We had talked about doing a road trip for a year, and in the summer of 2015 (almost 10 years ago), we finally made it happen. Living in Germany, we’re lucky to be right in the heart of Europe—with so many countries just a few hours away, the possibilities felt endless. So we mapped out a bold 19-day route: from Germany to France, through the heart of Spain, then looping back through France before returning home. It wasn’t just a vacation—it was an adventure across borders, cultures, and landscapes. Our path took us through Luxembourg, Lyon, Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Bilbao, Zaragoza, Toulouse, Versailles, and Paris. Each stop had its own rhythm, its own surprises.
After a quick stop in Luxembourg—just enough time to stretch our legs and admire its charming streets—we continued our journey deeper into France. Our first real destination in the country was Lyon, and though we didn’t know what exactly to expect, it quickly carved a space in our memory. This city, known as the gastronomic heart of France, greeted us with its history, its hills, and that unmistakable French charm. It was a place I had only heard about in passing, mostly through Karim Benzema, the Real Madrid football star who was born there. That name alone gave Lyon a sense of familiarity before we even arrived. But what we experienced was more than any football biography could capture.
We had booked our accommodation on Booking.com, opting for a budget-friendly hotel just outside the city center. The photos online looked decent, and at the time it felt like a good decision for a night’s stay. But as soon as we stepped into the room, we regretted it. The smell hit us first—a mix of something stale and enclosed, like a room that hadn’t been aired out in days. Maybe even weeks. It was hot outside that day, and the heat only made it worse. The windows didn’t help much, and there didn’t seem to be any ventilation. We did our best to ignore it, telling ourselves it was just a place to sleep. After all, we had a whole city waiting for us just beyond those walls.
And Lyon did not disappoint.
The city itself was absolutely beautiful, in that classic European way. Old buildings stood gracefully beside modern life. Narrow cobblestone alleys opened up into wide plazas. Cafés spilled onto sidewalks, their tables filled with people enjoying pastries and coffee, speaking in that soft, musical French. There was movement and life everywhere, but it never felt rushed.
We started our exploration on foot, walking slowly and letting the city introduce itself to us one scene at a time. Lyon is built between two rivers—the Rhône and the Saône—and that geography gives it a unique layout. You could be in the middle of a busy shopping street one moment, and then walking along a calm riverside path the next.
One of the most unforgettable parts of our day in Lyon was when we decided to go up to the hill where the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière stands. It was a bit of a climb, but there are options like funiculars or slow, steady stairs if you’re feeling adventurous. We chose to walk, pausing along the way to admire little corners of the city that seemed to reveal themselves only to those who explored on foot.
And when we finally got to the top, the view took our breath away.
Lyon stretched out before us in layers of red rooftops, blue skies, and winding rivers. You could see both the old town and the more modern areas, side by side, blending past and present in a way that felt perfectly balanced. The view from Fourvière is often described as the best in the city, and now we understood why. We stood there for a while, not saying much—just looking, absorbing, letting it sink in.
The basilica itself was stunning, too. Its detailed facade and interior gave a sense of grandeur and peace. We didn’t rush. We took our time walking through, lighting a candle, and simply being there in the moment. There was something about the silence inside that contrasted beautifully with the lively city below. It felt like a quiet reminder that sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip aren’t the ones we plan, but the ones that ask us to pause.
After heading back down from the hill, we continued walking through the city, visiting little squares and watching life happen around us. We passed through Place Bellecour, one of the largest open squares in Europe, and saw locals sitting on benches, chatting, or simply enjoying the sunshine. Street performers entertained children while tourists like us looked on, cameras in hand, smiling without even realizing it.
Though we didn’t have time to dive into Lyon’s famous cuisine—no bouchons or fine dining this time—we still caught a glimpse of its flavor. The smells from bakeries, the cheerful hum of conversations in local restaurants, and the sight of fresh produce in markets gave us a sense of how much this city loves its food. It made us wish we had more days here, enough to slow down, sit down, and taste everything we passed by.
Despite the rocky start with our accommodation, the city made up for it completely. The room was quickly forgotten once we stepped outside. That’s the thing about travel—sometimes not everything goes smoothly, but the destination still leaves you with something special. Lyon gave us that. It gave us a first look at French life beyond the clichés, beyond Paris. It felt real, lived-in, but still incredibly picturesque.
As evening approached, the light began to change. That golden hour glow made the old buildings even more beautiful. We walked slowly back toward our hotel, tired but content. Our feet ached a little, but our hearts were full. We talked about the view again, about how peaceful it was up there, and how Lyon, even in just a short stay, had left its mark.
We left early the next morning, continuing our road trip toward the south, but Lyon stayed with us. Even now, when I think of France, I don’t just picture the Eiffel Tower or lavender fields. I picture that hillside view in Lyon, that first bite of a warm croissant, that smell of the river in the afternoon. And yes, even the funny memory of that awful hotel room—which in a strange way, made the rest of the day feel even more worthwhile.
