Places to Eat

Planning Your Culinary Adventure: A Guide to Paris and Lyon from California

Paris Top Ten By Paris Top Ten
February 11, 2026 Updated: June 29, 2026 2 min read
Person lifting gooey melted cheese from a French onion soup in a white bowl. A glass of beer is partially visible on the left. Cozy and appetizing mood.

Hey there, fellow foodies! 🌍✈️ So, I’m gearing up for my first trip to France this October and I can hardly contain my excitement!

After spending hours drooling over pictures of croissants and cheese plates, I’ve decided to dedicate 8 or 9 days to exploring Paris and Lyon. Worth mentioning, I’m all about the food experience (hello, Les Halles Bocuse!) rather than the art scene (sorry, Musée d’Orsay, maybe next time!).

Serving of quiche lorraine on a plate with a salad and a glass of beer
Maria Sbytova / Adobe Stock

Now, here’s where I need your advice. I can fly directly from California to Paris, which sounds great, but then comes the big question: should I head straight to Lyon or spend a few days soaking up the Parisian vibes first?

On one hand, checking out Paris first would let me dive into its bustling cafés and delectable pastries before hopping down to Lyon for the last couple of days. However, the idea of wrapping up my trip in Paris feels like it could make returning to the City of Lights for my flight a bit tricky and stressful. I don’t want to be scrambling like a headless chicken on my last day! 🐔💨

Two people having coffee and croissants at Parisian a café table
Song_about_summer / Adobe Stock

Alternatively, there’s the idea of starting in Paris for a few days, taking the train to Lyon for two days of culinary bliss, and then coming back to Paris for some final exploring. Hmm, it’s like having your cake and eating it too, right? 🍰 But I need to figure out the logistics.

Speaking of logistics, let’s talk trains! I’ve been researching the trip from Paris to Lyon, and it’s about a 2-hour train ride, which isn’t too shabby.

My concern is, how far in advance should I snag those train tickets? I’ve heard prices can vary, and I’d hate to miss out on a good deal.

But I’m also nervous about buying tickets too early. What if my flight gets delayed or rescheduled? I’d be stuck with a ticket that is as useless as a soggy baguette. 🥖

Let’s not forget I need to get to Gare de Lyon first! Is it easy to navigate the Paris metro? Any tips from seasoned travelers would be more than appreciated!

So, fellow adventurers — should I dive into Paris first or head straight to Lyon? How do you think I should play it for the ultimate foodie adventure? Let’s chat in the comments! 🍷🍽️ Bon voyage!

Find Things to Do in Paris

Find Accommodation

Paris Top Ten

Paris Top Ten

Paris travel writer, researcher, and curator focusing on authentic experiences, historic dining, and verified itineraries.

Continue Planning Your Paris Trip