My Lost Luv Letter to Lyon

Isabella Drenthen
Mar 4
5 min read

Dear Lyon,

It's already been a year since I have stayed in your city for 5 months! Time flies!! Last year, as an exchange student, I started my minor in Lyon at Institute Lyfe (ex-institute Paul Bocuse). I was excited to live in France again, in a city I had only driven through and never seen. I was lucky to go with three friends from school and even live with my best friend.

Getting started

At the end of January, we drove to Lyon from Brussels in a day and sang our lungs out during the ride. Our first Airbnb was in a prime location, but it was tiny for two friends living together for the first time. Our first dinner in the most gastronomic city in Europe was at the fast-food chain Quick, as one does... During our time at the first Airbnb, we watched The Artful Dodger with homemade Mochas on the couch, tried to get the first tan on via the open windows, and had our first trip to Toulouse. Toulouse was a lovely city; however, we didn't have the best weather, and it rained a bit.

School and Visitors

After a month, we went to our second and last Airbnb, which made it feel like we were coming home. The school was improving; we started creating more personal bonds with our lecturers and found a better routine. We were lucky to have multiple international lecturers who understood the exchange students significantly. They engaged with the students in general and had a massive experience background. Even though sustainability wasn't my thing at school, the lecturer made me see a new side to it. And even though marketing was my thing at school, the lecturer made me love it even more and was willing to help a few months ago with my thesis. We had more personal bonds with the lecturers there than I had at Hotelschool.

My friend's grandparents and my parents visited us as well. I went to a very Lyonnaise bouchon (restaurant) with my friend's family friends. It was an experience on its own, food and French language-wise. My French is quite alright; I am just not a great French speaker. So, talking with real Frenchies, whom I hadn't met before, during lunch was challenging. Still, it was worth it because they were friendly and understanding. The same goes for her grandparents, who took me along for dinners and lunches in the city. We visited Geneva when my parents came during the Easter break; unfortunately, my friend had injured her arm the day before, but that didn't stop us from having fun and enjoying a new city in lovely sunny weather.

Partying in Cannes to seeing the Loire Valley

Because of many family vacations and a previous internship, we took a trip to Cannes, one of my favourite towns in France. I loved showing her the places I have been to. We met some fun Danish people on our first night, and we met up the next night and partied the night away, making many fun memories for a lifetime. Even the car ride home the next day will be a fond memory, just us with headaches, driving back to Lyon in the sun with loud music from Glee and Disney, making voice memos to friends back home and updating them on our crazy weekend.

We then went on another trip to the Loire Valley the following weekend and visited the beautiful castles. Our little girls' dream was to see them and live our princess fantasies. My photography dreams came true as well because we had the most beuaitful weather the moment we were outside and apprecitaing the extriors. I even almost fell in the bushes trying to take the best photo that I had in my mind; as I would have said "the vision was visioning".

Project Parades at School

Our time in Lyon came to an end very fast, and we finished school with a two-week project in mixed groups at school. Those two weeks were crazy busy, weirdly organized and unclear for us exchange students; however, looking back, I can laugh at it now. We had a "classroom" the size of a gym with all the groups, and once, two guys brought a Nerf gun to "shoot" at other people for fun. We had groups making TikTok for the project while in class. And during those two weeks, we had parades with silly outfits and songs and competitions in group work. It was hectic, but it was an experience I will not soon forget.

Last weekend away to Monaco

The last days before going back home, we went to Monaco for the weekend. When we arrived at the hotel, a commercial for McLaren was filming with multiple McLaren IndyCar/reserve drivers. We then tried to go out and see the city when we stumbled upon Carlos Sainz. This all happened within the first hour… what a way to start. During the trip, we saw the Formula 1 event being set-up, and we could walk over the finish line already. We visited the Rothschild Villa Museum, we went to Antibes, we had fantastic food at Coya, where we met Mexican Businessmen who offered us free wine and tequila; we partied with 18-year-olds, which wasn't our vibe, so we left early and had to pay €25 for a cola at the club. Monaco is an insane place, but it will always bring you great stories and memories.

Only in Lyon

Of course, those trips were excellent, but during our time, we also visited Lyon many times during the weekends. I loved the old town and walking along those cobblestones, stumbling upon new cafes and relatively little artist shops. I loved Parc de la Tête d'Or with the fantastic magnolias in bloom. I loved the Intercontinental Hotel; it had shops, spas, and a great bar. I loved the food; it isn't for nothing that Lyon was once called the gastronomical city of Europe. It has many Michelin-star restaurants, and the famous French Chef, Paul Bocuse, was from Lyon. Even though I didn't eat any of them, all restaurants were quality restaurants. Of course, I had my favourites and would return often, but everyone has those. I especially loved Lyon and the vibes in the city when the sun was shining on those brisk spring days. It could get high temperatures fast during the sun, and everyone would walk around the markets with their coffee and jacket off to enjoy those rays of sunlight.

I can not recommend visiting Lyon anymore. For many Dutchies, Lyon is seen as a place you cross through with 120 km/h when driving to the south of France, but it is 100% worth the small pitstop! Their slogan is also Only Lyon, and it's true! Only in Lyon do you have great vibes with citizens, the best food, beautiful architecture and clean streets.

Thank you, Lyon, for having me for those 5 months as an exchange student. You have made me love France even more than I already did, and I can't wait to revisit you soon!

Spread the love,

Isabella

P.S.: Tips for the best experience in Lyon

Best coffee places

- Puzzles: https://www.instagram.com/puzzlelyon/

- Loutsa Torréfacteur: https://www.loutsa.fr

- Café Mokxa: http://www.cafemokxa.com

Best restaurants

- Grive Epicier Bistrotier: https://www.griveepicierbistrotier.com

- Osteria Matto: https://osteria-matto.eatbu.com/?lang=fr

- Takao Takano: https://takaotakano.com

- Brasserie Georges: https://www.brasseriegeorges.com/en/