Unlike previous journeys, this was completely by train. I travelled about 9000km in Europe. Having an Interrail card meant that I didn’t have to think about the cost apart from the occasional seat reservation fee. This is a great way to travel if you want flexibility or aren’t sure where you want to go! Trains … Continue reading / view photos Europe 2026 itinerary
Category: Travel
La Piscine
Today was my final day on this European trip. The weather again decided what I should do: look for cover! My journey to La Piscine, the museum of art and industry, took me to Lille-Europe metro station. The highlight of the station is the fresco by French architect and artist Jean Pattou: An Invitation to … Continue reading / view photos La Piscine
Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
With temperatures forecast to be 37°C, today was the day to duck into a museum. After a lazy start, popping into the local bakery for a baguette and supermarket for other food, I took the bus to the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, Lille’s museum of fine arts. It was one of the first museums … Continue reading / view photos Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
Lille — Fête de la Musique
On arrival at Lille station, I saw a pianist mesmerising the few people gathered around him. After some confusion on my part on where to get the metro, I eventually found it. I dropped my bag at my apartment and walked to the town centre. As I got closer to the centre, more and more … Continue reading / view photos Lille — Fête de la Musique
Museum of Cinema and Miniatures
For my last day in Lyon, I had a few things on my list. In the morning, I went to the central library. This is a huge library. It was quieter and calmer than Nice’s central library. At one point, I was sitting down and one of my sandals slipped off my feet. Very soon … Continue reading / view photos Museum of Cinema and Miniatures
Women in Black
On descending from La Croix-Rousse, I headed towards a vegan cafe. The online reviews for Zeitgeist Cafe were good. Some people said it could be difficult getting a seat. By the time I got there (after 2pm), the kitchen was closed. The crowds had dissipated. I ordered an “iced latte with vanilla”, which had some … Continue reading / view photos Women in Black
La Croix-Rousse
A bus took me from my apartment up hairpin bends to La Croix-Rousse district on a 250m hill, high in the city of Lyon. The district has been shaped by the silk industry. Silk workshops moved from the old town to La Croix-Rousse in the 18th century. Buildings were designed with higher ceilings to allow … Continue reading / view photos La Croix-Rousse
North Korea and zombies at the Musée des Confluences
Today was very hot and had to be treated like a rainy day. I had to find something to do indoors. I chose to go to the Musée des Confluences. Two trams were required. The long-ish journey was immediately worth it when I saw the museum building. It reminded me of LUMA Arles. Musee des … Continue reading / view photos North Korea and zombies at the Musée des Confluences
Lyon — arrival and walkabout
I left the Nice apartment at 7.30am for Nice-Ville station. I had to get a train back to Marseille before getting another train to Lyon. On the Marseille train, a couple behind me showed their tickets to the two inspectors. It looked like the older one was training the younger. After checking the tickets, the … Continue reading / view photos Lyon — arrival and walkabout
Bibliothèque Louis Nucéra
It’s been getting hotter and hotter. Today, my last in Nice, I had to find and book accommodation for my remaining time in France. That, as usual, took longer than expected. In the afternoon, I went to Nice’s central library, Bibliothèque Louis Nucéra. Before I could use the WiFi, I had to get a library … Continue reading / view photos Bibliothèque Louis Nucéra