We wanted to take DiploBaby to the Lyon Fête des Lumieres or Festival of Lights which usually happens on December 8 of each year in honor of the Immaculate Conception. Lyon has really close ties with the Virgin Mary. READ THE STORY BEHIND THE FESTIVAL HERE.

So we drove to Lyon after work on a snowy Friday evening. Driving there was crazy because the visibility was so low due to the snow.

We were so scared to go off the road so what we did was follow trucks that had lights behind their vehicle so we could see where to go and we knew that the truck drivers are very familiar with the roads. So we were very chill driving there. We tried to follow the French cars but we couldn’t keep up. The French drivers were going 150 kph (the speed limit is 130 kph on highways in France). Crazy on a normal day but even crazier in a snowstorm. The 2.5hr drive ended up 3.5hrs for us because of the snowstorm.

Boy were we glad when we arrived in Lyon and the weather cleared!

I tried to take pics of the striking architecture with my phone but it was dark and we were in a moving vehicle. This is the best I could do.

We went to Lyon Centre Château Perrache hotel first to check in and unload our luggage. Unfortunately, their parking was full so they recommended we go to nearby Q-Park Gare Perrache. It’s a really safe, clean and convenient place to park because it is just in the Gare which is super near our hotel. We purchased the parking for 3 days from our hotel at a discounted rate of €18/24hrs instead of €23.70/24hrs.

Even if we took the car with us, we didn’t use it for 3 days. Because it’s so hard to find parking when going around Lyon, it’s better to use public transport.

That’s another reason why we opted to stay in the Lyon Centre Château Perrache hotel because it’s beside the Gare or train station. Here we are walking from Q-Park Gare Perrache to Lyon Centre Château Perrache hotel.

DRIVING BACK HOME

After late checking out of our hotel, they kept our luggage for us while we had our delicious meal in BRASSERIE GEORGES then we got our car from the parking so we can park by the hotel to load up our luggage. Just walking around and even the graffiti is so interesting when you are in a new place.

We also made sure to let DiploDog have a nice walk and a pee before we headed into Q-Park Gare Perrache. Our car was as we left it. That’s why I highly recommend it.

The drive home was very smooth because the weather was clear. It was super fast and easy. Only 2.5hrs! Personally, I prefer driving to Lyon because when we took the train back the next time… going to Lyon was less than 3hrs BUT going back home was less than 5hrs including transfers, a train to Coppet and #DiploBigBro picking us up from the Coppet station to take us home. We missed the fast train from Geneva to Coppet so we had to take whatever train was next and it was a slow one.

Taking the train home was more tiring… having to get the gare before our departure, then having to take all the luggage when you transfer, then missing the fast train and depending on someone to pick us up because the bus going home is too tedious. Next time we go to Lyon a quick and easy drive with all our stuff is IMO cheaper and easier.

UP NEXT: My review of the Chateau Perrache Hotel & the food in the bar & breakfast