In short
Lyon has a real sweet heritage: pink pralines and praline tart, carnival bugnes, the coussin de Lyon and the Saint-Genix praline brioche, plus Christmas papillotes. In a bouchon, desserts are homemade and simple, often chosen instead of cheese in the set menu.
Lyon is famous for quenelles and brioche sausage, but it also has a genuine sweet heritage.
This guide tells you what to taste, when and where — the praline being just one stop.
For the full repertoire, see our page on spécialités lyonnaises.
Why Lyon has a sweet tradition
A city of trade, silk and confectioners, Lyon built its sweets around the calendar: carnival, Christmas, the 8 December lights.
The pink praline became the city's sweet signature.
Bouchons gave desserts their simplest form. Read the history of Lyon's bouchons.
The panorama
The great Lyon sweets to know
Six families of sweets shape sweet Lyon.
Pink pralines and praline tart
Sugar-coated almonds dyed pink, melted with cream into the city's best-known tart.
Bugnes, carnival fritters
Fried dough around Mardi Gras, thin and crisp or soft and puffy.
The coussin de Lyon
Green almond paste around chocolate ganache, tied to a legend from 1643.
Saint-Genix praline brioche
A Savoy brioche studded with pink pralines, adopted by Lyon.
'Gâteau lyonnais' and praline desserts
Pastry chefs' variations on the praline, not a fixed recipe.
Other regional sweets
Cocons de Lyon, Christmas papillotes and sweet matefaim.
Which desserts will you find in a bouchon?
Bouchon desserts are homemade, simple and generous: crème brûlée, praline tart, French toast, fromage blanc.
To understand the ritual, read what is a Lyonnaise bouchon?
Good to know
Cheese or dessert: the bouchon menu rule
Bouchon set menus usually ask you to choose cheese or dessert.
Cervelle de canut or Saint-Marcellin on one side, praline tart on the other.
See our guide to the price of a meal in a Lyon bouchon.
Homemade desserts at Aux Trois Maries
At Aux Trois Maries, born in the middle of the last century, desserts are made in-house:
Pink praline tartlet, chantilly
Served with chantilly.
Brioche French toast
Salted-butter caramel, vanilla ice cream.
Vanilla crème brûlée
The bouchon classic.
Pear poached in red wine
With a gently spiced syrup.
Dark chocolate fondant, hazelnut ice cream
Nine minutes' baking time.
Gourmet coffee, gourmet tea
A hot drink with small sweets.
The menu is seasonal. The Lyonnais Menu ends with cheese or dessert; the Children's Menu with ice cream or sorbet. Current details are on the menu.
Discover our signature dishes.
Through the year
A sweet calendar: desserts by season
Lyon desserts follow seasons and festivals.
December: papillotes and the Festival of Lights
Lyon's sweetest month.
February: bugnes season
Around Mardi Gras only.
Summer: seasonal fruit
Fruit tarts, sorbets and lighter desserts.
All year: pralines and coussins
Safe bets for any visit.
Coming in December? Read what is the Festival of Lights.
Where to taste Lyon sweets in Vieux-Lyon
Walk from Fourvière down to Saint-Jean, tasting pralines, coussins and seasonal bugnes along the way.
Then finish at the table on rue des Trois-Maries, near place de la Baleine.
What to visit in Vieux-LyonA weekend in Lyon: 48-hour itinerary
Pralines keep well; brioche lasts a day or two; bugnes and tarts are best eaten on the spot.
Our gift vouchers offer a table on rue des Trois-Maries.
Taking home or giving Lyon sweets
Frequently asked
Lyon desserts: your questions
What is Lyon's most typical dessert?
Praline tart, followed by bugnes and the coussin de Lyon.
What should I eat for dessert in Lyon?
Bouchon desserts, praline brioche, coussins, seasonal bugnes.
Are bouchon desserts homemade?
In a serious bouchon, yes.
Are there desserts for special diets?
It depends on the current menu; tell us when booking. See our gluten-free page.
Why are pralines pink?
A food colouring added to the sugar coating.
When can I find bugnes in Lyon?
Around Mardi Gras, roughly January to March.
Explore the house
Also worth reading and visiting
Going further
Find the whole repertoire on our page spécialités lyonnaises.
End your meal with a pink praline tartlet?
Book your table on rue des Trois-Maries, in the heart of Vieux-Lyon.
Or by phone: +33 4 78 37 67 28