Lyon is a great city to visit when staying at Les Bardons

Lovely Lyon France, the third largest city of the country, after Paris and Marseille, is a beautiful old and vividly city. It can battle with Paris when it comes to gastronomy. No doubt about that!

Lyon is a great city to visit when staying at Les Bardons

The Lyonnais will praise their city for being the culinary Capital of France. Whether you chose for haute cuisine in one of the 14 Michelin Stars awarded restaurants, or the authentic  bouchons, or just have a seat on one of the numerous terraces in the city center, any foodies would love Lyon. The city features over 2,000 (!) places to eat, there’s something for everyone. With its rich culinary traditions and plentiful markets, you can eat your heart out; Lyon is simply is a culinary Valhalla. Thanks to Master Chef Paul Bocuse, whose restaurants can be found in and around the city and whose name is given to the world championships cooking – Bocuse d’Or – that takes place in Lyon every two years.

Le Panier à Salade, One of the 2000 restaurants in Lyon

Lyon France, the beautiful and rustic capital city of the Rhône-Alpes region, is dominated by the two rivers that come together: The Saône and the Rhône. Some Lyonnais will say that there’s a third river, referring to the wines of the Beaujolais, Lyons ‘backyard’. Because of the Beaujolais, the Cote du Rhone and Cote Roannais, the Lyon region is also internationally recognized and praised for its delicious wines. All in all it’s no wonder that Lyon is often referred to as being the Food capital of the world.
Okay. So Lyon France is synonymous with gastronomy. Lyon is home & home base to some of the world’s best respected chefs, the best restaurants and the best food in all of France. When talking about the cuisine of Lyon, Paul Bocuse cannot be left unmentioned. He’s named Chef of the Century by the Gault-Millau Guide and also by The Culinary Insitute of America. Paul Bocuse has maintained a 3 Star Michelin rating for over 45 years.
Our TIP: Go and visit Paul Bocuse’s Les Halles: it’s awesome. You’ll find 56 shops with some of the best products in all of France. It’s THE place to grab a bite, glass of wine and meet some Lyon locals. In weekends the market is packed. You will find everyone there around 9am at the seafood restaurants enjoying oysters with wine…
Another TIP: ‘Chez Moss’ (Restaurant Fruits de Mer – Spécialités de poisons), a restaurant specializing in fish and fruits de mer, or shellfish. It is one of our very favorite restaurants in Lyon and is seen as one THE fish restaurants of Lyon. We love the oysters, lobster and the seafood served on a boat-shaped platter filled with crushed ice. Chez Moss’ interior maybe a little bit outdated, it has a typical ambiance, with its tiled walls, paintings, table-clothes and the deliberate mixture of benches and chairs.

Chez Moss

Fruits de Mer

Lyon France has 2.6 million inhabitants. The many students make it a young and vibrant city. Paris is a wonderful city, but Paris is Paris. Lyon is France. Here you find the real France. So, next time skip Paris and schedule yourself a trip to Lyon. It has all the romance of Paris, incredibly friendly people and great sights.

Nice and popular bar with terrace

Wining and dining until late in Vieux Lyon

The city of Lyon was founded by the Romans and built over 2,000 years ago. It played a major role in Europe’s political, cultural and economic development ever since. The city is full of many fine historic buildings from all periods. With its narrow cobbled streets medieval churches and magnificent Renaissance buildings, Lyon is also famous for having the oldest Roman theatre in France.
The historic Site of the city is classified UNESCO World Heritage.
The alleyways (in French Traboules) of the Crois Rousse Hill and Vieux-Lyon or are one of the most original aspects of the architecture and identity of Lyon. There’s now even an app for your iPhone to help discover the most beautiful courtyards and alleyways.
And don’t forget to climb the Fourvière Hill to the Basilique de Fourviere. From there you can have the best views of the city.

Basilique de Fourvière in Lyon

River side Le Saône