2. Lyon – Budget-Friendly Attractions
Safari and Leah were in Paris, caught up in the vibrant energy of the city, but as much as they loved the Eiffel Tower, they had their sights set on Lyon. With its famous cuisine and charming old town, it was calling their names louder than a street performer with an accordion.
One sunny morning, they sat down with their travel guide, debating the best way to make the journey. “We could take a train,” Safari suggested, pointing to a shiny graphic of a TGV speeding across the page. “The snazzy train really makes you feel like you’re cruising through France like a boss.”
Leah raised an eyebrow. “Or we could take a bus. Think of all the money we could save! We could put that towards a plate of charcuterie in Lyon instead of a fancy train ticket.”
“True, but do you really want to spend six hours cooped up in a bus?” Safari countered, imagining the scene. “I can just see it now: the lovely aroma of a very questionable sandwich wafting our way, courtesy of our fellow passengers.”
“Alright, you make a valid point,” Leah conceded. “But what if we get stuck next to someone who wants to tell us their life story? ‘So, about my cat, Mr. Whiskers…’” She rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Still, I can’t help but think about how stylish we’d feel on that TGV!” Safari said, picturing himself wearing a beret and sipping espresso while gliding through the French countryside at lightning speed. “Plus, we could arrive in two hours instead of seven! Less time getting distracted by snack stands and more time devouring Lyon’s famous Lyonnaise dishes.”
Finally, after a few more rounds of back-and-forths and some jovial bickering over the merits of trains versus buses, Leah pulled out her phone and began booking their tickets. “Alright, let’s be fancy today. TGV it is! I can’t wait to feel like we’re in a movie as we zip past vineyards and small towns.”
With tickets purchased, they donned their best travel attire (which mostly meant wearing sunglasses indoors). When the day finally arrived, they made their way to the train station, and Safari pretended to be a train conductor. “All aboard the express to adventure!” he shouted playfully, earning a few chuckles from fellow travelers.
Once onboard, they settled into their plush seats, both marveling at how much legroom they had. It felt good to be zooming toward Lyon in comfort instead of sitting next to questionable sandwiches. After enjoying a snack of their own (a croissant, of course), they watched the fields of sunflowers rushing past, and they mentally high-fived each other for making the right choice.
In no time at all, they were stepping off the TGV, the smell of fresh baguettes and sizzling meats wafting through the air, greeting them like an old friend. With their hearts full and their stomachs grumbling, Safari declared triumphantly, “Next stop, charcuterie! And don’t forget to tell your cat Mr. Whiskers about our awesome train ride!”
They both burst out laughing as they headed toward the smell of deliciousness, ready to embark on their culinary adventure in Lyon—with plenty of stories to tell and maybe even a few cat tales thrown in for good measure.
Unbelievably charming, Vieux Lyon enchants with its narrow, cobblestone streets winding between pastel Renaissance buildings. Recent rain leaves the paths glistening, while warm golden light highlights the intricate facades. The aroma of fresh croissants and coffee wafts from quaint cafés with inviting outdoor tables and gently flapping awnings.
So, let me tell you about our little escapade in Lyon, a place where our wallets didn’t scream in agony while we indulged in some serious French charm! It all kicked off when Leah and I decided to wander through Vieux Lyon, which is basically a neighborhood that looks like it’s been plucked straight out of a fairy tale. Picture us, hand-in-hand, me in my ‘adventurous’ cargo shorts (a fashion statement I continue to defend) and Leah in a breezy sundress, trying not to step in puddles while dodging charming little cafés that beckoned us with the smell of croissants. It was like walking through a postcard! We explored narrow cobblestone streets that were just begging for Instagram posts, but honestly, we were too busy pretending to be in a romantic French movie, which, based on our accents, ended up sounding like a poorly dubbed comedy.
Next, we decided to take on Fourvière Basilica. Now, let me tell you, the hike up is no joke! At first, Leah was like, “How high is this thing?” and I was like, “It’s just a little uphill.” Spoiler alert: it was a lot uphill, and I may have questioned my life choices right around the third flight of stairs. But once we reached the top, and I’m still panting like I just sprinted a marathon, the views were worth it! Imagine the entire city of Lyon spread out below us like a vast, delicious cheese platter. We took a million pictures that I’ll probably never look at again, but at that moment, we felt like kings and queens of budget travel.
A breathtaking scene atop Fourvière Hill in Lyon, with the grand Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière standing majestically behind. The basilica’s ornate white façade, with its intricate carvings and towering spires, glows under the afternoon sun. Below, the entire city of Lyon stretches out like a vast, colorful tapestry—red rooftops, winding streets, and the shimmering Saône and Rhône rivers snaking through the urban landscape. The sky is a brilliant blue with a few wispy clouds, the perfect backdrop for this victorious moment.
Then, we strolled into Parc de la Tête d’Or, which is the kind of enormous park that makes you believe that heaven could very well be an expanse of green where you can have a picnic without running into anyone who wants to sell you a tour. We even found a free zoo there! So there we were, watching animals like little kids in a candy store – and all for free! I mean, I’ve paid for worse entertainment—like an overpriced movie where the plot is as scrambled as scrambled eggs. So, picture me trying to take a selfie with a sleepy lion while Leah chides me for not being less creepy.
A sun-dappled afternoon in Parc de la Tête d’Or, Lyon’s vast and lush green sanctuary. Towering trees line the winding pathways, their leaves casting playful shadows on the well-manicured lawns where families, couples, and joggers enjoy the fresh air. In the distance, a serene lake reflects the golden sunlight, dotted with paddle boats drifting lazily. The air is alive with the sounds of birds chirping, laughter from children, and the occasional rustling of animals from the park’s free zoo.
And then came the adventure of discovering the traboules, those magical little passageways that Lyon is famous for. It’s like being in a real-life treasure hunt! We wandered through these narrow alleys that felt like they were out of an escape room—complete with me pretending to be a sophisticated detective while Leah rolled her eyes. I never found the hidden treasure (which I imagined to be a stash of gourmet chocolates), but we stumbled upon some lovely courtyards that could easily win ‘Best Hidden Gem’ in the Travel Awards if such a category existed.
Now, let’s talk about food because you can’t talk about French travel without tempting your taste buds! We geeked out over the Bouchon Lyonnais set menus, which are like the French version of a family meal at a diner but with a sprinkle of magic. You could get a hearty meal for €10-€15! I’m pretty sure I consumed my weight in coq au vin and we still left room for hugs while proclaiming our new favorite French saying: “Who needs fancy dining when you can eat like this?”
The Croix-Rousse food market? Oh boy! Fresh produce, local snacks, and vibrant vendors demonstrating that Lyon knows how to party! Leah was enthralled by the cheese and I was enthralled by the fact that I could block out her cheese chatter with delicious bites. It was a culinary carnival, and we ended up ditching the whole ‘planning’ theme of travel and just went with the flow – you might say we turned ‘eating on a budget’ into an Olympic sport.
Finally, we found the perfect budget stay at SLO Living Hostel. Cozy vibes and friendly travelers, all within the €20-€40 range. Picture us sharing a room with a group of thirty-somethings who had all taken the liberty of leaving their belongings in a way that implied a treasure hunt was necessary. But hey, we made friends and shared travel tips, which felt like a triumph of our own! If hostels were a sitcom, ours would win ‘Best Ensemble Cast’ like it’s a casting call for a show about travel mishaps.
And for the price of a budget hotel at Premiere Classe Lyon that was surprisingly decent (€40-€60), we had beds to collapse into after our daily escapades. Leah even found the bed was softer than anticipated, which was a win in her books! We spent nights dreaming of cheese and wine, waking up to conquer another day in the breathtaking city of Lyon—all the while proving that yes, you can travel on a budget without resorting to instant noodles or sleeping in parks (although the oversized ducks did look cozy).
So to all travelers out there, remember: with a little ingenuity, a sense of adventure, and a pinch of humor, Lyon can be as budget-friendly as you make it! Now, if only we can convince our bank accounts that we’re not REALLY broke when we return home…
We would have stayed in Lyon to discover more wonders…
But we had to go to: