Kitchen within iconic restaurant L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges
In the heart of France, Lyon stands proudly as the World Capital of Gastronomy, a title it earned in 1935 when food critic and writer Curnonsky declared it as such. This city of culinary delights is home to the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie (CIG), a unique cultural center dedicated to the art and culture of fine food.
Housed in the historic Hôtel-Dieu building, one of Lyon’s oldest parts, the CIG offers visitors an engaging cultural experience. The building, which functioned as a hospital from the Middle Ages until 2010, now serves as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between food, health, and culture.
The CIG is a comprehensive and immersive gastronomic journey, showcasing Lyon's rich culinary traditions, including its famous local dishes and the iconic *bouchons lyonnais* restaurants. Visitors can expect cultural exhibitions and events centred on food, nutrition, and gastronomy, as well as educational experiences that delve into the relationship between food, health, and culture.
One of the highlights of the CIG is the opportunity to explore gastronomy in a historical and architectural setting of great significance. The center, which is the only cultural center worldwide devoted exclusively to fine food, underscores Lyon’s reputation as a culinary capital.
Among the top 5 Lyonnaise specialities to try are Cervelle de canut, a vegetarian dish made with fromage blanc, herbs, and shallots, and Coussin de Lyon, a green marzipan and chocolate ganache dessert. Other staples include Tête de veau, a dish made from calf's head, Quenelles de Brochet, a dish made with pike and crayfish, and the city's famous Bocuse classics, including Truffle Soup VGE, a dish created by Paul Bocuse in 1975.
Lyon boasts approximately 4,000 restaurants, of which 19 are Michelin-starred. One such restaurant is L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges. The city is also home to the Food Traboule, a collection of mini-restaurants in Vieux Lyon, each an offshoot of an already successful Lyon restaurant, serving a simplified menu.
The CIG is not only a celebration of Lyon's gastronomic heritage but also a catalyst for its future. The Lyon CIG is the first of four planned across France, with others due to open in Dijon, Paris, and Tours over the next five years.
In addition to the CIG, Lyon's vibrant food scene is further enriched by projects like La Commune. This communal project, based on the 'food court' style of dining, opened in March 2018 and provides management, legal, and business support for its budding restaurateurs. Louise Rogelet, a 26-year-old pastry chef, runs the vegan patisserie stand Zoi at La Commune.
The success of projects like La Commune ensures that the 'gastronomic meal of the French' is in no danger of losing its UNESCO status. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates a good meal, a visit to Lyon and its Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie is a must for anyone seeking a culinary adventure.
References: [1] The Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cig-lyon.com/en/ [2] Traveller. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.traveller.co.uk/ [3] Lyon's gastronomic meal of the French in no danger of losing UNESCO status 6 years after being granted world heritage status | The Independent. (2020, November 19). Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/
- The Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie, located in the historic Hôtel-Dieu building in Lyon, offers visitors an immersive cultural experience, showcasing the city's rich culinary traditions and history.
- From the famous bouchons lyonnais restaurants to iconic dishes like Cervelle de canut and Quenelles de Brochet, Lyon's gastronomy is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between food, health, and culture.
- L'Auberge du Pont de Collonges is one of the 19 Michelin-starred restaurants in Lyon, a city renowned for its vibrant food scene and approximately 4,000 eateries.
- Projects like La Commune, a communal food project offering management, legal, and business support to budding restaurateurs, ensure that Lyon's gastronomic heritage continues to thrive and its UNESCO status remains secure.
