The 6 Best Places for Shopping in Lyon

The Presqu'Île-Bellecour District: For Global Brands & Shops

One of Lyon's most popular shopping areas is located smack in the city center, on the semi-natural "island" between the Rhône and Saône rivers, known locally as the Presqu'Île. Locals flock to the boutique-studded streets that stretch from the enormous Place Bellecour square and Perrache train station to the south and around Rue de la République and the Cordeliers metro station to the north. Clothing for men, women, and kids; sportswear; electronics; health and beauty; and food shops are all part of the offerings in the area.

For familiar global chains such as H&M, Gap, Zara, and Uniqlo, take a stroll along Rue de la Republique, Rue du Président Carnot, or Rue Grolée (all within close reach of the Cordeliers or Bellecour metro stops).

For luxury and designer boutiques such as Hermès and Louis Vuitton, head to the Rue du Président Édouard Herriot and Rue Emile Zola. Meanwhile, the Grand Hotel Dieu is a newer shopping center that's home to the likes of upmarket beauty brand Clarins and a variety of high-end food shops.

Travel tip: To avoid the crowds, try shopping in the area on weekdays around opening time (typically about 10 a.m).

Le Village des Créateurs (Creators' Village): For Artisan Originals

If shopping in global chains isn't your speed and you're more interested in finding clothing, home items, accessories, and gifts produced by local designers and artisans, the Village des Créateurs (Creators' Village) is an essential stop. Occupying a covered passageway in the arty Croix-Rousse district, the "Village" houses trendy boutiques showcasing creations from up-and-coming designers and small start-ups. As you wander through the galleries, you'll find clothing for men and women, accessories, jewelry, and decorative items—ideal for finding a unique gift,

Near the entrance to the Passage Thiaffait, there's also a multi-brand concept store called the Village des Créateurs Boutique (VDCB), where you can peruse items from several designers and brands.

Travel tip: During the winter (around December), the Village often opens a holiday-themed pop-up store that's an especially useful (and eye-catching) destination for seasonal gifts.

Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse Market: For Edible Gifts

Widely considered to be one of the world's best covered food halls, this enormous market named after renowned Lyonnais chef Paul Bocuse is located in the city's modern Part-Dieu area. Rain or shine, local and visiting foodies huddle indoors to browse the market's 48 stalls, spread over three floors and offering everything from cheese and charcuterie to wines, jams, and patés.

Whether you're shopping for delicious ingredients for a picnic or a home-cooked meal in a rental apartment kitchen, this is one of the best spots in town to find them. There are also several excellent bars and sit-down restaurants in and around the market, making it even more of a gastronomic destination.

The market is open every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for Sundays when it closes at 1 p.m.

Travel tip: Since the market is so close to the train station (with easy access to the airport), consider stocking up on non-perishable goodies and gifts like chocolate and wine here before catching your train or flight.

Vieux Lyon (Old Town): For Textiles, Souvenirs, & Treats

The narrow, winding streets that form Lyon's Old Town (Vieux Lyon) have some of the city's best boutiques for gifts, souvenirs, and fine food items, as well as clothing and accessories made with Lyon's world-famous silks.

To start, wander up Rue Saint-Jean from the Vieux Lyon-Cathédrale-Saint-Jean metro station. Along the street, you'll find shops selling everything from old books to souvenirs and wooden marionettes, an art form long associated with the city. At bakeries, specialty food stores, and confiseurs (confectioner shops) in the area, try typical Lyonnais foods, sweets, and desserts such as pink praline tart, sausages, and coussins (pale-green marzipan candies laced with chocolate ganache and curaçao liqueur).

Rue Saint-Jean, Rue de Boeuf, and Place du Gouvernment are also well-known for boutiques proffering delicately printed scarves and other clothing and design items made from local silks. These can make ideal gifts.

Travel tip: Take a memorable break between boutique-browsing by enjoying a drink or lunch at the Cours des Loges, a hotel restaurant and bar located within one of Old Lyon's breathtaking covered passageways.

Confluence Shopping Center: For Designer & Mid-Range Clothing

Located in the area where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet and known as the "Confluence," this contemporary shopping center is an ideal stop on the way to the nearby Perrache train station. Opened in 2012, the bright, airy mall is built over three levels, and boasts 74 boutiques and 26 restaurants.

These include mid-range, global fashion chains such as Zara, Desigual, and Adidas; beauty outlets such as Sephora and Beauty Bar One; gift, chocolate, and tea shops; and design and homeware boutiques. There's also an Apple Store location at the center.

Travel tip: The shopping center is around 10 minutes on foot from the Musée des Confluences, a science and anthropology museum that features one of Lyon's most exciting newer collections.

Part-Dieu Shopping Center: A Convenient Stop to or From the Airport

Conveniently located just steps away from the Lyon-Part Dieu rail and TGV (high-speed train) station, this sprawling shopping center is an ideal stop for gifts, souvenirs, or new clothing items before heading to the airport or hopping on the train. Open every day except Sunday, "La Part-Dieu" center boasts 210 shops, 39 restaurants, and a multiplex cinema with 14 screens (some show movies in English with French subtitles).

If it's clothing, accessories, or jewelry you're after, there's a good mix of mid-range and high-end shops, from H&M, Zara, and Gap to Hugo Boss, Michael Kors, and Lacoste. In the health and beauty category, you'll find familiar chains like Sephora, The Body Shop, and MAC, while a variety of shops sell gifts, home items, chocolate and confections, tea, and coffee. The center is also home to department store Galeries Lafayette, a good port of call for browsing clothing and accessories from dozens of brands and designers under a single roof.

Travel tip: Stop here before or after a whirl through the nearby Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse (see above).