Lyon

Spend a few days in the culinary mecca that is Lyon, satisfying your cravings for French cuisine, and you will never want to leave.  It is our favourite food destination in France for something to eat and drink, and here are just some of the reasons why…

• Nearly every day of the week, you will find a local food market in one of Lyon’s neighbourhoods. One of our favourites is the La Croix-Rousse Market (in the neighbourhood of the same name, open Tuesday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays), where you can stroll amongst the stalls serving up everything from fresh bread, artisanal cheeses, saucissons of every variety, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and more.  If the raspberries are in season, we recommend buying a punnet to munch on whilst walking around the market.  
• Wander the back streets of Vieux Lyon (the old town), and explore the shops, restaurants and bouchons in this charming part of the city.  If you are looking for a tasty souvenir to take home, we can recommend popping in to Signorini Tartufi (who have multiple locations across France), and maybe pick up some truffle salt, truffle oil, or one of many other truffle products they stock.  Or maybe just try tasting all the samples.
• No visit to Lyon is complete without having a meal at a bouchon.  These are a type of restaurant that specialise in traditional Lyonnais cuisine, and a typical Menu du Jour (set menu) lunch will usually set you back around €20-€25 a head.  Many of the bouchons can be found in Vieux Lyon and along the Rue Mercière.  Our favourites include Crazy Salmon (on Rue Mercière), or Aux Trois Cochons (which is very much a locals’ haunt, in the Croix Rousse neighbourhood).
• Follow your nose into a local boulangerie.  The French have perfected the art of bread, and when you find a good boulangerie, it is hard to walk past.  Whether you are after a warm croissant, a jamon-beurre (a French baguette with butter, ham and sometimes cheese), or a fresh pain-au-raisin, a good boulangerie will not disappoint.  If you are in the Croix Rousse neighbourhood, check out Boulangerie les Artistes (on Rue de Mail).
• No foodie trip to Lyon is complete without a visit to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, an amazing indoor food market that features many regional speciality vendors.  Named after the famous chef Paul Bocuse, it has been operating in one form or another since 1859.  You can stock up on supplies from many of the boucheries, chacuteries, fromageries, boulangeries, pâtisseries, and wine specialists that are based here.  Just be warned that whilst Les Halles hours are from 7.00am to 10.30pm, many of the merchants operate different hours, so the best time to go is mid to late morning, or mid-afternoon.  And bring your appetite, as you can have a sit-down meal at many of the places, or partake in a sampler plate.
• If you want to try something a bit more upmarket from a traditional bouchon, Lyon has many top end restaurants that will cater to your taste-buds.  The many establishments of the famous chef Paul Bocuse are always worth a visit (not only in Lyon, but also Annecy and Paris).  Our favourite is Brasserie Le Sud (located a few steps from Place Bellacour), which specialises in Mediterranean-style cuisine.  Reserve a table for lunch, a Menu du Jour option is available.
• Enjoy a day out from Lyon and explore some of the surrounding wine regions.  Take a day tour to the Rhone Valley, or perhaps the Beaujolais region, where you will visit local wineries, and taste the wines the regions are famous for.