Downtown Lyon and the Birthplace of Cinema

Aside from the churches and their glorious architecture, Lyon has many great things to see and many great places to relax.  In the middle of town is the Place Bellecour, which is the largest clear (meaning no trees or grass) square in all of Europe.  In the center of the square stands the statue of Louis XIV, considered the greatest king of France.

The square is home to several cafés and is near several shopping and eating streets.  Underneath the square, as well as many other places in town, is a large parking garage.  Lyon has a good number of these underground parking lots, which I think is a great alternative to above-ground parking lots or garages.

As we walk north, we pass by another square, the Place des Terreaux, which lies in front of the town hall.

Near here is the Opéra National de Lyon, whose hybrid architecture is undoubtedly interesting.  A modern roof hangs over the classical-style building.  Atop the frieze are eight of the nine Greek muses.  Missing is Urania, who is the only muse who is not related to the arts performed in opera.

And next to the opera... another square!  These squares, along with the local cafés and restaurants are the most popular hangouts in Lyon.  I like the atmosphere here in Lyon because everyone is outside in the open air and the city is lively.

Here, we stopped for a quick beverage at a café.

Anybody interested in film history is likely familiar with the Lumière Brothers.  In the 1890's they developed the technologies that allow for filmmaking and film viewing as we know it today, and are often credited as being the "inventors" of cinema.  These brothers were from Lyon, and lived in this gigantic house that is now a museum.

Inside the museum are many of the cameras the Lumières developed.  Among the more notable ones is the original cinématographe, which uses perforations in the film roll as an advancing mechanism - a technology that is still used today.

Here is a still camera using an array of prisms and mirrors that the Lumières used to create 360º pictures for their panopticon.

Outside the mansion is a reconstruction of a hangar where the Lumières' first film was shot.  This hangar, which was originally a factory for the Lumières' employees, was destroyed and rebuilt as a movie theater.  This photo is taken from the same exact spot the first movie was shot from!  The frame of the shot is indicated by some blue lights on the floor, which are not too visible in the daylight.  In front of the hangar is a wall with a still image from that film.

Many famous directors make it a point to make a "pilgrimage" to the Lumières' house.  If for some reason I end up becoming a famous movie director, I'll already have that task in the books!