Where to go shopping in Lyon

Similar to Paris, each arrondissement of Lyon has its own distinct characteristics and flavor. This certainly applies to the shopping scenes throughout Lyon’s many districts like Vieux Lyon, Foirviére, the 2nd arrondissement, and others. The 3rd, for example, is where you’ll find the Part Dieu shopping center and Les Halles Market, close to the city's main train station, Lyon Part Dieu.

Regardless of where you're heading, you'll find typical French shopping options. This is certainly something to get excited about, as Lyon is home to both traditional French markets that provide historical and cultural appeal and major retail institutions like Galeries Lafayette. Lyon is a modern city with all the retail amenities you'd expect from capitals in major cities, making it an approachable shopping destination. 

Lyon is also incredibly easy to navigate through public transportation, so you'll be able to hit plenty of shopping centers, lively streets, and markets during your trip. And if you're trying to get some retail therapy and on a travel day, Bounce’s Lyon luggage storage facilities can for your hands up for your shopping bags! 

All you need to know when shopping in Lyon

The Presqu’île district, lined with 19th-century buildings, is home to some of the most popular boutiques and shopping institutions. Lyon also boasts shop-lined pedestrian streets like Rue de la République, which connects Lyon’s two main squares (Place Bellecour to Place des Terreaux). The Carré d'Or, or Golden Square, is the retail epicenter of Lyon, with major brands like Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Dior. 

Expect shopping centers and department stores curating haute couture fashion alongside the Village des Créateurs’ charming boutiques, showcasing the best in local design. The latter might be Lyon’s strength, as the city has been forced to compete with its larger counterpart Paris through its world-beating cuisine and fiercely localized culture. 

Outside of a few vendors at markets, you probably won't find many surprises in terms of opening hours or store policies. While it's certainly a good idea to learn a few phrases in French, many store clerks (especially in tourist areas like Vieux Lyon) will know conversational English.

Unique shops to visit in Lyon

Some of the best Lyon shopping experiences have nothing to do with brands like Louis Vuitton or even souvenir shops. It shouldn't be surprising that the world's culinary capital has an artistic streak, so look forward to quirky shops and designers that take their crafts seriously. 

Tribu des Gones

There’s an infectious optimism to this approachable but chic brand, and anyone wearing these goods becomes an unofficial mascot for the city. Situated in Vieux Lyon, this brand’s boutique sells only goods that have been made in Lyon by locals. You'll have your pick of colorful T-shirts and sweatshirts along with all manner of Lyon-themed accessories. While the colors pop and there are numerous callouts to the city, the brand maintains an elevated aesthetic and avoids cliché. 

• Pro tip: The shop is located near the Les Traboules du Vieux Lyon and the Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean train station, so you’ll want to leave any shopping bags with a Bounce location in Old Town before heading out. 
• Address: 19 Rue René Leynaud, 69001, Lyon

Maison Baltayan

Since 1936, this shoemaker has been churning out some of France’s highest-quality footwear. While their process utilizes age-old production methods like only using vegetable-tanned leather, Baltayan’s products are stocked and ready for purchase.

• Address: 6 Pl. des Célestins, 69002 Lyon, France

Le Dada Shop

If you want to buy a small piece of decor or some accessories, head to this hipster-centric gift shop on Rue du Griffon. You'll have your pick of pastel-colored backpacks or home decor items that feature the signature minimalist aesthetic that's been causing Millennials to open up their wallets for years now. If you’re trying to pick up a housewarming gift for a friend who just moved to Lyon, you can always grab a cactus!

• Address: 13 rue du Griffon - 69001 Lyon 1er

Shopping in Lyon beyond clothing 

Lyon is home to some of the absolute best restaurants in the world, and that cultural emphasis bleeds over to its shopping. That means there are plenty of farmers' markets and streets lined with craft stores to explore! 

La Croix Rousse Market 

Open every day except for Monday, this market pops up with over 100 food vendors and producers selling everything from fresh fruits to cheeses and cured meats. Putting a picnic together is always an excellent idea, and you can head over to the Parc de la Tête d’Or. The market is situated off of the UNESCO-listed Boulevard de la Croix Rousse, which you’ll want to at least walk down and is an absolute must-visit for food lovers. 

•  Address: Le Marché de la Croix Rousse, Boulevard de la Croix Rousse Lyon 69004

Les Halles de Lyon – Paul Bocuse

This indoor market, situated in a 19th-century 3rd arrondissement building, is one of the world’s most famous food markets and has directly contributed to the wonderful restaurants that make Lyon the gourmet capital of Europe. The producers and street food vendors here are of such high quality that your local farmers' market might be ruined forever. Notable butcher Trolliet and Giroud/Perrier, the Jocteur, Maison Victoire bakery, and chocolatiers Délices des Sens are just a few destination-worthy examples of the artisanal goods on offer. The market also has wine bars and onsite restaurants Chez Léon, Chez Les Gones, and Le Fer à Cheval. It’s a bucket-list market for a reason. 

• Address: 102 Cr Lafayette F, 69003 Lyon, France

Rue Auguste Comte

One of the city’s best places for handcrafted antiques, folk items, and souvenirs. It’s not all for older travelers and eccentrics, either. Many of these shops cater to modern tastes with unique items for aesthetes with an eye for interior design. There’s also a selection of boutiques selling vintage clothing or trendy local designer brands aimed at the same bohemian clientele. 

• Pro tip: If you’ve just invested in a vintage piece that’s awkward to carry, you may want to stash it with Bounce for a few hours. These luggage storage locations have expanded size capacities for larger items. 

Traditional shopping options in Lyon

It's probably not what you envision when planning a trip to France, but sometimes you just need to make a practical purchase. If you're looking for a straightforward traveling experience in the city center, you'll be able to rely on more than one shopping mall offering major brands in convenient spaces. 

Rue Saint Jean in Vieux Lyon

Old Town’s main stretch is where the city’s commerce has happened for centuries. And while the shops have changed, the bustle has stayed the same. If you’re visiting Lyon, there’s no chance you’ll avoid the historic quarter’s cobbled streets and charming alleys (not to mention major landmarks like the Cathedral Saint-Jean Baptiste or the Jardin Archéologique). You should definitely set aside time to window shop or peruse the boutiques along Rue Saint Jean selling antiques, souvenirs, and handcrafted items relating to the city’s history along with world-renowned silks and other luxury goods. 

• Pro tip: If you’re going to take the nearby funicular up to the hilltop Basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, you may want to stash your shopping bags with Bounce beforehand. 

Centre Commercial Confluence

The Pôle de Commerces et de Loisirs de Confluence (or simply ‘Confluence’) shopping centre offers standard mall offerings but in the best possible location in Presqu’Île. There’s an open-air section of the mall where you can lounge on patios with a coffee from the food court between stops at familiar brands and outlets indoors. If you need to buy something for your trip, you’ll have everything you need, without having to head to the outskirts or Lyon’s suburbs to find it. 

• Address: 112 Cours Charlemagne, 69002 Lyon, France

Carré d'Or

Lyon's haute couture epicenter, the “Golden Square” in Presqu’Île, is your typical shopping hotspot, showcasing the best in French fashion. Outlets like Zara, Camaïeu, and H&M all have a presence there. Upscale boutiques line the bustling stretches of Rue de la République, Rue Gasparin, Rue Émile Zola, and Rue Président Édouard Herriott that create the district along with the covered Passage de l'Argue shopping arcade. Expect major brands like Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Dior, alongside luxury jewelers like Maier and Beaumont & Finet. 

• Pro tip: If you only have a few hours on a layover in Lyon, this is where you should head. This makes Bounce’s locations in the area all the more useful! 

Because of their commitment to craftsmanship and an enviable lifestyle, France is widely considered the authority on everything from fashion to food and beyond. Lyon epitomizes this in so many ways, especially its shopping scene. You'll have plenty to do when visiting the city. Just don't let your bags slow you down. Download the Bounce mobile app to start planning your trip!