I spent the following two days in Lyon visiting my old haunts and finding new places to love in this city. The weather was beautiful. Seventy degrees and sunny with a few stray clouds. It seems like I got super lucky. According to my friend Cyril, this was the first week that resembled anything like summer. Previously, the city had been plagued by rain and a chill remained in the air. But the three days I was in Lyon, the sun was shining and the skies were clear.
I will not bore you with a step by step account of my stay in Lyon. Instead, I will share my favorite things I did during my stay.
- A Beer on the Rhone
If you come to Lyon (and most of France), many restaurants will close between lunch and dinner. However, this means, that it is time for apero. Basically, this is happy hour time. Many places will serve beer, wine, and cocktails. My friend Cyril and I were walking along the banks of the river Rhone in Lyon. This time of year, boats line the riverbank which serve as floating bars. Some play loud music, others are chill, but they all offer the opportunity to have a drink onboard. This was one of my new discoveries and it quickly turned into a cherished memory.
Travel Tip: if you are looking for a more traditional option than just beer or wine, my suggestion is a kir. This is a cocktail made from white wine and cassis liquor. Very typical of Burgundy and very popular in Lyon.
2. Gastronomy in the City Center
Lyon is the city of food and wine. Lots of places to enjoy a great meal. My favorite place to grab a dinner you will always remember is in the city center. There is a cobble stone street called Rue Merciere. Here, restaurants and bars abound. One great place after another. French, traditional Lyonais, Italian, seafood, even American. During this trip, Cyril and I chose one called Les Garcons. It was traditional French. And it was AMAZING! I had a beautiful leg of lamb which I paired with a fruity glass of Brouilly.
Travel Tip: Traditional eateries in Lyon are called Bouchons. They serve traditional Lyonais specialties. You can find delicious bouchons in both the city center and especially in Vieux Lyon.
3. A Bike Ride Along Parc de la tete d’or
Lyon is very bike friendly. In fact, you can rent bikes almost everywhere. If you have a credit card, simply find one of the many bike racks with the orange bikes. You can rent them by the hour. My favorite place to go for a bike ride, is in the Parc de la Tete d’Or. This park is huge! Acres and acres of grass, gardens, ponds, pathways, and even a free zoo. It’s the perfect place to pack a picnic and spend hours people watching and enjoying the nice weather. And of course… renting a bike so you can ride along the park.
4. Getting Lost along the Saone
Two major rivers cross Lyon, the Rhone and the Saone. Eventually they will confluence in the south. Both rivers are great places to take a stroll. However, I prefer to walk along the Saone. From the banks of the Saone you can see Fouviere hill and pass the hill of the Croix Rousse. I especially love to walk away from the Saone and into Vieux Lyon where getting lost in the old, medieval streets is a treat.
5. Shopping!
Besides food, wine, and medieval streets, the other thing that attracts me to Lyon is the shopping!!! I always dedicate a day (or at least an entire afternoon) to shopping. Clothes, home goods, candles, books and chocolates… there are so many special things to buy. My favorite place to shop is Rue de la Republique and Rue du President Edouard Herriot. Both streets are located in the city center. Rue de la Republique features popular stores like Printemps, Mango, Fnac, Etam, and Naf Naf. Rue du President Edouard Herriot features high fashion stores like Louis Vitton, Rolex, Hermes, Longchamp and more. Even window shopping alone can be satisfying. My latest find… Diptyque. A candle store that originated in Paris. They offer candles, fragrances and more. But man! I’m not into candles, but these things are incredible. If you love candles, you need to shop here. According to the shop attendant, they have stores in the US in cities like New York, Miami and Chicago.
