Paul Bocuse is a name synonymous with French cuisine, fresh ingredients and great quality food. It is a given, therefore, that a place will be expected to have all these qualities should it bear his name. Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse certainly fulfills the criteria perfectly. This post is dedicated to Les Halles, one of the places one must experience when visiting France's culinary capital.
Les Halles de Lyon is more than a market. It is essentially a giant food hall exhibiting and serving up the many hallmarks of French cuisine, and the best that France has to offer the culinary world - all under one roof.
Though prices here are not the cheapest, one can rest assured that only the best-quality food can be found within this convenient hall. You could essentially spend the entire day here; though I had a flight to catch later that day, I only managed 5 hours inside.
Having arrived in the late morning, I began my trip with some breakfast at La boulangerie de l'Ile Barbe, sampling some Viennoiserie.
Of the pastries I tried, memorable ones included a Praline Brioche - a sweet brioche with a pink tinge native to Lyon, and a Pain au Citron - a luscious bread that livened up my senses.
It is worth noting that their Tarte aux Pralines, a Lyonnaise specialty, seemed to be a very popular choice at their bakery - and would definitely be worth trying or packing home, if you have enough stomach for it.
One could then treat oneself to some amuse-bouche at Toqués des Halles, a shop by Chef Philippe Lechat that offers a unique take on 'sweet treats'.
Whether you're keen on some Tartes aux langoustes, or a Glace au foie gras, these savoury renditions of desserts will leave you wanting more. Creativity, quality and finesse with every item displayed.
As mentioned in a previous post, Chez Léon is one of a few restaurants where you could have lunch at. Serving up seafood, you could stop here for a platter of Oysters or Fruits de Mer.
Though relatively pricey, one rest assured that the quality of seafood being sold here is absolutely top notch. Together with some bread, French butter and perhaps a wine of your choice - you can experience satisfaction in culinary simplicity.
And for 'dessert', or some sweet treats to take home, I would highly recommend Sève, which sells some of the best chocolates and and gateaux available.
The macaron craze never caught on me to begin with, but I couldn't help but be intrigued at some of the unique flavours on offer. Think Iberico Ham, Gorgonzola & Sesame, and Olive & Squid Ink flavored macarons!
The stores mentioned are only some of the numerous establishments within Les Halles de Lyon - which you could easily spend the entire day in. One would be a fool not to come here when on a trip to Lyon, no matter how long or short it is. And rest assured - the quality of everything available here remains top notch.
Bon Appétit!
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Cheers,
BrianandRepublic
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