We went on a quick trip to Marseille to say Merry Christmas and exchange gifts with Sally, Hanna and Alma.

It is also World Cup final day. The guard announcement on the train reflected the enormity of the day – Je vous souhaite un très bonne journée et allez les bleus.

We met lovely Alma – who proudly showed off her first three teeth – and then had lunch at Sally’s. Afterwards we walked into Aix where people were getting ready for le grand match.

We also encountered a display of local dancing in the Christmas market.

But also lots and lots of football fans crowding in squares to get a view of the final.

The result was not looking good for all those hardy souls by the time we left Marseille. But then while on the train things took an interesting, incredible turn – then again and again.

I watched the shootout on my neighbour’s phone over his shoulder. Needless to say the train was quiet after that.

There’s always US/Mexico/Canada 2026.

Having missed my annual trip to my old school’s Christmas carol concert last week, Cath booked tickets to a Lyon equivalent in Basilique Saint Bonaventure.

It featured the Lyon Opera orchestra and children’s choir and there were some recognisable Christmas favourites such as In the Bleak Midwinter.

It isn’t bleak in Lyon but there are frosty winds that would make you moan if you weren’t layered up.

However this concert warmed the cockles and the children’s choir were very good. I missed the audience participation side of things but it was a lovely festive evening.

Welcome to our newsroom with its newsdeck.

All aboard the good ship Euronews.

So France beat Morocco to reach the World Cup final. Here’s the reaction in the 6th arrondisement.

What will happen if they win the thing?

This time there was snow for real in Lyon. It made the city look very pretty and wintry.

The cycle ride to work was a bit slower than usual.

It was cold at work. In one meeting, six people were wearing scarves, four others padded gilets.

This is a nice touch by one of our neighbours. A basket of sweets for people to help themselves in the run-up to Christmas.

However it coincides with the reappearance of mice in the building so the timing might not be the best.

These baubles around Lyon are a nice Christmas addition.

Il fait vraiment froid à Lyon ce weekend. Et il y a de la neige. Seulement sur une voiture mais de la neige quand même.

Not long now til the big match. Everyone is talking about it. One of Cath’s students predicted a 6-0 victory for Les Bleus with Lloris among the scorers.

One thing’s for sure – there’s no getting away from it here.

COME ON ENGLAND!

*UPDATE: No, it’s not.

On 8 December we went out again to experience the festival of lights – this time with crowds.

We watched some famous buildings in Vieux Lyon light up and look a bit different.

And everywhere – candles.

The atmosphere was lovely – Presqu’Ile was pedestrianised – and though there were lots of crowds, there was plenty of mulled wine and hot chocolate stalls dotted around.

It all made for a very nice evening.