We had to return the car in Lyon, as mentioned in the previous episode.

https://th.readme.me/p/7102

We finally arrived on time and after returning the rental car, we opened the map to walk to our accommodation. The accommodation for our farewell to France in Lyon, pronounced Lee-yong, tonight is called Residence Hoteliere Temporim Part Dieu on Avenue Georges Pompidou, not far from the train station. The reason we chose to stay here is for the convenience of our trip to Italy tomorrow. We will be traveling by train, crossing the EU border together.

Exhausted, everyone dragged their luggage to the accommodation. Little Mouse, who had booked the accommodation in advance, went to contact, talk, and pay. Then we got the key card and went up to the room on the 2nd floor. When we opened the door, we were immediately relieved of our fatigue. The room was spacious and comfortable, just what we needed to rest before our long journey the next day.

Once everyone was ready, we walked back to Gare de Lyon Part Dieu, but this time we took the metro to explore the old town. The metro station was just a short walk away.

Upon arriving at the Metro station, Little Mouse trained the tour group to purchase their own travel tickets. This is a small but common practice for our small tours. Although we have arranged almost everything in advance, including accommodation, train tickets, and car rentals, upon arrival, all tour members will have to gain small experiences during their world-opening trip. These experiences will help us learn to solve problems on the spot, learn new things, step out of our comfort zones, and broaden our horizons. In case one day each tour member has to travel with others or with their families, they will have basic knowledge and skills to use.

We decided to start our journey at Place Bellecour, the central square of Lyon. From Part Dieu station, we took the blue metro line to Chapennes station, then transferred to the pink line towards Perrache, but got off at Bellecour station. As we emerged from the station, we found ourselves right in the heart of the square. We'll continue our walking tour from here, exploring the hidden gems of Lyon. Be prepared for a long walk, as we'll be putting our leg muscles to the test!

Most tourists begin their exploration of Lyon at Place Bellecour, the largest central square in France and a popular meeting point for locals. The square features the Lyon Tourism Office, where visitors can obtain information about sightseeing opportunities. The tall tower is the old clock tower of Charity Hospital. The imposing statue at one corner of the square is a bronze monument of King Louis XIV, a source of pride for the people of Lyon. The statue depicts the king in a majestic pose, mounted on a horse. The bronze has acquired a deep green hue over time. The horse's calm stance symbolizes a period of peace and the absence of war during the king's reign. The statues flanking the base represent the guardian deities of Lyon's two main rivers: the Saône (Soane), meaning "goddess," and the Rhône (Rhone), meaning "god."

Beyond the monument of King Louis XIV, a magnificent structure stands atop the hill: Norte Dame de Fourviere (pronounced "Nohr Dam duh Foh-ree-vee-yehr"). This ancient basilica, dating back to the 12th century, serves as a sacred destination for many travelers visiting Lyon. Attracting over 2 million visitors annually, the basilica offers breathtaking views of the city from its elevated position. Visitors can choose to ascend the hill on foot or take the Funiculaire (cable railway) from the Vieux Lyon subway station. Upon reaching the summit, explore the surrounding area and capture panoramic cityscapes from Fourvière Hill.

We strolled along Victor Hugo Street, where some shops had already closed. We admired the buildings and the way of life of the people. On this street, there is a bronze statue. Our elder brother informed us that it was the statue of André-Marie Ampère. Those who have studied electricity would know the origin of the unit of measurement "ampere." He was the one who experimented and invented "electricity," which we use comfortably every day. Ampère was from Lyon and lived and worked in this city. Therefore, the city built a museum about his life and work to honor him and serve as a learning resource for future generations.

From Victor Hugo Street, we walked towards Sala Street to enjoy the atmosphere by the Soane River. This led us to the Passerelle Paul-Couturier, a bright red suspension bridge. Once known as the Bridge Saint-Georges, it spans 87 meters and was destroyed in 1944 before being rebuilt in its original form. It is considered one of Lyon's most beautiful bridges.

The opposite side of the bridge is the Saint-Georges Church (Eglise Saint-Georges), but we did not cross over to visit it. We just looked at it from this side. The atmosphere here is good because we can stand on the suspension bridge and enjoy the view of the Soane River comfortably. There is a boat tour service that takes you down the Soane River under the Bonaparte Bridge. The buildings along the way are all in bright pastel colors that are pleasing to the eye. From this angle, you can also see Norte Dame de Fourviere.

Upon closer inspection, you'll notice a cluster of black steel structures nearby. These are the television transmission towers known as the Tour Metalique de Fourviere. Tourists often compare them to the Eiffel Tower in Paris due to their similar appearance from afar, making them another popular attraction.

After admiring the pastel-colored buildings with their delicate patterns, we walked back to the Bellecour metro station, the same one we had arrived at earlier. We retraced our steps to Part Dieu, near our accommodation, to buy ingredients for tonight's dinner and tomorrow's breakfast before embarking on our journey to the unfamiliar territory of Italy, which awaited us with open arms.

Tomorrow, we will finally meet in "Italy".

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