Surrendering... a beautiful smile :)
During a long weekend in March, we went to visit my sister in Lyon. We arrived late on thursday and everyone had work on friday, which gave me a whole day to hunt for street photos. I walked quite a bit. If you've never been to Lyon, you should know that there are hills and steps and everything not so nice for your knees and feet. Of course you can always take the bus or the metro up to the top... but where's the fun in that, plus many photo opportunities you will miss.
Anyways, my day alone in Lyon took me from Place Bellecour, to the Celestins underground parking, to the old Lyon, up to Croix-Rousse through the traboules, then back down (taking another route) to old Lyon. I crossed the Saône river 4 times, trying out the many bridges and passerelles.
On the last day we took the metro to Confluence, and walked back to Vieux-Lyon along the Saône.
Anyways, my day alone in Lyon took me from Place Bellecour, to the Celestins underground parking, to the old Lyon, up to Croix-Rousse through the traboules, then back down (taking another route) to old Lyon. I crossed the Saône river 4 times, trying out the many bridges and passerelles.
On the last day we took the metro to Confluence, and walked back to Vieux-Lyon along the Saône.
Le Vieux-Lyon
This representation (sculpted by Michael Elmgreen et Ingar Dragset) of a standing man carrying another man, inanimate, in his arms, as if saved from drowning, is disturbing. The faces of the two characters turn out to be identical. The man is carrying his double, thus becoming his own savior but also his own burden! It is thus called 'Le Poids de Soi' ('The Weight of Oneself').
In a new take on classical statuary, this antihero symbolises the issues of responsability debated daily at the nearby courthouse, inviting us to reflect as well.
In a new take on classical statuary, this antihero symbolises the issues of responsability debated daily at the nearby courthouse, inviting us to reflect as well.
'The Weight of Oneself' - by Michael Elmgreen et Ingar Dragset
Croix-Rousse
View of Fourvière
There are many ways to get to the top of Croix-Rousse. On the way up, I chose to use the Traboules. On the way down I passed by the a little Roman Amphitheatre.
What in the world is ‘Traboules’ you ask ? Using your knowledge of Latin (which is hopefully better than mine), you will find that the word is the corruption of ‘trans-ambulare’, or ‘to pass through’. They date back to the 4th century, and allowed folk more direct access to the town’s fresh water source than the winding streets provided.
They often give access to lovely courtyards and beautiful architecture. Unfortunately many of these traboules are closed to the public nowadays, but if you are lucky, you will find an open door or a friendly resident to let you in.
What in the world is ‘Traboules’ you ask ? Using your knowledge of Latin (which is hopefully better than mine), you will find that the word is the corruption of ‘trans-ambulare’, or ‘to pass through’. They date back to the 4th century, and allowed folk more direct access to the town’s fresh water source than the winding streets provided.
They often give access to lovely courtyards and beautiful architecture. Unfortunately many of these traboules are closed to the public nowadays, but if you are lucky, you will find an open door or a friendly resident to let you in.
There is so much more to see and capture, so, I guess I have to come back more often :)
All photos taken by Sylvain Duchêne