Thursday 12 July 2012

Les Halles de Lyon - Paul Bocuse, Lyon, France


© Copyright Millie Brown 2012

Recently while spending a few days in Lyon, France we had the pleasure of visiting Les Halles de Lyon - Paul Bocuse, situated in the Part Dieu area (3rd arrondissement), and only a 10 minute trolley bus ride from the centre of the city. 

This covered market is a food lovers paradise, and is a great way of experiencing the gastronomy that Lyon is so famous for (it's the market that pays homage to Lyon's most celebrated Chef, Paul Bocuse), you may even bump into him as he apparently shops here regularly. 

We hit the market aisles on a quiet Sunday morning arriving around 9.30 and we practically had the place to ourselves (love that)!  This meant plenty of time to sit with our croissant and coffee at the Café du Boulanger to start things off.

It wasn't until around 10 am that the locals started to filter in and by 10.05 some of them were already settling in at the oyster bar with their first glass of wine for the day (a touch early for me, but I can't say I wasn't a little tempted)!

The absolute highlight of this market is the visual display of food on offer, (there are close to 60 stalls) with the knockouts being the patisserie, chocolate and cheese stalls. The merchandising is glamourous and gorgeous and almost makes you too afraid to buy anything should you disturb the symmetry of all the gorgeousness!

Photograph taken from www.jérome-langillier.com
This stunning chocolate cake is the award winning 'Kaina' by Pattisier Jerome Langillier and winner of the 2009 World cup for cakes 'Gateau de la Coupe du Monde'

While our taste buds were enjoying the tea infused macarons at the divine Boutique Clostan our attention was drawn to the 'Kaina' (above), it truly is a divine looking chocolate cake, and is created by head patissièr from the Boutique ClostanJérome Langillier. I only wish I had had the opportunity to taste it and describe it to you. It consists of;

Croustillant chocolat
Pain de Gène chocolat
Crémeux chocolat  noir et lacté avec une infusion citron vanille
Coulis exotique
Mousse chocolat grand cru Caraibe
(a LOT of chocolate in other words)!


© Copyright Millie Brown 2012
Boutique Clostan (above)

© Copyright Millie Brown 2012

No need to leave the market for lunch, with a choice between a typical  Lyonnais bouchon, an oyster bar, numerous cafés and even a Spanish jamon bar!....and if you are still a bit peckish don't leave the market without having tried at least one of Lyon's sugary specialties; the Praline Tart, you can't miss it, it's bright red.


© Copyright Millie Brown 2012

For another sugar hit on your way out grab some chocolates from Richart, one of France's most famous chocolate makers.

If you love and appreciate top quality produce as well as the beauty and elegance of French attention to detail then this market is for you.

Les Halles de Lyon
102 cours Lafayette
(open Tuesday - Sunday)
7am to 7pm
(closed between 12 & 3 pm)

Millie x

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