Vienne. Tuesday, 10th March 2009.

The town of Vienne lies 1/2 hour drive south of Lyon on the banks of the Rhone River and is home to Restaurant - Hotel La Pyramide. La Pyramide began with the legendary Fernand Point. The boulevard the restaurant is on was named after him. We photographed Patrick Henriroux, the two Michelin star chef who now ownes La Pyramide and had a look around the serene gardens. I thought of you Mum seeing the first few daffodils in bloom and isn't your favourite flower a pansy Dad? They are everywhere in purple and yellow.

We sat in the green space of Jardin public and enjoyed a delightful eclaire before beginning the tourist trail by following brass discs embedded into the footpaths.

Seeing the old Saint-Pierre church which houses the Archaelogical Museum made us realise how much restoration work is done on the historic sights you see as you travel. This old church has had little restoration work done and it is astonishing to see the difference. The windows are broken, sometimes with only the leadlight holding them together. The stone is darkened and bleak.


We wandered the sights of, Saint-Maurice Cathedral, the Roman Theatre, archeological gardens of Cybele, and the Temple of Augustus and Livia, all were beautiful.


We crossed the river for a view of Vienne from the other side of the fast-flowing Rhone before heading back home to Lyon.