Back in Lyon for our second full day of the cruise, the Ramblers had several choices. As was usual lately, we split up again. The senior Rambler was happy to spend his morning on the Catherine, while I signed up for the Lyon city tour. I had done the tour two years ago, and found Les Halles Paul Bocuse an amazing place. Plus they even offered a gentle walkers group…what more could I ask

. Paul Bocuse, the culinary giant of Lyon had died earlier this year (January 2018) of Parkinson’s disease at 92, but his spirit lives on in Lyon. The inventor of nouvelle cuisine, initially created in 1971 to be served on the also amazing for its time, Concorde, can now be found in restaurants all over the world.

The indoor market of Les Halles Lyon is of relatively recent origin but a market could be found here a hundred years earlier. Inside one can find amazing French foods of the highest quality, beautifully presented in tastefully arrangements. They are, of course, not inexpensive; it is not the place to find a bargain but to buy the best. After we wandered the aisles gaping at the culinary treasures, we assembled for a wine and cheese tasting of local products. It was a lot of fun. The Rambler never could bring herself to buy anything at Les Halles. It was all so beautiful, but we were wined and dined most amply every day on the Catherine and many of the products on display were served on board. In fact, the special Lyon chicken, sold with a tricolour medallion, was one of the Catherine’s dinner entrees that night( served without the medallion.) It was delicious!