World City Guide

Shopping

Lyon is a real shopper’s paradise. The area of the Presqu’île boasts the most attractive streets for shopping, such as rue Victor Hugo and rue de la République, where the big department stores of Printemps and Galeries Lafayette are located.

The rue du Président Herriot, with its elegant 19th-century buildings, makes an ideal setting for the luxury boutiques of Cartier, Hermès, Gucci or Louis Vuitton. Fine antiques and old books can be found on rue Auguste Comte or at La Cité des Antiquaires near the Parc de la Tête d’Or. Rue Auguste Comte is a lively street with some 80 shops devoted to antiques. La Cité is open on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 0930-1230 and 1430-1900.

For furniture and home decoration stores, it is best for shoppers to go to Cours de la Liberté. For casual shopping, Part-Dieu shopping centre is ideal and is one of Europe’s largest, with over 200 stores.

Chocolate is the best speciality gift available in the city. Although the Swiss and Belgians might take issue, it could be argued that Lyon has the finest chocolate factory in the world. Bernachon, 42 cours Franklin Roosevelt, is open Tuesday-Saturday 0800-1900 and Sunday 0800-1700.

To really understand the link between Lyon and good food, a visit to one of major markets is a must. Every morning from Tuesday to Sunday, there is a market on quai St-Antoine on the banks of the river Saône and another market on boulevard de la Croix-Rousse, in one of Lyon’s liveliest districts. In the third arrondissement (quarter), 102 Cours Lafayette, there is the covered market, Les Halles de Lyon, which is open every day. There is a craft market on quai Fulchiron, on Sunday morning 8000-1300.

Most shops are usually open from Monday to Saturday between 0930 and 1930 but closed on Sundays. Some small grocery stores are open Sunday morning. VAT (Value Added Tax) can vary between 5% and 20%, depending on the goods bought. Non-EU visitors can obtain a tax refund for purchases over ¬183, provided all the relevant receipts are retained. It is best for visitors to enquire with customs officers on arrival in France or Lyon, for specific details. The information service of French Customs (tel: (04) 7277 3938) is useful for customs and VAT enquiries, as is Global Refund (website: www.globalrefnd.com).