Arty city breaks
Lyon
“Vieux Lyon’s cobbled streets feel a bit like Diagon Alley”
Long considered a gastronomic hotspot thanks to legendary chef Paul Bocuse, its atmospheric ‘bouchon’ bistros and Michelin stars, this elegant city at the edge of the Alps is now home to a bold new culinary destination, Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie (citegastronomielyon.fr). Opened last October, this is a state-of-the-art cultural centre that celebrates all things food. Inside, you’ll find dozens of exciting, interactive exhibits and a tasting kitchen, all of which employ inventive ways to tell the story of Lyon, French gastronomy and food culture around the world.
Set on the banks of the Rhône, close to where it converges with the Saône just south of central Lyon, the Cité is set in a wing of the Grand Hôtel-Dieu, a former hospital. Once the gateway to the city, it’s a palatial edifice that features cloisters, courtyards and bell towers, and is home to restaurants, shops, a food hall and a 144-room hotel.
