Why You Should Experience Lyon, France: Great Food And History

We’ve always wanted to experience Lyon, France for it’s famously great food, but there were other surprising things like how it’s a beautiful smaller city with an interesting history and lovely architecture. And they have a great flea market and shopping like in Paris on a smaller scale.

And after after reading Annie’s article about “The Top Five Things To Do In Lyon” Howard got busy planning our trip (with our friends, Mercedes and Mark). Here’s what we recommend you do to experience Lyon, France over three or four days. Skip coming on a Monday as many businesses are closed.

It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy!

A Walking Tour And History Of Vieux Lyon

To see highlights of the old city like the Basilique de Fourvière and the Roman Ruins of Lugdnum, we bought tickets from Unique Tours Lyon for the UNESCO : Private walking tour. We really liked our guide, Fantine.

Les Puces du Canal

It’s slightly outside of the city, so we took and Uber there early on a Sunday (largest day for vendors). We were glad we left early as it was starting to get very crowded late morning as we were leaving.

Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse

“Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse is made up of 56 merchants (shellfish sellers, cheesemakers, bakers, chocolatiers, pastry chefs, delicatessens, market gardeners, charcutiers, but also butchers, fishmongers, caterers, wine merchants and restaurateurs) who defend the taste memory of our regions.”

Make sure you don’t go on a Monday as they are mostly closed.

Fine Dining: La Sommeliere

A friend of Mercedes recommended this restaurant and we all thought it was excellent and would love to go back. Make a reservation.

Plum Lyon Teaching Kitchen By Lucy Vanel

We took the Market Table class with six others including our friends Mark and Mercedes.

“The Market Table classes at PLUM include a morning visit to the outdoor market and the neighborhood fromagerie and boulangerie. Then we cook together for the rest of the day.”

On the way to the market ( a steep climb up the hill), Chef Lucy gave us a lesson in the history of Lyonnaise cuisine.

Where to Stay For An Exceptional View Of Lyon

Two Bedroom Two Bath (but only one toilet W/C) Terrasse de Bellecour – Lyon Presqu’île We like the location in the center of the city.

It was a little complicated getting the key across the street and a somewhat unnerving taking a few trips up to the eighth floor with luggage in the small elevator. But once we entered the apartment, the view of Lyon from the top floor was amazing! It has a nice, large kitchen and terrace.

The downsides (other than the one toilet) are the second bedroom basically fits a double bed with little storage .

The kitchen is large and one night we had takeout cheeses and charcuterie for dinner (surprisingly inexpensive for the quality of the local goods).

What To Wear In Lyon

Layers are key as it warms up once the sun is out. There are a lot of uneven cobblestones and comfortable shoes with sturdy soles are important. Mercedes loved her Rothy’s penny loafers in Portobello for this reason.

Next stop…we are meeting our California friends in Provence!

If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.

Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:

Cindy Hattersley Design

Most Lovely Things