Lyon’s long-awaited International City of Gastronomy is opening with a tasty promotion. Nestled in the oldest part of the newly renovated Grand Hôtel Dieu, this cultural institution will host events to promote the important role food plays in wellness.
To mark the occasion, Régis Marcon, who holds three Michelin stars, is the city’s first guest chef, working alongside the permanent teams to prepare tasty morsels for visitors to try as they watch.
Lyon’s International City of Gastronomy is located in the heart of the newly restored Grand Hôtel-Dieu , the hospital that opened at Lyon’s Pont du Rosne in the 12th century to offer healing and restorative food. The exhibition is beneath the Quatre Rangs dome, an architectural marvel that bears witness to innovation of the time. A restored large section of the former hospital has just opened as the Intercontinental Lyon-Hôtel-Dieu
Faithful to the commitments of the brotherhood who opened the hospital, the International City of Gastronomy will host events focused on issues of nutrition and health. The 4,000 square meters of permanent exhibits include an exhibition of the history of Lyon’s gastronomy and the top chefs and the ‘mères’ (mothers) who built Lyon’s reputation. Digital space is devoted to the French meal, France’s terroirs and its cuisine. In addition there is a shop with a selection of collectors’ items and MiamMiam, an area designed to help children to discover the pleasure of eating well.
The French gastronomic meal was added to UNESCO’s intangible heritage of humanity list in 2010. Lyon’s International City of Gastronomy is be the first of four to open in France to promote the distinction, which requires that recipients promote the qualities of gastronomy and preparation of good food to future generations.
The exhibition is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with an entry fee of 12 euros for adults and reduced fees for seniors, children and job seekers. For more information, the contact is www.citegastronomielyon.fr.
