Livability scores

• Walkability 17 / 20
• Rail Connectivity 14 / 15
• Public Transit 9 / 10
• Affordability 9 / 15
• Safety 7 / 10
• Air Quality 6 / 10
• Quality Of Life 8 / 10
• Food Culture 5 / 5
• Car Free Practicality 8 / 5

Food guide

Lyon is widely recognized as France's gastronomic capital, with a food identity built around bouchons, market cooking, and hearty regional specialties. Its cuisine blends silk-worker traditions, nose-to-tail cooking, and produce-led bistro culture, making it especially rewarding for travelers who want classic French food without Parisian formality.

Signature dishes

• Quenelle de brochetLight pike dumpling, often baked and served with crayfish-based sauce Nantua.
• Salade lyonnaiseFrisée salad with lardons, croutons, and a poached egg.
• AndouilletteRustic tripe sausage seasoned with wine, onions, and spices.
• Gâteau de foie de volailleSavory chicken-liver flan or cake with a soft, soufflé-like texture.
• Gratin dauphinoisSlow-baked potatoes with milk and/or cream, garlic, and seasoning.
• Cervelle de canutHerbed fromage blanc spread traditionally eaten with bread or potatoes.
• Praline tartSweet tart filled with pink praline cream, a Lyon dessert classic.

Where to eat

• Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse food hallThe city’s most famous gourmet market hall, with many specialty stalls and sit-down counters.
• Le Garet bouchonClassic Lyonnais cooking in a traditional, old-school bouchon setting.
• Daniel et Denise bouchonOne of Lyon’s best-known addresses for hearty local dishes and a reliable traditional menu.
• Brasserie Georges brasserieA historic grand brasserie known for classic French fare and a lively dining room.
• Le Mercière bouchonPopular with visitors for a central location and a recognizable Lyonnais menu.
• Le Bouchon des Filles bouchonA modern, welcoming take on the bouchon tradition with a strong local reputation.

Markets & food shopping

• Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
• Marché Saint-Antoine Célestins
• Marché de la Croix-Rousse
• Marché de Monplaisir