interested in textiles, though, <BR>I think you will get something out of it <BR>as they have a superb collection and <BR>right next door is a very good decorative arts museum--I also like those very much. I wanted to take a <BR>tour of the silk factory (in the northern end of town) and that's the <BR>one thing I didn't have time for. My <BR>schedule was: arrive 10 pm, figure out <BR>metro system and take funicular to top <BR>of hill for view and to see weird basilica; walk down and walk through <BR>old town and along river, having lunch; <BR>cross river and walk around main square <BR>(interesting Bartholdi sculpture then <BR>walk south towards museums, passing <BR>another big square. Visited textile <BR>and dec. arts museums from about 2-5, <BR>then walked back to train station and <BR>stopped in cafe for light dinner before <BR>trip (think return train was at 7). <BR>As I said, I think I hit the highlights. <BR>Lyon is also very good for classical <BR>music, opera and ballet, but there were <BR>no performances in July, anyway, when <BR>I was there. So, I think this is a <BR>superb day trip. It was espec. good <BR>for me because I had a rail pass so the <BR>train ride was no extra expense. If you <BR>are buying a solo TGV ticket for this <BR>trip (about $120 RT, I think), you might <BR>think more about whether that is the <BR>best investment of that money. <BR> <BR> <BR>

Oh --I just reread my post and need to <BR>correct a typo: I arrived 10 AM (not pm). And, I didn't mention the Roman/ <BR>Gaul ruins, either, I think somebody <BR>else brought up -- I didn't see these, <BR>that's another thing to do, but I'm not <BR>as interested in that stuff as textiles <BR>and dec. arts. It's pretty easy to get <BR>around Lyon by walking and the metro <BR>system--all the major tourist things are <BR>easily accessible that way. But, an <BR>overnight stay could be good too if you <BR>don't mind moving around that way -- I <BR>hate moving hotels so chose to do this <BR>as a day trip rather than spend all the <BR>time packing up, checking in and out of <BR>a hotel, etc. for one overnight--to me, <BR>you'd spend just as much time doing all <BR>that so you really wouldn't come out <BR>ahead much. <BR>