A wonderful visit to Vienne!

Tuesday, January 05, 2016

Hello!

We have definitely had a really good day, and fortunately, the weather even cooperated on our trip to Vienne and Saint-Romain-en-Gal. (Which is good, as our umbrellas remained safe and dry at the apartment!)  We had saved this for our last day, as the weather was a bit dicey earlier in the week, and of course the museum was closed both January 1 AND yesterday, as it was Monday. 

 

Heading back with flowers from the market

Sunny, beautiful day!

So…up about 7 and out and over to the market across the Saone.  I wanted to pick up some flowers for the apartment, as new people are coming in tomorrow, and we’re supposed to turn the place over clean.  I was able to get some stunning red tulips, which look very good across the mantelpiece.  (I’d take down our little Christmas tree, but we are so enjoying the lights and I have no idea where to put the ornaments.) Then, we left for Part-Dieu train station … the usual C3 bus to the T4 tram, which took us right to the station.  We even were able to use the chip credit card and actually get tickets to Vienne!  (In the past, in Paris, the machines NEVER would accept our U.S. cards; I guess the chip really does make a difference!) 

Me on train!

We only had 20 minutes or so to wait, so R picked up a slice of pizza at Paul in the train station, and soon our track was posted, and out we went.  The train we were on was very tiny – about 2 or 3 cars only, but supposedly it connects to a TGV to Avignon somewhere along the line.  It only took something like 18 or 19 minutes to cover the 30 km or so and soon we were pulling into Vienne. 

Looking down the Rhone from Vienne bridge

City of Vienne with ancient fortification in back

The information booth in Vienne was able to give us a map, as well as direct us on how to walk to the Musee Romain.  Robert, however, ever the bus-taker, had other ideas, and right out front of the station were several buses, one of which was going our way!  So, we climbed aboard for the five minute or so ride along the Rhone, and we could see the museum on the other side of the bridge, making it very, very convenient to reach.

We had the museum mostly to ourselves for our entire visit.  There was a school group there when we went in, but they quickly disappeared who knows where.  We first visited their temporary exhibition, which was about combat in mosaics.  Apparently they have a very big mosaic conservation lab, and they even offer classes in mosaics to the local community!  (That would really be fun!)  One of the neatest aspects of the entire museum is that it is built right over the actual Roman site. 

I do love mosaics...

Now those are wine bottles!

In fact, there are still places needing to be excavated on the grounds.  Additionally, most of the museum itself is built on concrete piers leaving the ground underneath undisturbed, and also, we’re assuming, available for excavation.  What a great idea!

After the temporary exhibit, we went through their permanent collection, and it is really quite impressive.  The mosaics were stunning, and they had recreated rooms from a Roman house on the grounds.  The free headphones talked about coming and staying for dinner, as well as staying the night.  The list of foods that could be prepared was amazing!  

Beautiful patterns in the mosaics

Actual Roman plumbing pipes!

Mosaic about the sea

Beautiful mosaic discovered in Vienne in 1902!

So … speaking of food … By the time we finished the permanent collection, it was past time for lunch.  Their restaurant, La Table de Cesar, was open, and the food was fantastic.  [And, yes, they had Caesar Salad on the menu!]  I had their Plat du Jour which was supreme of chicken in a moreilles (mushroom) sauce, served with rice and warm ratatouille.  Robert ordered their Dorade (a fish) which came with fondued leeks and potatoes Dauphinoise.  For dessert, R had a warm apple crumble, and I had Iles Flottante.  

Wow…needless to say, it doesn’t look like the pasta we bought the other day will be eaten by us.  We figured we would give it to Clothilde or leave it for the next folks coming in!  

After lunch, we headed back outside to the excavation part of the site.  This was labeled mostly in French, but a little bit in English and that with the audioguide provided us with plenty of commentary.  We had a good look around, and then decided we would head back to the train station and make our way back to Lyon.

Once again, after walking across the Rhone bridge to Vienne, a bus pulled up right in front of us, and was actually going our way!  So, again, on we went and there we were.  We had about half an hour to wait for the next Lyon Part-Dieu train, but it pulled up right on time, and we were back in Lyon in no time at all.  

Back to the flat about 4-ish, and then it was time to commence our cleaning.  So … R vacuumed and mopped all the floors, while I cleaned the kitchen.  We’re just about all set except for a little dusting and bathroom cleaning, which we will do in the morning.   

So!  Our stay in beautiful Lyon is just about over!  We are looking forward to getting to Greece, but first, part one – back to Paris on the train tomorrow about 11 am.  We’re over-nighting next to Porte Maillot, where we will pick up the Ryan Air bus for Beauvais airport, which is about 40 km north of Paris. 

So, for now, that’s about it!

m

xxx