It is widely believed that cities that sit at the confluence of two rivers are the most prosperous in terms of culture, trade, food, and people. Lyon, the capital city of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is definitely such a culturally rich city. It is a city steeped in history because of its strategic location at the junction of the Rhône and Saône rivers. From the medieval architecture of Vieux (old) Lyon, gothic style cathedrals and hilltop basilicas to 17th-century convents-cum-museums and the modern districts of the city, Lyon is an unmissable stop on a trip to France. As in every other city and town in France, Lyon’s ancient squares are home to many delightful little cafés and shops, which are not just stops for coffee and a bite, but also a perfect opportunity to take home some Lyonnais souvenirs like sausages, pink pralines, and traditional Lyonnais sweets. Accommodations, such as homey Airbnb vacation rentals, are available in Lyon as well. Not to be missed are Lyon’s other offerings like kitchen textiles, silk and Guignol puppets. Read on to find out what to buy in Lyon, France.
1. Traditional Lyonnais cheese
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Lyon’s famous ‘bouchon’ restaurants serve traditional Lyonnais cuisine, at the heart of which are traditional Lyonnais cheeses. Lyon’s proximity to the Dauphiné region, which produces a lot of famous French cheeses, makes it the ideal spot to sample and pick up some of these delectable cheeses. Saint-Felicien and Saint Marcelin are unarguably the most popular cow’s milk cheeses here. Tomme du Beaujolais, Fourme de Montbrison, Galette Lyonnais and Bresse Bleu are worth a try too. As for goats’ milk cheese, the most famous one is Rigotte de Condrieu. A must-try cheese specialty of Lyon is the Cervelle de Canut, made with fresh cheese, herbs, olive oil, shallots, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
Address: 102 Cours Lafayette 69003, Lyon, France
Opening hours: 7:00am - 8:00pm
Price: from USD 5.00
2. French wines
French food and French wines go hand-in-hand. Lyon has been a wine-producing region for many centuries and as such, it is quite easy to come across some great local wines in the many restaurants, markets and wine shops in Lyon. Try the famous red wines like Beaujolais, Vallée du Rhône or Coteaux-du-Lyonnais. The Côtes-du-Rhône Septentrionales, which comes in red, rose, sparkling and white, will surely delight a wine connoisseur. Some appellations of this wine can even be stored for 40 years or more! A bottle or two of good local French wine from Lyon will surely make a great gift for your friends and family.
Antic Wine
Address: 18 Rue du Bœuf, 69005 Lyon, France
Opening hours: 10:00am – 1:30pm, 3:30pm – 8:00pm; Monday closed.
Price: from USD 10.00
3. Lyonnais sausages
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Another specialty of Lyonnais cuisine is their pork sausages. Rosette de Lyon, the most famous of Lyon’s sausages, is a cured dry pork sausage cut very thin and served as a delicious appetizer or as a great sandwich topping in a fresh baguette. Jésus de Lyon is another popular Lyonnais sausage. Most Bouchon restaurants in Lyon serve these famous sausages and it is highly recommended to try the Cochonaille, referring to the many types of ham, especially cured ham, which is much appreciated in Lyon. As a souvenir from Lyon, do try to take home a package of these popular Lyonnais sausages.
Charcuterie Bonnard
Address: 36 Rue Grenette, 69002 Lyon, France
Opening hours: 8:30am - 1:30pm; 3:30pm - 7:30pm; Sunday and Monday closed
Price: from USD 33.00 per kilo (per 2 lbs)
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4. Pink pralines
These bright pink colored pralines are hard sweets made of almonds and cooked sugar with pink food coloring added in. Yummy eats by themselves, the pink pralines also form the base of many Lyonnais cakes and desserts, especially the Tarte aux pralines and brioche aux pralines. Available in dainty little packs, these pink pralines would make a great Lyonnais present for your friends and family.
Boulangerie du Palais
Address: 8 Rue du Palais de Justice, 69005 Lyon, France
Opening hours: 7:00am - 8:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday closed
Price: from USD 2.50
5. Lyonnais traditional sweets
Lyonnais traditional sweets are some of the most unique gifts that you can buy in Lyon. Some of these sweets, like the Coussin de Lyon, Quenelle de Lyon, and Sarment du Beaujolais can only be found in Lyon. The most popular Lyonnais traditional sweet – the Coussin de Lyon – is made with chocolate, marzipan and curacao liqueur, in the shape of a pillow, which is why it is called coussin (pillow in French).
Chocolats Voisin
Address: 28 Rue de la République, 69002 Lyon, France
Opening hours: 9:00am - 7:30pm; Sunday closed
Price: from USD 15.00
6. Kitchen textiles
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Lyon is not just known for its gastronomy and cuisine, but it has a flourishing textile industry too. As such, Lyon offers some quality table linens, like tea towels, table napkins, hand towels, table runners, etc. These high-quality textiles come in beautiful traditional Lyonnais designs and last a long time. Do pick up a few of these kitchen textiles to add a French touch to your kitchen.
Linvosges
Address: 78 rue Président Herriot 69002 Lyon
Opening hours: 10:00am - 7:00pm; Sunday closed
Price: from USD 8.00
7. Guignol puppet
Invented by a dentist to distract his patients while working on their teeth, this Guignol puppet is another specialty item that you can buy in Lyon. The Guignol wooden puppet is an integral part of the rich cultural history of Lyon and the Lyonnais theatre. The puppet comes in many characters and makes an ideal gift for children and adults alike.
Disagn - Boutique Cardelli - Souvenirs du Vieux Lyon
Address: 6 Rue Saint Jean 69005 Lyon France
Opening hours: 10:30am - 1:00pm; 2:00pm - 7:00pm
Price: from USD 16.00
8. Ninkasi beer
Opened in 1997, the Ninkasi brewery produces local artisanal beer in different colors, aromas, and flavors, which has won several national and international awards. It is made from all-natural ingredients and available at several cafes and bars in Lyon. Pick up a bottle or two of this beer with the classic Ninkasi goddess logo on it and share a taste of Lyon with your friends at home!
Ninkasi Sans Souci
Address: 26 Cours Albert Thomas, 69008 Lyon, France
Opening hours: 9:00am - 12:00am
Price: from USD 3.00
9. Silk from Lyon
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The silk industry was the main activity in Lyon for many centuries. The wealth of the city is said to be built on silk trade. The Croix-Rousse area of Lyon was home to the silk workers (canuts) until the 19th century and it is still the place where you can pick up some fine silk in Lyon. In Vieux (old) Lyon, you can even visit some silk craftsmen’s workshops and buy their locally made silk weaves. Indulge yourself by buying a luxurious hand-printed silk scarf, dress or textile from the many local boutiques in Lyon.
Silk Saint Georges
Address: 11 Rue Mourguet, 69005 Lyon, France
Opening hours: 10:00am - 7:00pm; Sunday closed
Price: from USD 50.00
10. Lyonnais cookbook
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Lyon’s 2000-year-old history is reflected in its famous gastronomical and traditional ‘bouchon’ restaurants. As such, a Lyonnais cookbook would be a nice souvenir to take home and try your hand at some of Lyon’s famous dishes. And the best part is that it does not take up too much space in your luggage!
In Cuisine
Address: 1 Place Bellecour 69002 Lyon
Opening hours: 10:00am - 12:00pm; 2:00pm - 7:00pm; Sunday closed
Price: from USD 4.00
A shopper's paradise in Lyon, France
Shopping – whether for food, silk or souvenirs – is an unmissable part of Lyon’s experience. With its famed bouchons, cafes, patisseries, markets and local boutiques, Lyon has no dearth of shopping options. So grab your shopping bag and bring home some Lyonnais goodies!
Pop in some of the Indian restaurants for a delicious break from sightseeing.
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