Destination Expert: Lyon, France
What makes Lyon unique?
Lyon is a best kept secret of France. It is located geographically and strategically in central France. It is a gateway to the Alps and popular ski destinations and less than 2 hours ride from Paris by TGV (high speed train). Lyon is also the world capital gastronomy. With Beaujolais nearby, Burgundy to the North and Cote du Rhone to the South, no wonder Lyon has the largest number of Michelin restaurants! Lyon is not only the second largest city in France, but old Lyon is the second largest renaissance area in Europe after Venice.
What traditional dishes should visitors order when traveling to Lyon?
Traditional Lyonnais food is quite heavy on offals, sausages, pâtés and all things oozing with animal essence.
Here is a list of typical dishes:
- Saucisson de Lyon - It is made from leg of pork and usually served in chunky slices. Rosette de Lyon is the most famous of Lyon's sausages
- Andouille (grilled chitterlings sausage
- Andouillette (a sausage of coarsely cut tripe)
- Pistachio sausage
- Gras double (tripe cooked with onions),
- Boudin noir (blood sausage).
- Chicken liver salad
- Cervelle de canut is a cheese spread/dip, and a specialty of Lyon, France. Seasoned with chopped herbs, shallots, salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar
- Salade Lyonnais (lettuce with bacon, croutons and a poached egg),
- Coussin de Lyon. The Coussin de Lyon is a sweet specialty of Lyon composed of chocolate and marzipan. This tidbit is a piece of pale green marzipan, with dark green netting, filled with a chocolate panache flavored with curacao.
- Quenelles (cream dumplings
- Cervelle de canut is a cheese spread/dip, and a specialty of Lyon, France. Seasoned with chopped herbs, shallots, salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar
What are your favorite restuarants in Lyon?
Daniel et Denise
- Casual atmosphere and friendly stuff.
- Prices start at €35.
- Lyonnais "bouchon" (local name for a typical bistro)
- Great Lyonnais cuisine at Lyon’s opera house.
- Great value for money – 25 euro menu
- One, if not the most famous bouchon in Lyon. Run by two sisters and a former waitresses.
- Around 36 euro pre fixed menu you can choose from tons of appetizers, about 8 choices of entrees, cheese and desserts, as well as bottles of Macon and Côtes du Rhône wine.
- Family business since 1836. An Original Art deco. Huge place and fun, where the local eat for birthday parties etc…
- Large dishes and prices are moderate.
Paul Bocuse
- The most famous chef in the world. His restaurant is located on the Saône about six miles to the north of the city.
- A cozy place located opposite the theatre at place Celestine with a good selection of wines.
- The owners speak English.
Master Chocolatier and Patisier- Sebastien Bouillet
Where are your favorite places to stay in Lyon?
Cour des loges
Beautiful hotel located in old Lyon. The hotel constructed four different Renaissance buildings, all clustered around a peaceful, low-lit internal courtyard that houses the hotel’s restaurant.
If you are looking for unique authentic experience, that’s the one.
Sofitel
Modern style hotel, with nice views of the city and the river. Located in the city center.
Villafloentine
Renaissance style hotel dates back to the 17th century located on the hill of Fourvriere, offers panoramic views.
Best Western
For the budget traveler looking for a good value.Located in the heart of the presqu'ile, in a house built during the 18th century between the Rhône and the Saône. Completely renewed with the hotel adds the modernity of the privative spaces and the common authenticity of the common space.
Besides explore the fabulous dining, what should visitors to Lyon do?
- Old Lyon and Traboule passageways
The restored quarter of vieux Lyon is an atmospheric warren of cobbled streets, trabouls (covered passageways) Renaissance palaces, restaurants, lively bouchons (local name for a bistro) and designer shops.
Traboules: hundreds of secret passageways through courtyards, buildings and alleys. Originally used by the silk workers to protect the silk from the weather. Now, partially open to the public, and those are marked with a small seal.
- Astronomical clock of Lyon
Located in cathedral saint jean Baptiste in old Lyon. And one of the oldest clocks In Europe. It indicates the date, the position of the moon, the sun, and the earth. The 9 meter tall clock has a central tower topped with an octagon supporting several automatons. It chimes at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. every day while the angels sing and a rooster crows.
- Fouvriere
A district located on a hill and offers panoramic views of Lyon and beyond. Best is to use the funicular unless you prefer to walk up and down the hill.
The famous Notre Dame de Fourvière basilica also sits at the top of the hill.
La Tour Métallique – was built by the owners of the land of Eifel tower. Now is used for a television tower.
The museum has France’s largest and most important collection of art after the Louvre. It is housed at a 17th century former convent.
Place Bellecour
Large Bustling square surrounded by shops and restaurants.
- The murals of Lyon
Unique wall paintings some cover full side of a building. There are around 150 murals around Lyon.
- Markets
Lyon’s Main Market (les halles)
This is the place in Lyon for foodies. The huge market located near the Part-Dieu station and said to be the place where the best chef’s in Lyon shop. There is cheese, bread, pastries, oyster bars, jamon bars, salads, meat, snails, macarons, fresh fruit and vegetables, chocolates, and everything else in between. You can have a wonderful meal in this market.
A well-known family of cheese makers in France. For about 10 euro you can have 4 cheeses wit bread and a glass of wine.
- Quai St Antoine market
Another heaven for foodies. This is an outdoor market along the river.
Operates everyday but Monday
Arts and craft market
Marché de L’artisant et des métiers d’art de Lyon
Craftsmen exhibiting: wood, glass, porcelain items, silk prints, engraving, jewellery, pottery, paintings, weavings…
Quai de Bondy – 69005 Lyon
Every Sunday: 7am-1.30pm
Lyon has the largest bike system in France, which was actually copied by Paris in 2007.
You can rent a bike almost anywhere. The first 30 minutes are free.
- Cooking class
Chef Jean Marc invites you to his house for a hands-on cooking class followed by lunch or dinner. You could also combine it with a tour to the market.
Chef Jean marc was a chef and instructor at the world renowned Paul bocuse institute and in Michelin restaurants.
Chef Jean Marc
Smadar Palace is a Food and Wine Vacation expert, and a Magellen Award winner in 2010 and 2011. Find her at Food N'Wine and on Facebook
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