So what can you find in Rue Mercière?

This is THE street for restaurants in Lyon, although this is quite a recent development. Our bistro has been open since 1974, and we can all remember quite a different atmosphere. Up until the 1980s, Rue Mercière had a bad reputation, due to prostitutes and the cheap hotels they used, but the town council is doing a good job of revitalising the district. Little by little, the street has been pedestrianized and has become extremely pleasant, attracting restaurants in the process. Today there must be around 40 of them in this important city centre street.

What makes this street so popular?

Both tourists and Lyon's residents love Rue Mercière as the atmosphere is so friendly and festive. During the summer, all of the restaurants open their terraces out onto the streets, which is really pleasant, and in the winter they're decked out with fantastic decorations for the end of year celebrations, such as theBeaujolaisnouveau or the Fête des Lumières.

What sort of Lyonnais culinary specialities can be enjoyed in Rue Mercière?

You'll be spoiled for choice because there's plenty of great regional cuisine available in this street! You absolutely must try the hot sausage with lentils, apples in oil, lyonnais chitterling sausage, pike quenelle, liver cake, thetablier de sapeuror the praline tart.

But you can also try the excellent seafood at the Bistrot de Lyon or at Moss, and the very different dishes proposed along the street. Nowadays, you'll find something to suit every taste!