Spring in Ainay
A little slice of the Presqu’île snuggled between Perrache and Bellecour, the ever chic neighbourhood of Ainay has traditionally been inhabited by Lyon’s most distinguished families, as well as gallery owners and antiques dealers. It is now a bastion of good taste with a chilled attitude.
10 am
Stay zen!
The early bird catches the worm, as the saying goes, but what about the early worm? We believe that success is less about how early you rise and more about how much yoga you do! Slip on something comfortable and make your way to Small Yoga Pilates to get the day off to a good start. Unwind and tone your muscles in this little haven of tranquillity, where themed workshops (including yoga, Pilates, fly move and more) are run in a laid-back atmosphere. This session will probably have your tummy rumbling, so next stop is lunch.
Noon
Food for the body
Just a three minute walk from the yoga studio, Skipjack is the perfect place for a vitamin-packed lunch. Opened in 2019, this Hawaiian restaurant offers generously served and flavoursome poke bowls and the option to choose your own ingredients. Or you can try their signature poke, an enticing combination of seared tuna tataki and raw salmon with a spicy mayo sauce. To end your meal on a sweet note, there is a choice of brownies, cookies and molten chocolate cake, which go deliciously with the home-made raspberry squash!
2 pm
Food for the mind
It’s time to quench your thirst for culture. Cross the Rue des Remparts-d’Ainay to the find the entrance to the Textile Arts and Decorative Arts Museum, where you can discover the exhibition ‘Airt de Famille’.
From the 29th of April to the 30th of July, more than thirty artists will be presenting immersive displays created using everyday objects, which were contributed by the general public and transformed into artworks for the event. This circular-economy approach to art was met with success last spring in the Part-Dieu district of Lyon.
4 pm
Time for tea
Your neurons have had a workout and now you deserve a break. Walk down Rue de la Charité then turn left onto Rue Sala. Here you will find Les Papas Sucrés! The interior decor is bursting with sunshine, just like the dishes served up from the kitchen. A generously served gourmet brunch is served at lunchtime, while in the afternoon it is transformed into a tea room. Make sure you try their cheesecake and pancakes!
5 pm
A spot of shopping
Whether you’re a shopaholic or not, it’s difficult to resist the temptations of Rue Auguste-Comte. Traditionally dominated by art and antiques dealers, the street is today home to some of Lyon’s most inspiring shops, including hip brands (Isabel Marant, Agnès b., Sarah Lavoine, The Socialite Family…), characterful concept stores (Home autour du Monde, Le Paravent…), decor showrooms (Hyggelig, Claude Cartier, B&B Italia, Caravane, Arpin…), outlets stocking the latest brands (AC 17, Nyack, Bonny…) and old book shops.
Among our favourite places is Tinsels, a local women’s ready-to-wear brand with exclusive prints.
7 pm
Dinner with a theme
Ainay is not known for its nightlife, but it is reputed for its many excellent restaurants, both traditional and Michelin-starred. For instance, there is L’Artichaut, the charming bistronomic restaurant at Hôtel de l’Abbaye, which also has a lounge area, Café Basilic, which is a very pleasant place to come for aperitif drinks. In a different vein, there is the local institution Café Comptoir Abel, a charming bistro serving cuisine bourgeoise, with delicacies such as huge quenelles (dumplings), tête de veau (calf’s head) and crayfish au gratin. Last, but certainly not least, we recommend the Michelin-starred restaurant run by Maxime Laurenson – Rustique – for a taste of the countryside.
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