Paris, Lyon Restaurants; Fête de la Musique in Provence?
 

Hi all!

My partner and I are heading to France in June and need some ideas for some fantastic restaurants. It is his first trip to Europe and he will be celebrating his 50th birthday and while I have been to France, especially Paris, many times.

He has expressed wanting to have a special dinner (or two) in Paris and Lyon as he is a major foodie. Me, not so much.

1. In Paris, we will be staying in the 5th, not far from the Sorbonne. Does anyone have any special restaurants in this area?

2. In Lyon, we have not yet booked a hotel but are considering the Perrache area. We are planning on at least one bouchon and a food tour during our stay, so we really only need to find one nicer place for a meal - does not have to be dinner, lunch is fine too.

3. Lastly, we will be in Provence during Fête de la Musique, staying in St. Remy. We will have a car for this portion. Where might be the best place to experience La Fête? We are going to tour much of the region, and honestly, trying to plan a site so we do not have to back track (i.e. go to Avignon twice) to also experience the music and the city sites on that day.

TIA!

In Lyon, I enjoyed Le Vivarais.
Have fun!

I love Lyon! I spent three weeks there in 2024 and never got bored.
The best tour for me was the "Vieux Lyon Food Tasting Walking Tour" for both a history overview and intro to food. The guide was terrific, and we met several shopkeepers who remembered us when we returned throughout our stay, which made us feel almost local. Here's a link to the tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/lyon-l2...inks-desktop_a
Our favorite restaurant was Daniel e Denise, but we never tried the more extravagant Michelin-starred restaurants. I loved the pea soup (peas seem to be in every dish in the spring!), and my husband went for lamb's neck (eeek) and bone marrow, which were both beautifully and decadently prepared. For a regular bouchon, our favorite was Les Fines Gueles. Of course they all have a similar menu, but this one had a great atmosphere and friendly service.

Hi there! Since I live here in Lyon, I can definitely point you in the right direction.

First, a quick tip on where to stay: I would personally suggest avoiding the area right around the Perrache train station. It is not the most welcoming part of the city for a visitor and can be a bit sketchy. You will have a much better experience looking for a place near Bellecour or in the Vieux Lyon district—it is much safer and far more charming. If you have a specific budget in mind, I can probably suggest a couple of nice spots.

For a true Lyonnais dinner, you have to try a "Bouchon." I have two recommendations for you:

• First place: "Daniel et Denise on rue de Créqui" (they have other restaurants in the city but don't be msitaken: the one rue de Créqui is the best). It is the original spot of Chef Joseph Viola, a "Meilleur Ouvrier de France." Just a heads-up that it is a bit more upscale than a standard bouchon, with a budget of around 50-70€ per person. The neighborhood itself is a bit plain, but the food is a world-class gastronomic experience, with a genuine "bouchon" tradition.
  https://danieletdenise.fr/
  
• "Le Musée". This one is very traditional. It is an incredibly cozy spot, and the owner might even show you a "Traboule" (one of our famous secret passageways) right from the restaurant.
  https://www.bouchonlemusee.fr/
  

Be careful: reservation is mandatory several days ahead for both!

While you are here, you should also check out these spots:

• Le Grand Hotel Dieu. The renovation of this historic hospital is incredible. It houses the "Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie" and some great restaurants like "Le Grand Réfectoire," which is worth a visit just for the stunning decor of the dining room.
  
• Terre Adelice. Located in Vieux Lyon, this is arguably the best ice cream shop in the city. They have amazing artisanal flavors—my personal favorite is the hay ice cream ("glace au foin")!
  
• Les Halles Paul Bocuse. This is a large indoor market with high-quality local products. You can wander around or grab a bite on the go at one of the counters. It is a must-see for anyone who loves food.
  

If you need any further recommendations, I'll be happy to help!

Two restaurants on tbe Fourvière hill merit consideration, Têtedoie and Bulle. The views (reserve early for a good table) and the food are sublime at both. As you correctly surmise, lunch is closer to affordable than dinner, and you’ll still have time to walk it off.

Thank you all for your suggestions. We're looking forward to eating well.

If you want to receive emails about Fete de la Musique events, plus anything going on in Provence, here is the page where you can subscribe:

https://infolettres.duministeredelac...r/preferences/

Event info will come out "a few months in advance."

Thanks, shelemm!