We loved their flaky Croissant. We wanted to take some bread home, but they were closed on…read moreSundays, so we sadly couldn't. We will definitely try other mouth-watering products on our next visit. I believe this bakery is now called "Boulangerie les Artistes".

When people ask me why I moved to France, I tell them it was for the boulangeries, and I'm only…read morehalf-kidding. O Fournil des Artistes was exactly what I had in mind. It is simply a boulangerie, not a boulangerie-patisserie combo (no éclairs here!) The line is out the door for sandwiches at lunch, and they run out of croissants on Sunday morning, so go early. Then when you get there, order croissants, pain au chocolat, and pain aux raisins, plus bread with olives or cheese for later. Oh, and don't forget a baguette, the bread and butter of French boulangeries (too much?) If you're extra hungry, go for one of the grande baguettes - it's fatter and won't disappear quite as fast. The boulanger is a charming fellow who speaks English. If he can, he'll give you the freshest croissants just out of the oven instead of the ones on display. My evening baguettes and bad-day-cheer-me-up pain aux raisins and it's-Tuesday pain aux olives are what I miss most since moving out of Croix Rousse. Yes, we have other boulangeries at the bottom of les pentes, but it's not the same! O Fournil des Artistes, I miss you! En gros: si vous aimez le bon pain et les bonnes viennoiseries, vous ne serez pas deçu. Meilleure boulangerie de la Croix Rousse!

A local bakery with a variety of pastries, baked goods, and sandwiches. Seems to be popular with…read morethe locals there. We got their Pain au Chocolat and Traditional Bageutte for breakfast. Both were delicious, especially aftet some heating in the oven.

Do yourself a favor and not only come here but any Pastry you get just order three of them. By the…read moretime you take two bites of the first thing you ordered your going to wish you had a bag full. I had a chocolate croissant that was like eating a pillow that had been stuffed with happiness. I think it would be fair to say it was one of the best I have ever eaten. I also had a sandwich which was fresh, yummy, and filled with flavor. I'm going to spend many years dreaming about this croissant and may be back to Lyon just to have another one.

A modern coffeeshop with delicious Cappucino and Cortado…read more The staffs were friendly. Lots of fun seats inside and out. You see many students hanging out and working in the space.

An outstanding American style coffee house in Lyon, France…read more * * * So what is the big deal about American style coffee houses in Anywhere, France? Americans can get American coffee in America. France is for French stuff. * * * Well, there is one exception to the rule of France is for French stuff. French coffee is generally bad. I have had expresses and espressos in lots of cafes both on this trip and earlier trips. French espresso is grim stuff. When Starbucks showed up in France, it got a huge popular reaction. Most of this was for wacky flavored coffees such as Pistachio Mint Lattes. But the huge crowds showed a real impatience with lame tame cafe espressos. * * * When French entrepreneurs tried to clone the Starbucks experience, the results were not good. They aped all of the worst aspects of Starbucks coffee without putting anything legitimately good on the table. * * * So the French move into artisanal coffee houses is a very big deal. They follow the American model of having a) outstanding espressos, lattes and alt-coffee drinks and b) having a small but fine menu of breakfast and lunch dishes to make the coffee house a place for a destination meal. Note that not all French artisan coffee places add on Clause c) c) People need to be able to work at the coffee house all day on their computers. The places with really good food actually frown on all-day workers. There is a line out the door of people wanting to eat that really good food. But even with no c), a) and b) are enough to give you a great place. Coffee reform has finally come to France. * * * In the new coffee movement, Slake is a stellar addition. The coffee is amazing - but most of the new coffee houses have that. What sets Slake apart is food that is absolutely positively outstanding. I had a set of Turkish eggs - which were one of the best breakfasts I had in the entire trip to Lyon. My wife did even better with a one-off special - an Indonesian pancake with caramel flour. I died and went to heaven off the one taste of pancake I got. My wife was singing with the angels and flying around the Gates of Radiant Light. A quick look at the other tables suggested that there is legendary French toast to be had as well as a number of other absolutely intriguing treats. * * * There is a line to get into Slake. Don't come expecting immediate gratification - And get out when you are done with your meal. But in return for that The Great Gods of Java will show you the Resplendent Wonders of Their Kingdom once you ditch the cheap espresso.