What a unique airbnb experience!! Highly recommended place and hosts. David and Christian welcomed us so warmly into their home, immediately plying us with drinks, good conversation (in French), and recommendations for dinner. Because of our tight timeline (and our late arrival -which they were very gracious about), we didn't have a chance to spend too much time with them, but they are absolutely lovely and the Friponne barge is something to be experienced! The guest quarters are in the old captain's quarters, while David and Christian's living area is in the part of the barge that used to carry whatever was being transported (coal, grain, etc.). It's wonderfully cozy and the whole barge is covered with vegetation, and comes complete with a cat and two parrots! The guest accommodations are clean, simple and sufficiently private, and the Friponne is about 5 minuts from Perrache train station and a 15-min walk (or 10 min bike) from Vieux Lyon (old town). On our last day, Christian and David were kind enough to let us leave our stuff on the barge well past check-out time so that we could experience Lyon to the fullest. One note -- probably a better, fuller experience if you speak French (assuming you'd like to get to know and socialize with your hosts), because
as far as I can tell, Christian and David speak minimal English. Not a dealbreaker if you don't speak French, but it will change the experience, since these two are very warm and chatty people! :) In any case -- Top hosts, place and unforgettable airbnb experience! We would definitely stay here again.