Les Halles de Lyon - Paul Bocuse
A snapshot of the Lyonnais lifestyle
A trip to Lyon is just not complete without visiting the famous indoor market, named after the greatest of French chefs, Paul Bocuse. The Halles Centrales de Lyon has a place in the heart of all Lyonnais and all lovers of fine food too. Initially installed at the heart of the city, the indoor market was moved in the 1970s to a light building in the Part-Dieu district. It is an absolute must for anyone wishing to tickle their taste buds in the capital of gastronomy. In fact with 13,500m² surface area spread over 3 floors and no less than 48 different firms, Les Halles are a gourmet village at the heart of the « Capital of the Gauls ». Emblematic and eclectic, the temple of ‘la bonne cuisine lyonnaise’ is more suitable for couples than families with its brasseries, stands and stalls.
Speciality foods from Lyon
As you go into the Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse, you really feel you are entering the ‘holy of holies’ where gastronomy is concerned. It harbours the excellence and flavours of the gourmet soul of Lyon in a relaxed, chic atmosphere. It would be difficult to find its equivalent elsewhere in France. The Halles champions a certain idea of Cuisine Lyonnaise which can be found at the counter of one of the Bouchons Lyonnais like Maison Rousseau. Gourmets can follow their noses to Mère Richard, a veritable institution specialised in maturing Saint-Marcellin cheese. As well as exceptional local charcuterie, quenelles and ‘brioches pralinées’, the Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse is also renowned for the quality of its seafood. Connoisseurs prefer to eat it early in the morning to make the most of the freshness of the products. There’s nothing like a basket of oysters washed down with a very cold Aligoté to start the day !
A stone’s throw from upmarket Lyon
Once you have had your fill of delicious goodies and finished shopping in this gigantic larder, take your time to wander across the Rhône to the Bellecour - Hôtel Dieu district. On arrival at the Place Bellecour, you are met by a succession of Romantic-style buildings in the middle of which stands a statue of Louis XIV surrounded by allegories of the Rhône and the Saône. Take a moment to go to numbers 29 and 30 to contemplate the lion statues.
Other places in the neighbourhood include the Place des Jacobins, the Théâtre de Lyon and the Bourse de Lyon. It must be said that the 2nd arrondissement of the city is renowned for its wealth and chic shopping streets are a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Make the most of being in the area to visit the nearby Basilica of Saint-Martin d’Ainay, one of the city’s heritage gems."
