Lost-in-France.com

Category: Barging Through France

Tags: France, French, Travel, Lyon, puppeteers, Gnaffron, punch, judy, painted walls of lyon, hungarian, blacksmith, morring, spike, cooking, recipes, for, pastry

In this episode of the video series about barging through France, host Richard Goodwin leaves the wonderful city of Lyon and heads down the Rhone as he recalls some of his experiences in Lyon. As Richard writes, "My memories of the still very active puppeteers who star is Gnaffron are very reminiscent of Punch of Punch and Judy. Then I made an investigation in the painted walls of Lyon."

"After that I had a chat with Mr. Barbier a motor bike specialist and cinema buff and I had my very first ride on a Harley Davidson. Then I visited the forge of Mr. Paitko, a magnificently moustached Hungarian blacksmith who made me a wonderful mooring spike."

"Gabriel is one of the very top patissier in France. He shows his moulds and some of the tricks he uses in his very specialised trade. I visited a couple of French designers called Vavro who design plates and crockery for big producers in France and Germany. They show me how they do their designs."

"Bronze caster George shows me how he cast statues of angels and oven knobs. These guys can cast just about anything. I must have been feeling hungry for I suddenly remembered my visit to Bernachons, the famous chocolate shop in Lyon. Here they make the chocolates and cakes. They make their own chocolate from the beans that come from all over the world. I is not at all simple to get all the ingredients just right and all the temperatures correct for those melt in the mouth chocolates. We learn about the sensitive Maurice Bernachon the founder of the firm. We see the mechanics of the President's cake."

I visit the last flag maker in Lyon. I found it extremely difficult to work the embroidery machine, it was like trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time. My last visit was to the oddest couple in Lyon who call themselves Mr and Mrs NineteenHundred. They dress entirely in 19th. Century clothes and they cook with 19th. Century equipment as well. He says he will stop his vice for collecting when he is sure that everything in his collection is from the 19th. Century and that he feels will take at least three lifetimes. I rather doubt this because he has already collected an enormous amount of stuff."

"I then hear a rendition of three jolly chaps from the puppet theatre who sing a song about Lyon and how they love the smile of Lyon. I think you will too. After a visit to the baker who makes the best bread in France, take a last look at Lyon from the bell tower over the town hall. The clarionneur was practising Verdi on his specially tuned 62 bells. Misted eyed I left this wonderful city."

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