Lyon

Lyon is France's foodie capital + 3rd-largest city — population 520,000 at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers, UNESCO World Heritage 1998 (Old Lyon + Croix-Rousse + Presqu'île + Fourvière hill). Anthony Bourdain called it 'the gastronomic capital of the world,' and locals fiercely defend it against Paris. Home to Paul Bocuse (the late 'Pope of French cuisine,' founded nouvelle cuisine in 1965, his Restaurant Paul Bocuse held 3 Michelin stars for 50 years), bouchons (traditional Lyonnaise restaurants serving offal + charcuterie + quenelles since 17th-century silk weavers' guild meals), and traboules (passages through buildings used by silk merchants in 4th-19th centuries to transport silk in dry conditions — 400 still exist).

Highlights: Vieux Lyon (UNESCO Renaissance old town with 15th-century pastel facades), Fourvière Basilica (1872 hilltop with city panorama), Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse (covered food market named after late chef), Place Bellecour (largest pedestrian square in Europe), and Croix-Rousse (former silk weavers' district turned bohemian). 2h TGV from Paris.

Iconic Lyonnaise cuisine: Quenelle (creamed pike fish dumplings, $20-35 — Bouchon Daniel et Denise canonical), Andouillette (offal sausage, $18-30 — divisive), Salade Lyonnaise (frisée + bacon + poached egg, $12-20), Saucisson en brioche (sausage in brioche, $15-25), Coq au vin (chicken in wine, $25-40), Tarte aux pralines (pink praline tart, $5-10), Bouchon classics often around $25-40 lunch + €40-70 dinner.

Bottom line: Lyon is canonical French foodie + UNESCO Renaissance + cheaper Paris alternative. 2-3 days hits Old Town + bouchons + Fourvière + Beaujolais wine.