French cuisine, bouchons & old town
Lyon
Lyon · Gastronomy & Renaissance streets
France's gastronomic capital sits where two rivers meet, its Renaissance old town threaded with hidden traboule passageways. Lyon lives for the table — from humble bouchon taverns to Michelin temples — under the watch of the hilltop Fourvière basilica.
Top sightsSights
Vieux Lyon
One of Europe’s largest Renaissance quarters, with secret traboule passages.
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière
An ornate hilltop basilica with a panorama over the city and Alps.
Presqu’île
The elegant peninsula of grand squares, shops and museums between the rivers.
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
The famous covered food market named for the legendary chef.
Parc de la Tête d’Or
A vast city park with a lake, botanical garden and free zoo.
What to eatFood
Quenelle
A light poached dumpling, often pike, in creamy sauce.
Salade lyonnaise
Frisée with bacon, croutons and a poached egg.
Praline tart
A bright-pink sugared-almond tart, a Lyon sweet.
Good to know
- Eat at a traditional "bouchon" for hearty local cooking.
- The funicular climbs to Fourvière and Roman ruins.
- Lyon’s Festival of Lights in December is spectacular — book early.
Getting there
Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) serves Europe; the TGV reaches Paris in two hours and Marseille south.
Next city
Marseille