France

France in May

Paul F.J. Aranas Ph.D. My Travels , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I spent the month of May working in Lyon, France and toward the end of my stay, I spent an afternoon and evening in Lille. Lyon is beautiful, and I enjoyed my time there in January and May.

I was impressed with Lille and the Lillois’ hospitality, friendliness, and their joie de vivre. Lille also has impressive architecture, interesting history, and an abundance of cultural sites.

They say, “When you go to the North you cry twice, once when you arrive and once when you leave.” I look forward to returning to Lille soon.

         Lyon

The Saone
Fourviere
Fourviere and the Basilica from the Saone
over the Saone
Sunset Place de Bellecour
on the way to Croix Rousse
Old Lyon and Fourviere
Bridge over The Saone
Place des Terreaux
Saone and Fourviere
Fourviere
Old Lyon
Movie set
Confluence
The Saone
St. John the Baptist Cathedral
Place Bellecour

                                                                      Lille

Lille Grande Place
Lille Grand Place
Lille Opera

 Night out with the Lillois…super friendly people!

One of my favorite French songs!

Il y a du soleil à Lille

Lyrics translated into English (Google Translate)

One says
We say that the North is always gray
That there is only fog and rain
It is also said that there are heaps, wind and wet pavements
It’s said that people in the North have in their hearts the sun they do not have elsewhere
But believe me it’s a mistake

There is sun in Lille
Do not believe what is said
There are as many girls as in Monte-Carlo or Capri
There is sun in Lille
Do not believe what is said
There are as many idylls as in Saint-Tropez or in Paris

And when comes the month of April
In the streets of the old neighborhoods
Subtle spring tunes
Seem to resurface from the past

The little quinquin no longer cried
Since her mother sang
If he was wise and sleepy
He would chuck ‘galore
(Sleep my little Quinquin, sleep, ouè)
It’s raining all over France
Marseille and Paris are under water
It’s sunny in Lille
As in Nice or Mexico City
There is sun in Lille, you must not believe what is said
We meet as many girls as in Hollywood or Monte Carlo

There is sun in Lille, but yeah
But do not believe what you are told
Know it’s not hard to find good weather in our country

The little quinquin no longer cried
Since her mother sang
If he was wise and sleepy
She gave him a nice sabiot

There is a volcano in Sicily and a cyclone in Tahiti
There is as much sun in Lille as in Dakar or Brindisi

There is sun in Lille
You can believe what you are told
There is sun in Lille
As in the heart of all the ch’timis

There is sun in Lille
You can believe what you are told
There is sun in Lille
As in the heart of all the ch’timis

Working from Lyon, France

Paul F.J. Aranas Ph.D. My Travels , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I recently returned from beautiful Lyon, France, where I worked for a month. It was great to be in France again and I look forward to returning in May. I stayed in a renovated apartment in a 16th century building (in historic Vieux Lyon, a UNESCO world heritage site). It had a unique staircase, which was built without a core.

a rue Lainerie staircase
a rue Lainerie staircase | source: Photo-Seb.net

 

Here are some photos that I took during my stay:

in Gallo-Roman Theatre
Vieux Lyon and Fourviere Hill
The Saône
built around 15 BC
renaissance courtyard walls looking up from the kitchen window
Vieux Lyon
Vieux Lyon courtyard after passing through a traboule
The Rhone
on bridge over The Saône. There was a flood watch.
Vieux Lyon square next to the apartment
men playing boule ball near a merry-go-round.
free zoo at Parc de la Tête d’or
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière ceiling
after Mass at Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
The Grande Roue at Place Bellecour. It changes colors with various artistic designs and images.
Crossing The Saône looking at Fourviere Hill
Lyon at night
vendors selling books, arts, and crafts
cobblestone pedestrian street in Vieux Lyon
walking back down to Vieux Lyon. There is also a great Funicular that will take you up and down the hill.
Statue de la République, Place Carnot
street music group at Place Bellecour
The Lion at the Bistrot de Lyon
near the apartment a few days before I left. For a minute…. thought it was for me… but no, it was for world famous chef Paul Bocuse from Lyon who had just passed away.
Projected animation paying tribute to Paul Bocuse…1500 of the best chefs in the world attended his funeral at St. Jean Cathedral dressed in their whites.

Marius and Fanny

Paul F.J. Aranas Ph.D. Film , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Daniel Auteuil directs and stars in Marius and its sequel Fanny. Drama, humor, and dialogue combine to make two beautiful, thought provoking films. Set in Marseille, these movies explore the dynamics of family, community, and romance, as well as the choices we make and their consequences.