Day two in Lyon started with my re-booked city bike tour at 9.30am. The group of eight (5 Americans, 2 French Canadians and me) met our guide outside the court in the old town. We were given a brief lesson on how to control the e-bikes, which were easy to operate. Although it took me a while to get use to the kick of the motor assistance moments after pushing off.

Helmets were optional, but with “put your bloody stack hat/helmet on” imprinted in my brain since childhood I wore mine. So did most of the group except our guide and a man from Pasadena – Californian cool no doubt!

We set off north along the Saône River, stopping to admire former silk weaving factories. Next we went through the longest bike tunnel in Europe, it is one mile in length and only allows buses, pedestrians and cyclists to pass. A separate tunnel for cars is next door.

We emerged near the Parc de la Tête d’Or or Gold Head Park, the legend is a golden head of Christ is buried there. It has yet to be found… In this park there is a free (yes, free!) zoo that the City of Lyon funds for the enjoyment of its citizens. We saw the giraffe and deer on our ride.

We headed back south along the Rhône River to a small patisserie to try two savoury pastries – one with goats cheese and asparagus and the other with seafood, rhubarb and dill. The latter sounds like an odd combination but it was delicious, like everything else I’ve eaten here!

After riding back to the old town I said goodbye to the group and headed up to Fourvière. Humidity and many steps equals hard work but the view at the top made it worthwhile. The Basilica of Notre-Dame was also very impressive.

My final stop was the reason I climbed the hill; the Gallo-Roman Museum! Built into the side of the site it is hardly visible from approach and therefore does not distract from the ruins. My 4€ entry fee included an English audio guide – great value! The museum is state of the art in terms of use of technology, displays, lighting etc. The artefacts on display are amazing!

You can walk up to and touch many of the stone tablets and still see traces of the red paint that once coloured the inscriptions. It’s possible to walk across a relocated mosaic tile floor that was unearthed in the area. I spent a lot of time admiring the intricate details in the stone and metal statues, fine jewellery and small glass bottles that have survived thousands of years buried underground to be rediscovered and enjoyed again today.

Lastly I walked around the ruins of the theater that is still used for performances today. In fact a modern dance company were rehearsing at the time. There is also a smaller odeon that is also used for modern day musical performances.

By this stage my legs were tired so I decided to take the funicular down the hill. While trying to figure out which way to go I met Carmen from Puerto Rico. She was trying to find another museum and had been sent in the wrong direction. We worked out the funicular together then stopped for a coffee and cake along with a good chat.

It was another quiet night in, eating the rest of my home cooking. The next day was reserved for Beaujolais!