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Removals to Lyon with Hamiltons Removals
Lyon, as the third largest city in France behind Paris and Marseille, is one of the country’s major economic centres. Originally famous for the silk trade, in recent years it has reinvented itself as a hub of high-tech excellence, particularly in the fields of software development, video games and medical research.
Here Hamiltons Removals, who can help if you are considering removals from the UK to Lyon, put a closer focus on the French city which is famed for both its history and its cuisine.
The History and Heritage
The city was founded by the Romans in the first century BC, and it was the capital of the Gallic part of their empire. As the centuries passed, it did not lose its significance, becoming a major economic hub during the French Renaissance (the city lies on the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers, quite close to today’s border with Switzerland).
Many of the historic buildings have been preserved rather than knocked down, so it should come as little surprise that around 10% of the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. This includes the districts of Vieux-Lyon, Fourvière Hill, the slopes of Croix-Rousse Hill and much of the Presqu’île.
Today, with a population of more than half a million people, as well as the high-tech industries, tourism is also an important contributor to the city’s (and region’s) economy.
Getting There and Getting Around
Lyon-Saint Exupery airport (IATA code LYS) is around 25 kilometres east of the city centre. You can get a light rail service (which resembles a tram), a bus or taxi into the city. If you are considering removals from the UK to Lyon, flights operate from Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton (for those in and around London). In total, there are more than 120 international destinations and more than 40 airlines operating out of Lyon airport, and Air France goes to most domestic destinations.
Lyon also has a TGV (high-speed) rail service to Paris and Marseille and some other European destinations (including Barcelona and Milan). If you want to drive there, six A-roads go either through or close to the city.
The city has four metro lines (A to D) and five tram lines (T1 to T5); there’s also a public cycle service, Velo’v, which has more than 300 points around the city where you can pick up and drop off a bike. However, the city centre isn’t very big and many of the major sights can be reached on foot.
The Main Attractions
Many of the must-see attractions are historic buildings – evidence of the Roman occupation can be seen in the Ancient Theatre of Fourviere, the Odeon of Lyon, and the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls – all of which were originally public performance areas.
The Renaissance influence can be seen in the churches – probably the most famous of these is the Cathedral of St John (the Baptist), which is also the home of the city’s Archbishop. The most iconic building in the city is the Notre Dame de Fourvière, a late 19th-century white stone basilica which dominates the skyline.
The city is also well-stocked with museums, including the impressive Fine Arts Museum. There’s plenty for younger eyes as well – for instance, the Musée des Arts de la Marionnette is a puppet museum suitable for four-year-olds upwards, while the Cinema and Miniature Museum houses exhibits which have been used in many Hollywood blockbusters and is ideal for older children.
Shopping Around and Eating Out
Lyon is one of the culinary capitals not just of France but the whole of Europe. Notable dishes to try include duck pate, roast pork and coq au vin. Desserts include marron glace (chestnuts in syrup) and coussin de Lyon (a mix of chocolate and green marzipan). If you want wine with your meal, then both the Beaujolais region (to the north) and the Cotes du Rhone region (to the south) are close to the city.
The best shopping in Lyon can be found on the Rue de La Republique, which runs between Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux (Lyon’s two main squares) and has most of the big retail chains and department stores.
For something more unique, try the Creation Marketplace in the Vieux Lyon neighbourhood. On Sunday mornings, a hundred or so artists exhibit and sell their wares and crafts, including jewellery and ceramics.
International Removals to France with Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can offer domestic and commercial removals to Lyon as well as Paris, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux and many other French towns and cities. For more information follow this link or call us on 01379 855203.
Unusual New Year Traditions Around the World
Most people are familiar with the idea of seeing the New Year in – in the UK, at least – by staying up late on December 31, watching the fireworks and singing Auld Lang Syne when the clock finishes striking midnight. But if you are moving to another country, what customs and traditions will you be expected to follow?
Hamiltons Removals offer Norfolk international removals to countries in Europe and further afield; here are some of the more unusual – and the more widespread – customs you might have to follow in your new home country at the advent of the new year.
Scotland
Most people will be familiar with Hogmanay, which refers to the end of the year, but for the Scots, the celebration can (and usually does) go on for another day or two – 2nd January is a public holiday there as well 1st January (New Year’s Day).
One of the oldest Scottish traditions is that of the ‘first foot’, also known as quaaltagh or qualtagh. It dictates that the first person to cross a house’s threshold after midnight on New Year’s Eve should come bearing gifts. These gifts can be coins, coal, bread, salt, and a “wee dram” of whiskey, to bring the best luck for the house – something to bear in mind if you are considering removals to Scotland.
Spain
Moving into continental Europe, the Spaniards have one unusual New Year tradition – of eating 12 grapes, one for every strike of the clock when it hits midnight. Legend has it, if you finish them in time, you will enjoy good luck all through the 12 months to come.
The tradition of the las doce uvas de la suerte (the 12 lucky grapes) is said to have originated in 1909 when a Spanish region had an exceptionally fine grape harvest.
If you are thinking of removals to Madrid, the main public celebration of New Year’s Eve is held at Puerta del Sol in the city, where revellers await the midnight chimes of the clock tower at the Royal House of the Post Office.
Portugal
In neighbouring Portugal, there is another food associated with New Year – the raisin. The tradition is to drink champagne and eat 12 raisins – one for each month of the year, making a wish for each.
Another Portuguese tradition is eating a special cake called Bolo-Rei (King Cake). It’s a round cake with a large hole in the centre, resembling a crown covered with crystallized and dried fruit. Inside is hidden the characteristic fava broad bean. Tradition dictates that whoever finds the fava has to pay for the Bolo-Rei next year.
Germany
Here the comedy sketch Dinner For One, is always broadcast on TV every New Year’s Eve. It’s the story of a 90-year-old woman’s birthday celebrations – but the only other person in the house is her butler James, who must impersonate all the other ‘guests’ (old friends who have now unfortunately all passed away).
Ironically it was originally written in English but has never been particularly popular in the UK. This sketch is also broadcast annually in Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
At New Year’s Eve parties Germans also like to eat krapfen, a doughnut that’s usually filled with jam or chocolate, (pictured above) but sometimes with mustard as a prank.
Canada
If you are considering removals to Canada, then many of the New Year observances will be familiar if you come from the UK. There are the usual private parties, to more public street events, and plenty of fireworks and quite often some music as well.
However, there are one or two unusual ones as well – for instance it’s quite common to go away to one of the many winter sports resorts over the New Year and take part in skiing and snowboarding.
And in rural areas in northern Canada, particularly in Quebec, some people spend all night on a frozen lake with a group of good friends and fish through holes in the ice.
Norfolk International Removals with Hamiltons Removals
If you are thinking of moving abroad early in the New Year, then Hamiltons Removals can help. There are plenty of good reasons to consider it, if you want to find out more you can check out our previous blog post here.
We can help with domestic and commercial removals to Canada, Spain, and, closer to home, all parts of the UK. To learn more about our UK removals service, click here; for European removals, follow this link, and for countries further afield, click here. You can also call us on 01379 855203 if you have any questions about any of our removals services.