France: Zin Kyaw (Daily Life in Lyon)

Daily Life in Lyon, France

Today is Monday, and unlike a certain lovable orange cat, Mondays have become my favorite. After my Art History class, I race down to my favorite boulangerie to grab a pastry and catch up with my friends. Chatting about our weekends and our plans for the week ahead over a croissant has quickly become one of my favorite pastimes. I’ve learned early on that connecting with people over food is the soul of Lyon, and I’m grateful I’ve been able to make it part of my Monday routine.
After our weekly chat, I’m energized to start my day. Since I live in the 9th arrondissement, far from the city center, I take the metro to get where I need to go. The transportation system here is super easy to navigate and a must if you want to get around Lyon. Monday is my shopping day, so I get ready to head to Bellecour, in the 2nd arrondissement, to pick up groceries and stock up on desserts for the week. One important thing about French culture is that most people bring their own reusable bags when they shop. Depending on what I need for the week, I choose which size bag to bring. Since I did a bit of shopping over the weekend, today I’ll only need a small one.

Once I put away my groceries, I head down to the 5th arrondissement, known as Vieux Lyon, or Old Town. It’s a very touristy area filled with restaurants and plenty of bouchons, which are the best places to get traditional Lyonnaise cuisine. Lunch is usually eaten between 12 PM and 2 PM, and most places close after that to prepare for dinner service, which doesn’t start until around 8 PM. Some places stay open for midday service, but that’s rare — many establishments only serve snacks during this time. It took me a little while to adjust to the French schedule, but after a few days, it felt like I’d become a local.

After dinner, I treat myself to a scoop of ice cream before hopping back on the metro to head home. I spend the rest of the evening doing homework and preparing for the next day. Mondays have become super productive and are a great way to start the week strong.

Zin Kyaw

Major: Human Resources & Management

Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin

Program: Centre d’Etudes Franco-Americain de Management (CEFAM) in France