File:Scan2675 Lyon 1706 at La Croix Rousse, 1996.jpg

English: Lyon's 1965 BERLIET-VETRA VBH 85 number 1706 - which is now in the safe and tender care of AMITRAM at Marquette-lez-Lille in France - was photographed on its usual route 6 at Croix Rousse in 1996.

One of these, number 1704, has found its way to Sandtoft.

Being familiar with Lyon - my other half lived there when we met - I miss these period pieces. TCL had kept them running for thirty years and presented them in a smart maroon livery unlike the rest of the fleet which was, at that time, in transition from an orange, white and brown scheme into all-over white with a red and a black stripe. The interior of the vehicles had the feel of a much earlier era compared to contemporary British buses.

Route 6 runs from Hotel de Ville to Croix Rousse through one of the oldest parts of the city up steep inclines through narrow streets. I never missed an opportunity to ride the service and even with the new replacement trolleys introduced in the late 1990s the trip is well worth seeking out if you find yourself in this impressive city.