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Aldo Parede
Out and about
Mon week-end à la lyonnaise
A day in the Confluence district
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Brice Robert
By Laetitia
Published on 19/07/2023
Dotted with amazing architecture, this former industrial district has become a place of vibrant culture and lively events. Here are some suggestions for places to warm up on a cold winter’s day.
9 am - Trendy café
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Mob Hotel Confluence
There’s nothing better than a nourishing breakfast to start your day on the right foot. So make your way to Karlito, the Mob Hotel’s trendy Italian-style organic canteen. Here you will find packed bookcases and inviting armchairs, as well as a healthy, generous all-you-can-eat buffet, including hot drinks, fresh fruit juices, fruit grown in the surrounding region, unpackaged cereals and Viennese pastries… Organic, delicious and healthy food: perfect to fill up on energy before braving the chilly weather.
Breakfast served Monday to Friday from 7 to 10 am, and until 10:30 am on the weekend
10 am - Twenty-first-century heritage
This former industrial area in the south of Lyon has been transformed into a highly sought-after “eco-district”, which stretches all the way to the tip of the Presqu’île (Lyon’s peninsula). The best way to explore it is on foot, with a stroll around the district’s architectural landmarks, including the orange Cube, the green Cube (also known as the ‘Taille-Crayon’, or ‘pencil sharpener’), and the Place Nautique marina. If you fancy an activity in the warm indoors, we recommend the exhibition ‘Tutankhamun: Discovering the forgotten Pharaoh’ at La Sucrière, which is one of this fast-changing district’s few historic buildings
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Nicolas Robin
1 pm - Food galore
Did you build up an appetite while walking? Just another ten minutes’ walk away, towards the river Rhône, you can have lunch in the heated and glazed dining area at Heat. Focussed on short supply chains, this food hall is in a permanent state of flux, with new occupants serving up food in its four repurposed shipping containers each week. On the constantly updated menus, you will find vegetarian options, Asian cuisine, African specialities, Tex-Mex food, arancini (Italian rice balls), burgers and pizzas. In the evenings and on weekends, it comes to life with live music, fun events and creative workshops.
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Juliette Valero
3 pm - More fun than you can shake a stick at!
Make your way to the Confluence Shopping and Leisure Centre, where you can give your body or credit card a workout. In this three-storey centre, you will find a cinema, shops (including fashion, interior decor, books and more) and restaurants. There is also the Climb Up indoor climbing centre, which boasts France’s tallest climbing hall, and a gaming area with arcade games: La Tête dans les Nuages. What’s more, until the 10th of December, you can try the immersive experience L’Horizon de Khéops (The Horizon of Cheops), a virtual tour of the pyramid built for the Egyptian king Khufu (or ‘Cheops’ in Greek).
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Jérémie Morel
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Excurio
5 pm - At the confluence of knowledge
Easy to spot with its eye-catching glass, concrete and stainless steel structure, the Musée des Confluences explores the world and knowledge in all their diversity. The temporary exhibitions (on topics ranging from magic to ornithology and geology) are cleverly designed around its permanent collections, which are focussed on the living world. Star exhibits include the Mammoth of Choulans, the stuffed lion, Brochier’s luminous wedding dress and the Mummy of Taubasthis.
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Maxime Brochier
7 pm - Drinks with a view
It’s time for some well-deserved liquid refreshments! Make your way to Le Sucre, a rooftop club and cultural venue perched above La Sucrière. Club nights, concerts and events are held here all year round. The panoramic terrace looks out over the entire district, offering stunning views of the hill of Fourvière and the river Saône. As a major venue on the electronic music scene, Le Sucre hosts nights that have become legendary, such as Garçon Sauvage. This is the perfect place to keep your evening going into the wee hours.
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Gaétan Clément
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