Fall Break!

This past week was our fall break, so with a week off from classes it was the perfect time to travel. One of my Colgate friends, Audrey, is currently living in Dijon and teaching English at a high school, so I planned a trip to go visit her and see her in her new home!

Friday morning I started my journey to France with a quick stop over in Lausanne, Switzerland. Lausanne is the second largest city on lake Geneva and the capital of the canton Vaud. With only an afternoon there I tried to see the most important sites. The Cathedral of Notre Dame is located in the old town and is the largest in Switzerland. It's Gothic Architecture and beautiful stained glass windows were beautiful. Lausanne's urban plan is different than other cities, the old part of the city is located up the hill, instead of on the lake. A short tram ride connected the two, allowing me to easily and quickly get from the old town to the Lake to enjoy the view.

Lake Geneva

Stained Glass Window: Cathedral of Notre Dame

Saturday morning I jumped on my train to go see Audrey in Dijon! I arrived a little before 11am and saw Audrey waiting for me at the exit of the train station. It was so great to see a familiar face and was a bit surreal to be meeting a Colgate friend in Europe. Audrey studied abroad in Dijon our junior year, so like me, she has returned for the year. Audrey decided, and I happily obliged, that we would not only see Dijon but eat everything. That included crepes, cheese, bread, croissants, pastries, quiche and wine. Everything was delicious and I quickly realized that I would most definitely become a regular in the patisseries and boulangeries if I lived in France!

Audrey and I!

Wine, cheese, and Dijon mustard!

Saturday we wandered through the twisting streets of Dijon looking at the architecture, colorful tiled roofs and the old buildings interspersed with the newer buildings. As we strolled through the city we caught up on what our new lives were like. It was nice to hear all about her experiences so far. Sunday we went to the Museum of Beaux Arts in Dijon where they were having an exhibition on Francois Rude (a sculptor) and Sophie Rude (a painter), two artists from Dijon during the 1800s. Audrey majored in Art History so as we walked through the museum she was a great help in explaining what we were looking at! After, we climbed the Philippe Le Bon tower in the Ducal Palace to see the city from above. The weekend was amazing and Monday morning came way too soon! However, we will hopefully see each other again, maybe next time in Lugano!

At the top of the Philippe Le Bon tower

When I planned my trip to see Audrey I knew I should stop and see another city if possible on my way home. After some thought and research I realized that Lyon was only a two hour train ride away. I had heard and read about Lyon through one of my high school friend's blog. Nicole studied abroad there two years ago and absolutely loved it! I asked her advice on Lyon and she sent me a whole plan of what to see, where to go and good places to eat! Cutting through Lyon are the Rhone and Saone rivers with many bridges connecting the city making it extremely walkable. On the west bank of the Saone River is Vieux Lyon, the old part of the city. I started there with a trip to the Cathedrale St Jean and then made my way across the Saone to Place Bellecour, a huge open square in the city center. Following that I went to  the opera house and the city hall and ended on Rue de la Republique, the main shopping street in Lyon.

Lyon at Night

Cathedrale St Jean

The Following day I took the Funiculare up to Fourviere, also known as "The Hill that Prays" to the Notre Dame de Fourviere Basilica. The Basilica is located over Vieux Lyon and is absolutely stunning. The mosaics inside were amazing and although under construction the Basilica was breathtaking. It also offered a beautiful view of Lyon and the rivers. Located a few minutes walk from the Basilica are the Roman Amphitheaters. Lyon was the capital of Gaul during the Roman Empire due to it's strategic location and now is home to the oldest Roman Theater in France- The Roman theater of Fourviere. Augustus ordered that it be built from 17 to 15 BC. Next to it is the Odeon, a much smaller theater used for plays and poetry. The floor contains stones from Turkey, Greece, Tunisia and Egypt! I then headed back down to Vieux Lyon for a late lunch at a boulangerie Nicole recommended, Boulangerie L'epiasion for the "best baguette in France!" I had a delicious ham and cheese baguette, It was so good I returned on Wednesday morning before my train to pick up lunch!

At the Odeon

Notre Dame de Fourviere Basilica

Wednesday morning started out with a great breakfast at Patisserie Le Castel, down the street from the Boulangerie from the day before. I then went to the Lyon train station, where my hectic return home began. My first train was delayed, starting a string of delayed trains causing me to miss a connection! I was however able to make it back to Lugano, a few hours later than planned and without a seat on one my trains! I realized this morning when I woke up how lucky it is that I even made it home at all! The French rail system went on strike starting at 8pm last night and is scheduled to last until Friday.