In Lyon, the Saone, flows south into the Rhone

Europe is full of ancient buildings including many basilicas and cathedrals. Lyon is no exception. On Ascension Thursday I visited the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, which sits upon heights to the west of the Saone River and the city, and the Cathedral St. Jean (the Baptist), which sits at river level just below it. The former was built in the 19th Century, the later in the 13th. In between the two are the 4th Century Gallo-Roman theaters. In the area just north of St. Jean’s, there are a number of 13th and 14th Century buildings tucked behind later facades in the city between the streets. In the time when these homes were built, the more wealthy you were, the taller your home. But the owner occupied the lowest levels, leaving it to the servants to climb the stairs.

Strasbourg is also an ancient city were people have lived for more than 2000 years. The towers and a portion of the wall of the 13th Century walls stand at the edge of the area of the city known as Petit France. There is the 15th Century Cathedral Notre-Dame, which contains the Astronomical clock. Each day at 12:30 p.m., you can view the procession of the Apostles on the upper tier of the clock or light a candle for a good friend. There are also other, less touristy churches dating earlier and later. It is a beautiful city, were you can sit on the porch of a restaurant on the Ill and enjoy good company, a great view and unbelievable fois gras.