Morning in Lyon

From the Romans to the Nazis, Lyon has been an integral part of the history of France. This very liveable city has all of the advantages of Paris without the hassles. The city was here before the Romans made it their capital of Gaul. I have long wanted to come here because it was the seat of the episcopacy of one of the early Church Fathers, Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyon. Reluctant to support the French Revolution of 1789, Lyon was erased from the map by Rebespierre. Napoleon restored it and enriched it by making it a textile center. We saw a demonstration of silk weaving on a two-hundred-year-old jacquard loom. During WW II the city was part of the Vichy government. Many labyrinthine pass-throughs called “traboules” have figured prominently in the history of clandestine activity from the time of the Romans to that of the Nazis. They were important in the efforts of the French resistance to defeat the Germans. SS officer Claus Barbee was tried and imprisoned here for war crimes. Now Lyon is France’s fastest growing city.Read more