|
Dining in Europe > Lyon France is undoubtedly one of the most gastronomical countries in the world, if not the most. And among the worlds major culinary capitals, Lyon is certainly one of the most important. After all, who has not heard of beaujolais or of Lyons famous quenelles? Thanks to its geographical position, Lyon has served as a meeting point for many different culinary influences over the years. It happily benefits from a lush nearby vineyard, which provides a welcome addition to every course ordered in a restaurant. Côtes du Rhône and Beaujolais wines are thus a permanent feature of the Lyon restaurant table. It is not for nothing that Lyon is called the city of three rivers: theRhône, the Saône and the Beaujolais! Even if the citys restaurants give local specialities more than their fair share of attention, particularly when it comes to poultry and cooked meats, the fact that Lyon is a large regional capital means it can offer a wide selection of exotic restaurants, reflecting the diversity of contemporary France. As for cafés and bistros, Lyon boasts numerous establishments from the simple, traditional bistro to the super-modern bar. It should be added that France and particularly the Lyon region have the highest rate of cafés per head in the whole of Europe! But let us begin our tour with the most eminent of Lyons restaurants. The most famous restaurants One can hardly speak of Lyon without mentioning the celebrated Paul Bocuse restaurant. Although it is not centrally located it is well worth the trek. This restaurant, famous the world over, is in a league of its own, and the food is truly exquisite. Beware of the prices, though: they reflect the standing of the restaurant. The Tour Rose in Old Lyon is to be found on the ground floor of the prestigious hotel bearing the same name. Many celebrities stay here when they come to Lyon. The cuisine is modern and of a standard that places it beyond criticism, and is served in a superb setting. Meanwhile, the Pierre Orsi is establishing a growing reputation and deserves the attention of all refined epicureans. They will not be disappointed: the place is perfect. The bouchons A gastronomical tour of Lyon would not be complete without the famous bouchons or plugs. These are generally small restaurants where you can have a plate of meat from ten o'clock onwards, or a saint-marcellin cheese with a glass of beaujolais. These cosy establishments are an essential part of traditional Lyon gastronomy and you can find them all over the city. La Mère Cottivet and Chez Mounier are among those that cultivate the tradition and simple values which excite all fans of Lyon life. Foreign countries For those with a taste for exoticism and foreign travel, the range of non-French restaurants is vast and rather depends on your preferred destination. One thing is guaranteed, though; you will be bewildered by the choice. We cannot of course list all the possibilities here, but let us at least mention some that offer unusual cuisine in a particularly interesting setting. The Samba atmosphere of O'Brasil will whisk you away for an evening of lilting rhythms, while Confort Impérial will tempt you with Chinese dishes. A must for Americana-lovers is Coffee Shop, whose décor is inspired by the great Western plains. Buddy Burd will take you just a stretch further towards the Mexican sun. Meanwhile, Mamounia evokes the tang of Marrakesh with its superb décor and delicious couscous. The brasseries The brasseries of Lyon are also worth a look for their typical menus and their often striking settings. In fact, many date back to the beginning of the 20th century and the Art Nouveau decoration can be opulent and highly impressive. A case in point is the venerable Brasserie Georges, worth a visit for its decoration alone (the ceilings are splendid.) The Brasserie Francotte has all the attractions of a cosy and comfortable brasserie. As you can see, Lyon is the ideal place to discover local and international cuisine. But the city also brims with little bistros and cafés spilling over onto attractive terraces. The most famous is the Grand Café des Négociants; its imposing and formal ambience is ideal for a tea on the terrace. But you could also try the Café de Betty, with its programme of arts events, or sample the mega-modern cyber world of the Connectik Café. Entertainment in LyonART AND CULTURE Lyon is one of the most famous cities in France for its artistic and cultural activity. Once the capital of Gaul, it is a blend of old and modern. You can visit the renowned old parts of Lyon, enjoy the citys numerous artistic and cultural museums and librairies, and take in the great variety of educational attractions on offer. Museums There are many of these, and all are worth a visit. The best known and most popular are the Musée gallo-romain, which explains the history of ancient Gaul under the Roman Empire in depth, the Museum d'histoire naturelle, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, whose name is well known worldwide, the Institut Lumière, which focuses on the Lumière brothers and their great invention and finally the Musée des Miniatures, which gives you a chance to be on top of the world, as it is reproduced in miniature. These are just a few of Lyons interesting museums. Cinema There are many movie theaters in Lyon so you'll easily find what you're looking for, be it recent films, old classics or even small, low budget movies. The most popular movie theaters in Lyon, both for their quality and reasonable prices are the UGC Part-Dieu, the Pathé and the new Ciné Cité. These cinemas show mainly new releases. As for lesser known small-budget movies, and old classics, these can be found in the local cinemas, like the Melies, le cinéma Opéra, the Fourmi and the Zola, as well as the Astoria and the Comédia, which show both big- and small-budget films. And of course don't forget the undeniable Institut Lumière. Dance & Theatre There are many theaters and dance halls in Lyon, most of which are well-frequented. The best-known are the Théâtre des Jeunes Années, the TNP, the Maison de la Danse, the Théâtre des Célestins, the salle Molière and the Théâtre de la Croix-Rousse. This is a good place both to spot new talent and admire more established names, as many well-known troupes often visit. MUSIC Classical Jazz-blues Rock House, Dance, Techno NIGHTCLUBS AND SHOWS Lyon by night isn't Paris, and many believe that it is even less "active" than it should be, given its size. Still, there are many places to go to and have fun, or throw large parties. The best-known places are the Fish, a modern nightclub that is very popular with the younger generation, and the Xyphos Complex, also known as the Titan discothèque, in the mountains around Lyon. The Moulin Rouge, Space and the Duplex are also good for nocturnal adventurers. The friendliest places in Lyon are the late-night and music bars. Try Eden Rock, or the République. The atmosphere here is young and energetic. Of course there are also places for intense partying or drinking. The rue Sainte Catherine is THE place to go if you want a big night out with friends : mythic but not always the most pleasant. Bars follow each other all along the street, creating an incredibly buzzing vibe. Going from the Abreuvoir to the Shamrock, from the Cosmopolitan to the Ayers Rock, your evening will be intense, full of dancing and exhausting. You're sure to enjoy yourself! Another option is to go to one of the bars where you can chat in front of a play, as is the case in the Mi-Graine or the Marquise. One last place you can't afford to miss: the Saône riverside: quite varied bars and pubs follow each other from Saint-Jean to Vaise. The best-known are the Central Paul, the Hot Road and the 42. AREAS Saint-Jean is Lyons best-known district. Its architecture and cathédrale are quite impressive, and the restaurants are very nice. The paved streets lead you to old Lyon, where cars are quite rare, since they are not allowed, and locals and tourists enjoy the "Traboules" (passages which go through courtyards and link the streets ' particular to Lyon) and old buildings. The place des Terreaux, situated in the heart of the city, is also quite popular. Always full of crowds, there are many shops in this area: theres a bar on every corner, and a large, straight avenue links the Hôtel de Ville and the Place Bellecour, a magnet for beautiful women. The Part-Dieu area is quite popular, thanks to its well-known shopping center. You can find anything you want here, despite the intense heat and overwhelming crowds. The sixth arrondissement is the rich quarter of Lyon, attracting lovers of art and luxury. Its quiet and peaceful. The Gerland area is known mainly for its stadium, which belongs to the Olympique Lyonnais. The Laurent Bonnevay quarter is that of the Astroballe, the stadium of the famous basketball team ASVEL Basket. SPORTS AND AMUSEMENT PARKS Lyon has something for most sports lovers with the Gerland stadium for the Olympique Lyonnais and the Astroballe for ASVEL Basket. It also has many stadiums, gymnasiums and sports cafes, notably the Victoire. As for amusement parks, the Luna Parc is well known and quite popular. Dining in Europe > Lyon
|