Lyons was our last trip abroad, pre-pandemic in February 2020. It seems so long ago in some ways, but also still quite fresh in my memory. Maybe because it was our last trip abroad, maybe because it was such a great trip - and most likely because just thinking about it makes me feel full up, the food everywhere in Lyons was so, so good and also for our mad dash through the airport to make sure we didn’t miss the plane. We didn’t, but it was way closer than either of us liked.

Lyons was a pretty city, and we covered a lot of it on foot. We walk a lot when we’re away anyway, but it was also much needed exercise after sampling, no eating, plenty of glorious food. I don’t think I’ve ever been so full, for so long. And it was full of street art, each with a very different feel. It’s a tough one, but I think these roses are my favourite - they’re on an unassuming part of a building, between two drainpipes with a gargoyle perhaps showing his displeasure.

pink, peach and red roses painted onto a side of a building with graffiti on top

The cat chasing a butterfly came a close second though. With the neon graffiti alongside it, both were eyecatching in different ways.

A black wall with neon yellow and white graffiti - on a wall at right angles is street art of a tabby cat standing on its back legs trying to catch a butterfly

This one shouts uber cool, though the partir ou mourir (leave or die) grave stone brings another dimension. The yellow shapes behind look like they’re part of a different addition to the wall, but also they do highlight and enhance the overall look, who knows?

An image of a youth in a vest, jeans and trainers in black and white looking down at a gravestone with the words partir ou mourir?

And to prove there were all different styles, this rather strange shaped protrusion onto the pavement was decorated quite differently. With the spring like flowers, and the three hearts to the left. And that’s without mentioning the sculpture which is part of the building. Completely intriguing.

3 coloured hearts alongside a decorated part of a building protruding onto the pavement, which is decorated with a sunflower, tall flowers and what look like poppies

The final piece of artwork I’m sharing was just stunning, and in a most unusual spot. They were on one side of a stepped area, a prolonged stepped area which seemed to be never ending and definitely needed something to distract you from the steps. So many steps! I took full advantage of a photo stop!

giant red roses on a concrete retaining wall, surrounded by greenery

I love it when a city has unexpected finds like this, don’t you?