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Jewish quarters in Lyon - Photo ©Jared Bloch

Geneva, Switzerland – It’s officially summer and time for weekend getaways! And at one-and-a-half hours south, Lyon is a great shoestring evasion from Geneva.

Stuff your backpack with a toothbrush and a camera and catch a train at Geneva’s train station, Gare Cornavin. Change trains at Bellegarde, or get the local Poste bus from there to Lyon.

The ride itself is a panoramic plunge into the Rhone river valley, so don’t nap.

Make sure and grab an espresso on the way as the central train station resembled a gladiatorial contest on two recent visits.

More than mere metaphor, the city actually represented the ancient Gallic capital of Western Europe and boasts extensive Roman ruins on the edge of the old city.

Old settlement

Old is relative as Lyon has enjoyed several heydays, including as a seat of the Roman Empire, and later on as a medieval trading, and financial center during the Renaissance.

The history and intrigue in Lyon oozes from the cobbled streets in the old town and the ramparts of the Roman amphitheater on the hill overlooking town, and wafts from the back doors of Lyonaise Bouchons (the traditional Lyon restaurants renowned for their baked pigs feet and similar “light” fare); a word to the wise, order a lot less than you think you will eat, butter and lard are the operative words.

The Hotel St. Paul, located in the town center near the old train station and the St. Jean cathedral, presents a reasonable, convenient, and quaint lodging for exploring the city.

Reservations highly suggested. Alternately, you can venture to the other side of the Saone and the Rhône and find reasonable lodging in the University area (Hotel du Helder was a good value and appreciated last minute find).

As a bonus, this area hosts a mini Chinatown with a selection of Asian restaurants.

Bon week-end!

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