Day 12, Part 3 - 30th January - Basilica, Traboules, Miniatures
Previously posted: Links - 22nd January 2013
I then went to have a look at the Basilica.
On the Gallo-Roman collections on the funicular route.
Basilica
In summer they're open from 7am to Midnight?! Also they don't do roof tours in winter. Grr.
Frontage
Since the main Basilica was closed for renovations, services were being held in the crypt.
Crypt
There were Madonnas from all over the world.
Notre Dame de Vailankanni (Tamil Nadu)
Notre Dame de Czestochowa (Poland)
Notre Dame de Fatima
No silent mode
For the Chinese market
St Jacques de Compostelle (St James of Compostela)
Crypt Nave
La Vierge de la Naval (Philippines)
Madonna di Loreto (Italy)
Chapel of the Faithful Dead
The only Arabic prayer was from Lebanon. I suppose it has the strongest Christian tradition in the Arab world.
Frontage
John-Paul II Statue, Message
Thanks to free transfers within 1 hour I got into the funicular with 20 minutes to spare!
How to plan when you buy your train tickets. This doesn't break the day up unfortunately.
"Sans Issue" was first translated as "No Way". Then they changed it to "Dead End"
I think I went into look for a toilet
For some reason, French people like to give the two-fingered salute. I'm quite sure it's not meant to be vulgar since they're often smiling - they just think it means "two". Maybe that's how they use it.
(one of the French girls is giving my camera the two-fingered salute here)
Basilica from below
'International' Miniature Museum
I then had a look at some of the Traboules. Traboules are long passageways which are typically found in Lyon (and a few other cities in the area). They were used to get around and during the war were used by Resistance fighters.
Traboule at #58 Rue St Jean
Courtyard
Skylight
Traboule at #58 Rue St Jean
I think I took this for the public service message
Traboule entrance
Next was the Long Traboule.
Passage
Skylight
Courtyard
Other side
Walking through The Long Traboule
Medieval shop
Two courtyards in one
Passage
Courtyard
Underground: Blocked off
Traboule - Two Courtyards In One
Peeking out
Hobo with guitar
He got a fag from a passer-by
Girl hobos
There were 4 of them before I went into the traboule. I asked why they were sitting on the street. They said they were waiting for the bar to open. Normally it opened at 5pm but today at 515pm it was still closed.
Books on sale
I went to scout L'Amphitryon - it was open from noon to midnight, 7/7. So I planned to go early or later to avoid the crowd (and so get a seat). I resolved to visit another museum first: the Musee des Miniatures et decors de cinema (Miniatures and Cinema props museum)
Perfume, Story of a Murderer
The area was scented too
About the movie set
Warning about disturbing content - presumably the "Dead body"
Square below
Museum
"The items on show come from american and european studios. They have been used in filming the movies indicated on their labels"
No, not fakes.
Masks
Starship Troopers
Minority Report
Robocop
Costumes and accessories
Roman stuff; "Attention: our film objects are not copies (loans from 20 American and European studios)"
Anger Management. Aka Self Control in France. Right.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
"Practical Effects". As opposed to "Impractical Effects"?
"Make-Up Effects"
Swords from The Cell, The Last Samurai, Peter Pan and The Scorpion King
Babylon 5 Heads
Heads from 300, BloodRayne: The Third Reich
Crow from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Pseudo-Classical stuff: 300, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, Gladiator
X-men, Minority Report
The Da Vinci Code, V for Vendetta
Batman Forever
There was another warning about 'sensitive' content for this room. At least it was somewhat warranted this time.
Doom mice
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Guns
Inglourious Basterds, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Alien, Alien vs Predator
X-files
The Mummy
More Guns
History of Special Effects
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
Gremlins 2
Animatronics
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Miniatures
Batman Begins
3D Animation
Stop Motion
Puppets for What Dreams May Come, The Avengers (translated as "bowler hat and leather boots"), Beetlejuice
Aliens
Digital Revolution, Matte Paintings
Blue/Green Screen, Film Sets
Independence Day
Storyboards
Pre-Production
Event Horizon
Next were the non-movie miniatures.
Sculpted Heads
Exotic Africa
Chinese Doll House
Chinese Fan
Russian Lacquer
Steam Horse
Abandoned Theatre
The Roadhouse
"Le poids de la crigne" (The weight of the ???)
Charming Flea Market
"Give us money"
They are not a public museum
Attic in the 70s
On the miniatures
Middle Ages Road
Temple of Kurama, Kyoto
Rubble
Jurassic Story
Hotel Milan
St Paul Prison
Cistern
Armour
Shoes
Dolls
Maxim's Restaurant
Overall I found the cinema stuff more impressive than the miniatures.
They have a loyalty card: every 6th visit is free and you can lend it to friends and family
I sense arbitrage opportunities
Atelier
I had a grand plan to eat at L'Amphitryon: I would go there late so there would be space for me. At 10:55pm I showed up, but my plan had been too clever by half: the chef had gone home. The waiter (who reminded me of one of my French teachers) said that usually there were customers at that time, but maybe because of the cold there were no customers so the chef called it a day. So much for being open till midnight. GAH
I suppose I should've gone at 10pm but the walk up and down was very long, and it supposedly closed at midnight after all!
Lucky the hostel had a lot of instant food. Tartine Savoyarde (pizza bread), drumlets
Winter had really come. Wind chill aside, it was sometimes colder than when I'd been in Scotland.
My camera battery did better than expected: despite heavy photo taking, the half battery sign only appeared near the end of the miniatures museum but the low battery sign didn't appear, so I could go back and recharge it.
