Did you know why Lyon is considered to be the "capital of French gastronomy"?
Lyon is located at a crossroads between exceptional terroirs.
Lyon's chefs are spoilt with a choice of the best French produce, such as Charolais beef, Bresse chicken, fish from the lakes of Dombes and the rivers and lakes of the French Alps, cheese from Auvergne, Jura and Ardèche, wine from Bourgogne, Beaujolais and Côtes du Rhône, and fruit and vegetables from the Rhône Valley.
To discover the best regional produce, make your way to Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, , a real temple of gastronomy where Lyon's chefs buy their ingredients! Take a stroll along the lively stalls, meet a few colourful characters, such as the Mères Richard and Sibilia, and take a break to enjoy some delicious cheeses, cooked meats or tarte à la praline.
Lyon has always been the place to enjoy good food!
In the 16th century, thanks to Catherine de Médicis, Lyon's cuisine began its ascent with the arrival of Florentine chefs who recognised the diversity and quality of the local agricultural produce.
In the 19th century, the Mères Lyonnaises (female chefs), who had previously offered only family cooking, began to expand their horizons and opened their own restaurants, giving birth to culinary traditions that remain intact to this day. They inspired a succession of major chefs, including Lyon's most famous chef, Paul Bocuse, who learnt his trade with Mère Brazier,the first woman to win three stars twice in the Michelin Guide in 1933.
Lyon, the city of 2000 restaurants
Lyon has one of the highest numbers of restaurants per inhabitant in France!
There's no shortage of great culinary establishments in this centre of gastronomic experimentation and innovation. From Lyon's traditional Bouchons to the fifteen or so famous Michelin-starred restaurants, century-old brasseries and international cuisine, there's something for all tastes and budgets!
Lyon, the perfect destination for a charming weekend break.
If you're looking for more than just gastronomy, discover all the other great reasons for visiting Lyon!
Lyon is France's second largest city, but remains highly accessible to visitors, who are offered a chance to travel back through time and appreciate France's inimitable art de vivre.
2000 years of history listed UNESCO World Heritage
With two millennia of history, Lyon has a remarkable cultural heritage. By expanding eastward without destroying existing sites, Lyon has enabled 500 hectares of city centre to be preserved and listed as UNESCO World Heritage in 1998. Taking a stroll through Lyon means taking a trip back in time: from Fourvière's ancient sites to the traboules (narrow passageways through buildings that link up streets) in Renaissance Old Lyon, the steep and narrow streets of Croix-Rousse hill and the Empire-style buildings with their huge windows designed to accommodate the canuts' silk-weaving looms.
Rich cultural life with some exceptional museums
There are many museums in Lyon, some of which are unique in the world, such as the Lumière Museum (where the cinematograph was invented in 1895 by the Lumières Brothers), the Textile Museum (which looks back over 2000 years of the history of textiles) and the Gadagne Museums, with the Puppets of the World Museum and the Lyon History Museum.
Numerous events throughout the year, such as the Biennial Contemporary Art and Dance Festivals, the Grand Lyon Film Festival, Les Nuits Sonores (electronic music festival) and Nuits de Fourvière (eclectic festival held in the Gallo-Roman Theatres).
A city of light, throughout the year and particularly during the Fête des Lumières, which runs for four brilliant nights! No fewer than 80 light installations, created by artists from around the world, can be discovered in Lyon during the festival. Put in your diary – the 5th to the 8th December 2014!
