Antoine M

This is a beautiful covered hall that could rival other similar arcades in Europe. It runs through and connects rue de la République with rue Edouard Herriot and rue de Brest. There is actually a petit silver arcade that is part of the main arcade just before rue de Brest. It's lined with luxury shops selling coutures, hats, shoes, handbags etc. It's a charming passageway especially handy during winter with an escape from the cold and rain. A magnificent addition to the Bellecour Quarter in the second arrondissement of Lyon. Its name relates to machines used for gold and silver bullion and an office for silver bullion was in this passageway. Just charming place to shop and away from bad weather but it can get very crowded at times.

This is one of those "off the beaten track" tourists' discovery. I stumbled upon this by accident whilst trying to find Perrache station. In a Christmas market park stands this tall statue. It's supposedly Marianne, who represents the Republic, with a lion beside her. I could just make out the Gallic Rooster stomping on a snake. Interesting as a passing interest for me. Worth searching for it? You decide.

Stunningly beautiful, a visual feast in a lovely location in the quay sides with about eightyfive flowers in total. I visited this in passing after crossing the University Bridge and came across this visually impressive installation of a giant bouquet of flowers! It's definitely not on most tourist' "must see in Lyon" but worth a pause, like I did, and if you are looking for Lyon Tourism Office, this is a great landmark to use. Worth a look.

Beautiful and charming chapel perched on top Bèlvédere Pipet hill overlooking Vienne. It's quite modestly decorated inside but it's sense of history, calmness and a "otherworldly presence" makes this quite a unique experience for me. Most notably the brick tower carrying The Virgin Mary with the child with a stone statue of Volvic. This chapel is dedicated to the Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Dauphine. Inside may be rather tamed in decor but pause at the stained-glass windows as they reveal stories of the history of Christianity in Vienne. It's quite an effort to get up to this chapel being on top of the Bèlvédere Pipet hilltop but the rewards are priceless! You get to spend moments of silence in the Chapel then enjoy the most spectacular views of Vienne all in one visit. I don't believe there's public transportation that comes this high up but highly recommend finding Chemin de Amoureux Track as it takes up directly starting from Montée Saint-Marcel (google maps this track). There's public lavatory and really suitable for all ages. Oh, you can drive up here but only limited car spaces. Best time to visit is weekend during winter months as not too crowded.

It's an intriguing arcade, a bit rundown but still oozes with charm. The main entrance is from rue des Piliers de Tutelle with a view over towards Rue Sainte-Catherine. There are still few businesses trading from here, mainly shoes and a café and some pop-up shop when I visited. But what really intrigued me were the mid 1800s decor. The two entrances have iron gates and marble columns with exquisite decorative mortif throughout. You can still see double marble columns with Corinthian capital, beautiful ornaments on the architrave, Horn of Plenty and Pompei Pompeian decorations. Some still intact mirrors on the pilaster and the glass canopy bringing in natural light. This may be an old and almost neglected shopping arcade but it's full of history and is listed as a national monument. It's one of the rarest covered walkways designed in the diagonal of this block of buildings. I really enjoyed exploring this historic arcade. Highly recommended, worth exploring.