If you are in Lyon, the hill of Fourvière comes into view from many places in the city.  With a view of the elegant Basilica of Notre-Dame on top, it is known as "la colline qui prie (the hill that prays)" and overlooks the old part of Lyon in the western side.

During our recent stay in Lyon, we decided to climb to the top of this steep hill.  Even though it was really late in the afternoon, the summer sun was still very warm.  Given the steepness of the slope, no wonder it felt like in the oven.  I was hoping the Basilica might give us a clue along the way how close we were to the top, but it was nowhere in sight and suddenly the path looked endless.  I was beginning to regret that we didn't take a faster and probably air-conditioned funicular.  But everything comes to an end, and we were there, rewarded by a breath-taking view of the entire city of Lyon and beyond.

"What makes a desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well." - Antoine de Saint-Exupèry, French writer from Lyon


Lyon, France IV

A larger image of this painting is available on request.

Media: Original watercolor on paper
Image Size: 11.5 x 8.25 in. (on 12 x 9 in. paper)
Mat/Frame: No
Purchase: Please send me an email for availability.