Our Walk Along the Via Podiensis (GR 65)

Arriving at Le Puy en Velay France The Beginning of the Via Podiensis We awoke to another gorgeous day in Lyon, and after a buffet breakfast of baguettes, jam, coffee, and orange juice at the hotel, we again headed out to the old section of Lyon for another look around. The city was mostly asleep when we set out, with only a few joggers enjoying the morning.      However, once we reached the river, we found a wonderful market set up along its banks, with delicious-looking local produce and mouth-watering baked goods. We wandered around the old section of town again and, before heading back to the train station, stopped at a boulangerie for some brioche aux pralines.   Departing Lyon France We caught the train to St. Etienne Chateaucreux from Lyon Gare Part Dieu without any trouble and, from there, caught a bus to Le Puy. On the train, we began to recognize fellow pilgrims and hikers, and quite a few got off with us.     In fact, there were so many...

Setting off on Camino Toronto Ontario to Lyon France  Today has been a very long, but good day for us.  We boarded a plane in Toronto, Ontario for a 40-minute flight to Montreal, Quebec yesterday evening.  After a 3-hour layover there, we boarded another plane for the 6-hour flight to Lyon, France.  We were greeted with a beautiful sunny day and 17 degrees C as we arrived just after noon in Lyon, and the half-hour Rhonexpress tram ride and a 15-minute walk to the hotel went smoothly. Exploring Lyon France After a quick shower at the hotel, we headed out to explore and soon discovered that Lyon is a very beautiful city, which shares some of the same elements as Paris.  We walked down a shady tree-lined street to the Saone River, which is lined with a pedestrian walkway, a lovely green space, and many floating barge restaurants.   We then crossed the Pont Wilson onto the island, where the streets became narrow cobblestone lanes crowded with people enj...