Thanks for the info. We're staying in an apt here www.lalogedesavocats.com

Hi hanl - you obviously did a good job, as the transformation is nigh-on spectacular!

I think that the Confluence is still very much a work in progress, as the combination of inhabited buildings and unfinished paths/landscaping are an interesting combination...

No problem yestravel. You've picked a great spot with that flat. If you're staying over a weekend, be sure to check out the market on the Quai des Celestins on the other side of the Saone, which you can reach via the pedestrian bridge that's pretty much at the end of the street you'll be staying on.

If I get a quiet moment, I'll finish up my report with a visit to Les Halles (which are also worth a visit if you have the time and inclination).

topping for the Aussie looking to know if Lyon is worth a visit. This report offers some very good ideas about the city.

Yes, we will be there on the weekend, so will certainly check out the market--thanks!

Great Stuff, reading with great interest. I think my Corsica trip for the week is off and we are rethinking. Lyon is now on the agenda.

Schnauzer

Jay_G, enjoyed your report a lot. You said to shoot any questions, so hoping you know this or a web site which could tell me. Directions from St. Exupery Aeroport to 22 Rue Roposte in the 3rd? I think a shuttle to the train. Where in the airport do you pick up the shuttle? Where do you get on the train? Which train stop in/near the 3rd? Taxi or walk from train stop? Costs? Thanks a bunch if you (or anyone else) has this info.

Decided to not be so lazy and think I figured it out on my own - pretty easy. Looks like just take the Rhonexpress from Gare TGV station at the airport to Gare Part Dieu and a few blocks walk. Is it easy to get to the TGV station at the airport? Shuttle from the terminals? Would this be better or take a shared van service for about $13.00?

Where's J-G and the rest of his report as promised!!!!

Still awaiting JayG

Apologies schnauzer! The post-Christmas lull at work is well and truly over. I'll try to get the last few bits up over the next couple of days before I forget it all...

Sassafras - The TGV station at the airport is actually joined to the terminal by a foot bridge, so I imagine you're looking at a five or ten minute walk to get to the Rhonexpress.

Regarding the shared van service, I'd say it depends on how many of you (and what ages) are travelling. The Rhonexpress has discounts for certain age groups and I believe it's free for children up to a certain age. It's also most likely going to be quicker than a van, particularly if you run into traffic or have to make multiple stops.

The Rhonexpress is also staffed, so there'll be someone on board who could most likely answer any last minute questions you may have and point you in the right direction once you get to Part Dieu. Personally, I'd go with the express. You'll have room to move about on-board as well, which may be welcome depending on how long your flight into Lyon will have been...

Part 6: So much of a good thing

We woke on new year's eve ready to face the hordes all buying their provisions for the evening's festivities. In previous years, we've pre-ordered what we needed in order to be let in to whichever party we'd been invited to and found it made absolutely no difference in beating the queues. This being France, 'queue' is a very loose term at the best of times.

This year we decided to treat ourselves (and our hosts) by going to Les Halles (http://www.en.lyon-france.com/Discov...es-Paul-Bocuse) to get what we needed.

This place really is wonderful. If Lyon is the capital of French Gastronomy, then Les Halles is its parliament. The finest of everything you could want is sold here (to both the public and the best local restaurants) and the only difficulty is not spending the GDP of a small baltic state within its walls.

We picked up a fillet of beef from Maurice Trolliet, then moved on to what should be a pilgrimage for anyone who likes cheese, Mere Richard. Her St. Marcellin is legendary and she supplies it to restaurants throughout France, who often take pains to mention the fact on their menus. Whilst I joined the other pilgrims waiting to be served, my wife popped off to buy "something small for dessert" and sharpened her elbows before diving into the crowds.

About half an hour later, just as I made it to the counter, my wife returned with a selection of macarons, petits fours, chocolates and pastries all beautifully wrapped and all from different places. I asked how on earth she'd managed to do that whilst I'd been fending off little old ladies trying to retain my place in the queue. As always she just smiled her enigmatic gallic smile, stated that she'd forgotten to get flowers and melted into the crowd.

By the time I'd finally got my hands on Mere Richard's finest (take your mind out of the gutter!) my wife had returned with a perfect bouquet, and we could extricate ourselves from the 'foule'.

At every butcher, chocolatier, wine merchant and fishmonger we passed on the way to pick up our kids, the same scenario was being repeated. Queues out of the doors and along the pavements. Any place without a queue you knew couldn't be any good.

Kids collected, we had another wander around the centre of town (because you can never do enough shopping apparently) and picked up some sweets at the confectioner in the Passage de l'Argue that resembled the french dinner staple of petits pois with lardons, for the children that would be at the evening's party.

We shot back to the hotel for a quick shower and change then pointed ourselves in the direction of the party, where my host had assured me there would be Chateau Margaux waiting to accompany the beef. Suddenly the travails of the morning faded into insignificance.

We never made it to Les Halle's. debated about going, and it sounds like its a good thing we didn't. Spending enough euros as the dollar keeps sinking...

Why did it take me a year to find this?! A wonderful report. It would be so nice to get back to Lyon--a super city.

Taking note of this for trip in October.