Join followsummer onboard Air Canada’s inaugural flight 828

connecting Montreal/Lyon as we renewed our senses in the wine, food and lavender fields of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, relaxing and indulging in Air Canada’s Boeing 767’s business class amenities and excellent service before arriving in this lovely bit of France, some 12383.9 kilometers of Provençal lavender fields, Rhone Valley vineyards and majestic mountains of the Alps. Needless to say, I was excited to return to Lyon where my partner and I spent a glorious 50th birthday week enjoying the fantastic Fête des Lumières. With 2000 plus years of history, Lyon is not only famous for her heritage but also for her gastronomy, and her famous son, Chef Daniel Boulud.  We discovered her major sites and shared welcoming sips and nibbles at the Marriott Hotel Lyon Cité Internationale , perfectly placed in the beautifully imagined Renzo Piano’s Cité Internationale ,and savoured food tastings at  Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles de Lyon and enjoyed a sumptuous welcome dinner at the Sofitel Lyon Bellecour’s romantic Les Trois Dômes, listed on followsummer’s Top Global Restaurant Picks. Bienvenu en France!

We also explored further afield and enjoy the wine, food, and hospitality of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, including hiking the Ardèche Gorges and visiting the Drôme Provençale, Castle Grignan, sip our way through her vineyards, wander magnificent lavender fields, taste local nougat from the Arnaud Soubeyran Nougat factory, overnight in Vienne at the Relais & Chateaux’s La Pyramide Hotel and so much more!

Air Canada is offering year-round service between Montreal’s Trudeau airport and Lyon beginning June 16th; Canadians will soon have a direct link to the second-largest metropolitan area in France. And with up to five flights a week with 37 international business class lie-flat suites and 228 economy-class seats, there isn’t any reason not to visit this lovely gastronomic, wine and lavender-scented destination!

Travel well to Lyon, my friends!