Harry Potter props at

Harry Potter props at the Musée Cinéma & Miniature de Lyon© Gillian ThorntonView from the Opera House roof © Gillian Thorntonspaces such as Place Bellecour, one of Europe’slargest squares, and the large pedestrianisedarea is retail paradise for fashionistas.Next day I catch the Metro to Hôtel de Ville,close to the city’s well-stocked Museum ofFine Arts on Place des Terreaux. But thistime I’ve booked one of the popular behindthe-scenestours at the nearby NationalOpera opposite the Town Hall. No particularopera knowledge is needed to enjoy thisextraordinary 19 th century building, revampedwith a domed roof in 1993 by architect JeanNouvel. Just a love of architecture, the arts,and unusual experiences.With its soaring domed roof and five levelsof rehearsal and performance space belowground, the project was controversial fromthe outset, but is now a much-loved feature ofthe city, home to an opera company, a balletcompany, and resident orchestra. The hourlongtour (booking strongly advised) revealshow Nouvel turned this elitist venue into aspace to welcome everyone.Tour over, I head back to the Old Town andtake the funicular to Fourvière to wanderthrough the ancient performance spaceof those Roman theatres, hub of culturalMusée des Confluences © Gillian Thorntonlife during the Empire and still used foroutdoor productions today, then on up tothe 19 th century hilltop basilica. The viewfrom the terrace takes in the Renaissancerooftops directly below, the twin towers ofthe Cathedral, and the boulevards of thepeninsula where I can clearly see the domedroof of the Opera House.But if you think the opera house is dramatic,wait till you see the angular structure of theMusée des Confluences, opened in 2014on former wasteland near the tip of thePresqu’Ile. This unique museum deals withbig universal questions: humanity’s origin andfuture, the diversity of cultures and societies,and the place of humans in the living world.Place Bellecour © Gillian Thornton102 | The Good Life FranceThe Good Life France | 103