Lyon ethics guide
Un design et une conception de baskets écoresponsables et françaises !
Welcome to the city of Lyon, a city brimming with historical and cultural treasures. With its magnificent Fourvière Basilica, its famous Place Bellecour, and its old town with picturesque alleyways, Lyon is undeniably a city steeped in history, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Founded by the Romans in 43 BC J.C. Capital of the Gauls, City of the Resistance, important commercial crossroads in the 18th century… The historical importance of this city is undeniable.
But the City of Silk Weavers is not content with its glorious past; it is also an innovative city looking to the future. More and more Lyon-based brands are seeking to reconcile fashion and ethics, offering products that respect the environment and the working conditions of their employees.
These ethical brands, in addition to promoting responsible fashion, contribute to the local economy by creating jobs and supporting local artisans and producers.
So, let's discover together some ethical and eco-responsible brands, made in 69!
A LITTLE HISTORY
The city, with its 9 districts each possessing different charms, has a significant historical past.
Honored with the title of Capital of the Gauls for nearly 300 years during the Roman era, it was an important city in the Roman Empire, with Gallic and Celtic influences. This is evidenced by its amphitheaters and magnificent ruins, most of which have been preserved to this day.
From the Middle Ages until the beginnings of industrialization in the 19th century, Lyon was renowned as a flourishing trading city thanks to silk. Proud of its Canuts, the silk workers, the city experienced a great economic and cultural boom during the Renaissance thanks to this global trade.
It is also considered the Capital of the Resistance, both during the French Revolution and during the Second World War.
Today, Lyon is a dynamic and cosmopolitan city, proud of its historical and cultural heritage. Roman ruins, Renaissance buildings, and medieval traboules bear witness to its rich and fascinating past. The city also continues to grow, with a diversified economy and a vibrant cultural scene, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Did you know ?
A myth surrounds the statue in Place Bellecour. According to legend, the sculptor Lemot committed suicide after realizing he had forgotten the king's stirrups. But in fact, this omission was deliberate, as Louis XIV rode "Roman-style," that is, without stirrups! See for yourself in the photo… 👀
Pictured here is Louis XIV wearing our model
MYTHICAL PLACES
If you're looking for must-see places to visit in Lyon, the city is brimming with interesting options. Among them, the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Gallo-Roman Ancient Theatre, and the Vieux-Lyon district bear witness to the city's historical heritage and offer picturesque walks through narrow cobbled streets, medieval houses, and typical traboules (covered passageways).
For art lovers, the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, one of the largest museums in France, houses an impressive collection of works spanning from antiquity to the present day, including masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance and modern art. The Musée des Confluences, resembling a cross between a spaceship and a crumpled ball of paper, located between the Rhône and Saône rivers, offers an exploration of the major issues of our time in relation to science and society.
Don't miss the city's two giants either: the Parc de la Tête d'Or, one of the largest urban parks in France, with its French-style gardens, lakes, greenhouses and zoo, and the famous Place Bellecour, one of the largest squares in Europe, connected to Rue de la République, an important shopping street lined with luxury boutiques and department stores.
LYON FASHION
In Lyon, the Canuts (silk weavers) place great importance on the quality of clothing in the Lyon region. However, while this cultural heritage is significant, please remember that silk is not vegan. As alternatives, consider nylon satin or 100% cotton viscose!
The city is brimming with small, ethically-minded brands that will delight everyone! Among the local and ethical clothing companies are... Alory, An ethical fashion brand for everyone, featuring eco-responsible clothing, organic and upcycled fabrics, ethical manufacturing, and all within a circular economy. We can also note Suny, which offers organic cotton clothing that is both timeless and made with respect for people and the environment.
While strolling through the Cordeliers district, don't hesitate to pay a visit to the Curious team in their eco-friendly boutique. You can discover this hybrid space combining a ready-to-wear boutique, barber shop, and meeting place, and try on your favorite styles COG favorites.
You can also opt for second-hand items in many thrift stores in Lyon, including the various Emmaüs, Fripes Ketchup, Ding Fring…
In terms of cosmetics, the city of two hills also offers beauty product stores. For self-care, it's best to choose natural and healthy products, such as those from Bulle des monts d'or: This is a small-scale, artisanal factory producing solid, natural, and zero-waste cosmetics from plant-based raw materials. And for fragrance and perfume enthusiasts, there are zero-waste essences from 100 Good will delight your senses.
A LITTLE TREATS
Are you ravenous or just a bird? You've come to the right place, as Lyon is a culinary mecca with 20 Michelin-starred restaurants, including the famous Paul Bocuse, as well as numerous traditional bistros known as "bouchons lyonnais." But since the cuisine in these restaurants isn't exactly vegan, we've put together a few other suggestions:
Imagine yourself on a summer evening, after a stroll in the Croix-Rousse district, sitting down at the table of Like an Elephant And enjoying delicious vegan and seasonal dishes: it's a dream come true. For food lovers, let yourself be seduced by the gourmet vegetarian cuisine of Culina Hortus, in the City Hall district. And for burger fans, we offer 100% vegan alternatives. Hank Burger 🙂
If you prefer to play chef at home, it's possible and perfectly accessible, even for weekend cooks. Grab your shopping bag and head to... Courgette House, A grocery store in the heart of Croix-Rousse, offering organic, locally sourced products through short supply chains. For relaxing with a cup of tea, consider... Chabiothé and its organic and local herbs! And for a snack, a slice of bread with a spoonful of Go Nuts, The super organic spread, all made in Lyon.
Speaking of snacks, how about a picnic in the Parc de la Tête d'Or with vegan pastries from... Zoi, or you could sit down with an organic ice cream Land of Delight on the banks of the Saône?
ON YOUR SNEAKERS!
And there you have it, we've explored our ethical guide to eco-friendly spots in Lyon together! The city of the Gones is full of surprises, and we hope you enjoyed this short, non-exhaustive guide to the ethical and vegan places we love at COG!
By adopting more responsible consumption habits, we can all contribute to preserving our beautiful planet and supporting ethical and local initiatives. So why not continue exploring the city of Lyon and discover new eco-friendly spots to share with your loved ones?
Buying local reduces your carbon footprint and supports the local economy. Together, we can build a fairer world that respects our environment. So, see you soon for more ethical and sustainable adventures!
