Spend the Day Like a Local in Lyon
- Madeleine
- Apr 30
- 5 min read
A typical day for a Lyonnais local means avoiding the tourist spots at their peak hours, spending time in the beautiful hidden corners of the city, and most importantly, eat lots of great food.
We asked our sommeliers how they would spend a day if they were to show friends or family around for the day. They shared their favorite spots to shop, eat, drink and see.
Feel free to follow their itineraries or mix and match them to make a fun day of your own!
Madeleine's Day
Madeleine loves to sleep in so her morning skips breakfast and goes straight to brunch at Le Desjeuneur, a charming brunch spot in the Croix Rousse neighborhood. She might order the croque truffe but insist someone else gets something sweet for a perfect mix.
Walking shoes are a must, because after a satisfying brunch, she would take her and her friends down one hill and back up another to visit the Roman Theaters. On the way, she would pick up something to eat at any small grocery store because after the theaters, Madeleine and her crew head to the Jardin de Curiosites (the hidden, arguably better view of the city).
After taking in the view and enjoying a little snack, Madeleine would head down towards Bellecour making a stop at Vins Nature to grab a bottle for the evening. This would also be the time she'd take to get any other shopping done around the neighborhood.
As dinnertime arrives, Madeleine would make her way to Jaja Bistro for a creative and local dinner likely featuring a new chef (check the insta to see who they're featuring!)
As the sun begins to set, Madeleine would invite her friends to share the bottle she had bought prior and enjoy it on the steps in front of the Rhone river, with a view of Fourvière to watch the sun set.
Raphaëlle's Day
Raphaëlle’s day would fall on a Sunday with a walk around Place St Louis in the 7th arrondissement for the farmers market to buy fresh strawberries and other seasonal treats that catch her eye.
Coffee on a terrace would be next at Bambane. A cheerful option that will provide great vibes and necessary caffeine to continue the day.
A brunch (or early lunch) at Anahera would follow the coffee. Raphaëlle comes here to enjoy the seasonal menu, and can keep coming back as the menu changes each week. A fresh and local treat!
After lunch, a walk along the riverside would take her and her pals to park Tete d’Or for a visit to the magnificent greenhouses that are free to enter and a great way to spend an afternoon. If time permits, a wander around the lake in the middle of the park or if her and her friends legs are tired, a seat in one of the rentable boats.
In the evening, natural wine & tapas at Turbine to end an adventrous day. Raphaëlle shares many plates with her friends along side a bottle of wine or two to finish the evening.
Margret-Rose's Day
Margret Rose would start her morning early at Fourvière, getting the chance to take in the basilica and the views before the tourists arrive.
A walk or a ride on the funicular is next, taking her and some pals down to the old town or Vieux Lyon and strolling to grab a coffee and cake at Puzzle- a cafe that will make an excellent latte.
After that, it’s across the river they go to go hunt around the gourmet treasures of G. Detou (an excellent alternative to a souvenir store) and peek in Poisson d'Avril to get a treat for her son (a perfectly acceptable store for an adult to grab a game at too).
With teatime arriving, Margaret Rose would make her way to an afternoon tea/light lunch in Le Dome following up with a ballad through the grand halls of the Hotel Dieu. After that its back up the Fourvière hill.
As apero time hits, and if the weather permits, a light beer or spritz would accompany a game of pétanque at FAV in the Saint Just neighborhood.
Dinner would be enjoyed at La Table de St Just to satisfyingly conclude an active day around town and get a taste of the local and seasonal products the region has to offer.
Caroline's Day
Caroline’s morning might start with a coffee at Crema followed by a charming stroll around Croix Rousse and a visit to one of the many open markets around the area.
Snacking on her market treats, she would head down through the beautiful Pents of Croix Rousse and down to the sixth arrondissment to Vignes et Vins. There, Caroline and her friends would enjoy a delicous lunch in the hidden back room of this wine shop.
After lunch, with wine on the mind, the group would find themselves taking the funicular back up to Croix Rousse for a tasting at Lyon Wine Tastings for some learning and sipping of local wines and munching of local charcuterie.
As to avoid another up and down of hills, Caroline would opt for a dinner in the neighborhood, a place like Piedra that offers small plates for sharing with her visiting family or friends.
Ghjulia's Day
Ghjulia would start her day with a Machon (a savory breakfast and a style typical of the Rhone region) at Le Garet. The Machon would likely include some Lyon classics like cervelle de canut or pâté en croûte.
To digest this hearty start to a day, a promenade along les quais (Rhone or Saone) would be the next move as the hunt for a coffee begins.
Coffee and a game of yams or yahtzee at le Voxx would be the likely stop for Ghjulia who notes she is team cheap coffee, with a cigarette of course... (this is as authentic French you can get).
After a relaxing moment on the terrace, Ghjulia would walk with her friends to Les Adrets, a niche spot, but one of her favorite bouchon of all times. Featuring kitsch interior and the cooking is just chefs kiss.
A wander through the romanic Vieux Lyon would be the next activity to work up some thirsty, as apero arrives. Then, apero at Soif! for a glass of wine and maybe a turn on an arcade game before a grand finale of dinner.
Diner so many options but Ghjulia would have to give it to Leptine, ideally with a group involving a few people as everyone will want to try everything on the menu.
Now it's your turn to live like a Lyon Local !
Use this little guide to help you plan your next day in Lyon. Mix and match what sounds fun to you and use the links in the guide to help you book/find your next spot.
Have fun and please, tell us how it goes!
Want more?
For a more indepth guide to Lyon and all it has to offer, check out our guide here!
Comments