A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and Lyon singing in the wilderness.

March 19, 2009 8:21 AM

I'm going to Lyon this weekend and will be free from late Saturday evening to about noon on Sunday. I'm into food and photography but am on a super-tight budget, so I'm looking for both some cheap, tasty delights and some particularly pretty little corners of the city. I'm staying in Vieux Lyon, going to a concert in Villeurbanne, and can speak French.
posted by mdonley to travel & transportation (4 answers total)

For Sunday morning:
The Parc de la Tête d'Or is in the north of the city and is lovely, especially with the gorgeous weather we've been having lately. Take a look at the zoo inside (free!).
If you want to walk some more, I recommend going south down the Berges du Rhônes, then heading west across one of the bridges and exploring either Vieux Lyon or Croix-Rousse. Both are nice old neighbourhoods with "traboules", which are little passages in between buildings, and fun to explore.
To go up to Croix-Rousse, take the C line from Hotel de Ville. Or hike up the hill. There's a nice view of the city at the top.

For eating:
I don't know what you consider to be cheap, but I had a excellent meal at the Contre-tête last night. Definitely worth spending a little money for a terrine de foie gras.

Oh, and just in case the weather turns bad, the "Printemps du cinéma" starts Sunday. You buy a movie ticket for 3.50 and can see at least 3 movies with it. The Comeodia on rue Berthelot has a fair selection of movies, all undubbed.
posted by snoogles at 9:28 AM on March 19, 2009

For cheap eats and gastrotourism on Sunday morning, you could visit Les Halles de Lyon, in the 3rd arrondissement (east of the Rhône). If you're leaving from Part-Dieu (the main train station), it's particularly well situated. Shops are open Sunday mornings. You could go there before or after visiting the Parc de la Tête d'or.
posted by brianogilvie at 10:54 AM on March 19, 2009

For dinner: consider L'Entrecote. Their famous entrecote costs € 17, including a lettuce/walnut salad with mustard vinaigrette as a starter and pommes frites with the main dish, service included (14,35%).
posted by iviken at 11:14 AM on March 19, 2009

You could climb the hill to Fourviere (the basilica). It's a steep walk but has a great view. The market along Quai de Berges (?I think) goes from early Sunday til about noon, and has some delicious food.
posted by jacalata at 9:04 PM on March 19, 2009