A Year Abroad in Lyon

So it is with a heavy heart I say that in 5 short days I shall be taking my life packed in a suitcase and moving back to the UK after the most amazing year in Lyon. Before doing so, I wanted to share a few of my favourite photos of Lyon. It is one of the most beautiful cities I've been to and it boasts a long and really interesting past. I've learnt so much this year about France, its culture, history, art, literature, language and way of life.

From my first roll of film.

I've certainly had to adapt to the French way of life. So nothing is open at all Sundays, most things shut weekends, sometimes Mondays and Fridays too and everything shuts everyday between 12 and 2 for a nice long dinner break- getting anything done is near impossible unless you're up at the crack of dawn for opening at 8:30am and seeing as I'm not a morning person, well... nothing gets done.

Parc de la Tête d'Or.

Botanical gardens at the Parc de la Tête d'Or.

The Park in Lyon is just dreamy. It has big open grass space for sunbathing in the summer months, a small zoo, a boating lake, rose gardens, botanical gardens and a number of beautiful walkways. I go fairly often and I've still not managed to see everything in it! Watch out on Instagram for the trip on a peddle boat next week!

Croix Rousse.

Vieux Lyon.

Croix Rousse is a super cool area of Lyon, it's real artsy and there's plenty of cool shops and bars kicking about. The view from the top of the steps leading up is pretty nice too. Combined with the old part of town makes it the perfect place for an afternoon wandering about. There's this little candle shop that smells great candles, cheaply, that last for ever- I'll be stocking up for my way home. Also nestled away in this part of town are gorgeous art shops selling vintage and new prints and a jewellery shop that sells unique, precious stone, solid gold and silver pieces that are to die for! I've also fallen for the artisan soap shops, olive oil, lemon and honey shops; this year has been a pricey one to say the least.

View from Fourvière.

Le Basilique de la Fourvière.

Fourvière.

Ancient Roman Theatre of Lyon.

Fourvière is up on a hill basically, a really old part of Lyon that is home to the Basilica (that's a big church to you and me). On a sunny day up there, there is the most amazing view, you can even see the snow topped Alps in the back ground. A tourist must in Lyon! And just down from there is the remains of a giant roman amphitheatre, which again hosts a pretty decent view and shows a great piece of Lyons history.

Lyon Opera.

This top end of town around the Hotel de Ville has some great cocktail bars, restaurants and cafés; cocktails at Fantôme de l'Opera and Black Forest Society, falafel at Yaafa, burgers and beer at Lyons own brewery Ninkasi to name a few.

View from my balcony.

Sunset over the bridge.

Sunset over the Rhône river.

I don't know if it's a science thing but Lyon has THE most beautiful skies and sunsets. My film rolls are full of shots of clouds and pink skies! 

Île Barbe.

A short bike ride from the centre of town, through a weird tunnel that plays music and projects art around the walls in a little piece land in the middle of the Saône river- a great picnic spot. However the day we ventured up there was after a big storm and as you can see in the above photo, the water was super high and all the picnic spots therefore underneath it; it's still a great spot to escape the city though!

I've been so lucky to have been able to call Lyon home for the past year and have the chance to get to know this amazing city that I would have never otherwise thought of visiting. Another one of Frances dreamy places that I will certainly be returning to in the future! Have any of you been? You should!