Barging in France – River Saone – Lyon

To Chalon-sur-Saone and back – 11th to 17th October 2016

Part 3 – Day trip to Lyon

Why then take a train trip to Lyon?

It’s all to do with planning the next few years on Shangri La.
A while back, quite some time before we bought Shangri Lawe did a section of the Canal du Midi, on a hire boat.
We have been weighing up the pros and cons of heading all the way down the Rhone and back up again, just to do the same canal again. By all accounts, there are not that many places to stop at along the way either, and one has to plan carefully to avoid the fast flowing current on the way back.

As Lyon is at the confluence of the River Saone and the River Rhone, we considered possibly going down that far, and leaving the boat there for a week or 2 and visiting the south of France using train or flying. As we were at Chalon-sur-Saone, we thought a quick exploratory trip down there by train might help with the decision.
Well – I am glad we did.

Lyon

Lyon itself is a beautiful city, situated on the banks of both the Rhone and Saone. it has a lot of similarities to Paris. We arrived there about lunchtime and tried to find one of the vegan restaurants we had checked out on Happy Cow. After getting some directions at a vegan shop, and a lot of walking, we found Les Toutes Coleurs.

It was extrememly busy but they were able to accommodate Karen and I. We had the three course Plat du Jour. Very nice, but a bit on the pricey side.
But we are only too glad to actually find vegan restaurants in France!

After lunch we took a lovely leisurely stroll down alog the banks of the Saone, heading to the marina. There is the usual market, but this one is quite big, and seems to be everyday.

Lyon Marina

What a disappointment!

Firstly the Capitainerie was closed for winter. There was a sign on the door giving contact details.
But such a tiny, poorly equipped marina for such a big city, located on 2 major rivers.
It can accommodate only about 20 boats, even though situated in a big basin with ample room for more finger jetties.
The other huge downside – there are modern buildings and shopping malls all around the basin, with no security at all!

Maybe of course there just is not the pleasure boat traffic to warrant improving the facilities?

But all this has made the decision quite easy. We are keen to spend a few days in Lyon itself, but it is definitely not worth making the boat trip down there.
I think next year we will cruise with Shangri La as far south as Macon on the Saone, and then head north again.

Next – back to St Jean-de-Losne and wintering.

To get Karen’s perspective on out travels, see her blog.

Bon voyage.