Shopping Overview

Lyon has the region's best shopping. It's still the nation's silk-and-textiles capital, and all big-name designers have shops here. For chic clothing, try the stores on rue du Président Édouard-Herriot and rue de la République in the center of town.

If you love markets, you'll love Lyon. Food markets are held Tuesday through Sunday on boulevard de la Croix-Rousse (4e), at Les Halles on cours Lafayette (3e), on quai Victor Augagneur (3e), and on quai St-Antoine (2e). There are also Artists' and Crafts Markets on Sunday mornings, as well as a secondhand books market on the weekend.

For arts and crafts, there are several places where you can find irresistible objects-such as Lyonnais puppets (which you can get on place du Change). Rue Auguste-Comte from place Bellecour to Perrache is a good place to shop for antiques.

In the small town of Romans, 15 minutes east of Valence via D532, are a score of retail outlets for designer shoes. Romans, with its tradition of leather making, has become the major factory center for the production of high-quality shoes. Many of the top European designers are represented, and their products may be had at bargain prices from any number of stores.