Day Trip to Lyon
Lloyd: I haven't been to that market in years. Thank you for reminding me. If you know far enough in advance that you're heading south, you could buy a PREMS ticket and disembark at Lyon. It's not quite "correct" but no one will ever know (as long as the train stops at Lyon)! What are you other favorite day trips?
We went o Lyon a few years ago via the TGV in early December. It was interesting as they had a huge Christmas market going on at the time just outside of the railway station. The restaurants in the old section were also very good. Although the day trip was a bit pricey, it was neat to travel to Lyon and back in one day and be back in Paris in time for dinner.
The more I think about Lyon, the more fondly I remember our meal at Troisgros which is outside of the city by quite a few miles. It may not be sightseeing but the meal is certainly a cultural exploration of gastronomic cuisine at its best.
Might be worth training to Lyon and renting a car there! But, a taxi would be better. You wouldn't need a dedicated driver.
Might be worth training to Lyon and renting a car there! But, a taxi would be better. You wouldn't need a dedicated driver.
How interesting, Mimi. Thanks so much for the excellent description. I never knew they existed.
The French word "bouchon" describes a particular style of cafe that has existed in the province of Lyon for centuries. It's where the working man went to eat.
There are many stories about the origin of the word bouchon. It may come from the old French bousche, which was the word for a bottle stopper made of hay, straw or leaves. Taverns in Lyon would hang a bousche outside their doors to indicate they served food and wine. Another story, explains that small restaurants sprang up in Lyon to serve the large number of travelers that passed through the city, which has always been a busy trading city. An assistant (commis) of the restaurant would "bouchonner" - rub down- the horses with a brush made from a handful of straw. And yet another explanation dates from a more recent time. Most of the restaurants are located in narrow passages in the older part of the city. These passages would become so busy with people trying to get seated for lunch that they would become'se boucher' or blocked.
Whatever the origin of the word, these "Authentiques Bouchons Lyonnais" have become an important and cherised part of the patrimonie of Lyon. They formed an association in 1997 called L'Association de Défense des Bouchons Lyonnais in order to protect the name. Any restaurant that displays the Authentique Bouchon symbol must meet stringent requirements including serving vins en pots (about 2 cups of wine per 'pot'), serve traditional dishes such as tablier de sapeur, a special tripe dish, cervelle de canut and others, and they must offer wines from Beajolais and Macônnais. Currently there are 21 authentic bouchons registered in Lyon.
There are many stories about the origin of the word bouchon. It may come from the old French bousche, which was the word for a bottle stopper made of hay, straw or leaves. Taverns in Lyon would hang a bousche outside their doors to indicate they served food and wine. Another story, explains that small restaurants sprang up in Lyon to serve the large number of travelers that passed through the city, which has always been a busy trading city. An assistant (commis) of the restaurant would "bouchonner" - rub down- the horses with a brush made from a handful of straw. And yet another explanation dates from a more recent time. Most of the restaurants are located in narrow passages in the older part of the city. These passages would become so busy with people trying to get seated for lunch that they would become'se boucher' or blocked.
Whatever the origin of the word, these "Authentiques Bouchons Lyonnais" have become an important and cherised part of the patrimonie of Lyon. They formed an association in 1997 called L'Association de Défense des Bouchons Lyonnais in order to protect the name. Any restaurant that displays the Authentique Bouchon symbol must meet stringent requirements including serving vins en pots (about 2 cups of wine per 'pot'), serve traditional dishes such as tablier de sapeur, a special tripe dish, cervelle de canut and others, and they must offer wines from Beajolais and Macônnais. Currently there are 21 authentic bouchons registered in Lyon.
QUOTE(cigalechanta @ Apr 23 2006, 04:24 PM) 
We're thinking of taking the train from Avignon in august for a day in Lyon and dining at a bouchon. Anyone's favorite? Leon de Lyon the best?
What is a bouchon, s'il vous plait? Isn't it the French word for cork?
The silk museum is at the top of my list...if ever we get to Lyon, that is.
QUOTE
ruins. As I remember, there are several nice restaurants around there. Since Lyon was the center of the old silk and weaving industry, perhaps some sort of guided tour of that part would be fun,
The have a special textile museum in Lyon which could satisfy one's interest. It's located in the southern part of the main island that forms the citycenter.
We're thinking of taking the train from Avignon in august for a day in Lyon and dining at a bouchon. Anyone's favorite? Leon de Lyon the best?
correction: Leon de Lyon is not a bouchon. It's a R&C
correction: Leon de Lyon is not a bouchon. It's a R&C
Karen, I am not that much of an expert on Lyon, but I have taken the TGV several times. The first thing is to check the times for the earliest departure from Paris and latest return. Then plan the trip around that.
Since one is probably shopped out from Paris, then assume that you are there for the food and tourist things. I personally like to museum centered around the old Roman ruins. As I remember, there are several nice restaurants around there. Since Lyon was the center of the old silk and weaving industry, perhaps some sort of guided tour of that part would be fun, if that is what you are in to. Being the center of the banking industry is probably not something that most people get excited about.
Joe
Since one is probably shopped out from Paris, then assume that you are there for the food and tourist things. I personally like to museum centered around the old Roman ruins. As I remember, there are several nice restaurants around there. Since Lyon was the center of the old silk and weaving industry, perhaps some sort of guided tour of that part would be fun, if that is what you are in to. Being the center of the banking industry is probably not something that most people get excited about.
Joe
I am trying to plan one for a friend. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know the city that well. Where would you go? Where would you eat? And what would you do?
I've suggested she go by train (TGV). It's so much easier than driving.
I've suggested she go by train (TGV). It's so much easier than driving.