Places with a history are always fascinating. It sounds simple to say, but it’s so true. In Lyon, our establishments—and restaurants in particular—are wonderful catalysts for memories and legends. From Brasserie Georges, Lyon’s oldest restaurant, to the Café des Fédérations or Le Garet —where Paul Bocuse and Jean Moulin were regulars—Lyon’s history is also (and above all) written on the plates. Let’s continue this wonderful story with Le Casse Museau, another legendary spot in the capital of Gaul.
Le Casse Museau, a restaurant founded in 1947 by Aunt Paulette
Here’s a name that speaks volumes. Does Le Casse Museau want us to tuck in heartily, or is it inviting our noses to take in the enticing aromas of its kitchen? Either way, the name is a hit. A historic establishment founded by Marie-Louise Anteli, also known as Aunt Paulette. She moved from her native Ardèche to Lyon to work and opened this restaurant on Rue Chavanne, which she ran until 1992 —a total of 45 years in the kitchen!
The restaurant’s wooden façade, featuring a profile of Aunt Paulette’s head in the style of a coat of arms, sets the scene: here, we have a date with history! The interior checks all the boxes of a traditional bouchon: small rooms, closely spaced wooden tables, checkered tablecloths, tableware from another era, and just the right amount of frames and pots hanging on the walls.
A menu as simple as it is delicious
As we all know, the tree is judged by its fruit, so let’s get to the heart of the matter: the menu! We’re not telling you anything new, but it’s still worth mentioning: here, you eat classic Lyon-style fare. 5 appetizers, 5 main courses, and 5 desserts. The selection may seem limited, but it’s actually a sign of perfectly mastered home-style cooking— that famous slow-simmered cuisine… Needless to say, everything here is homemade. Each dish seems to tell a story, and your mouth waters just reading the menu— a Pavlovian response that kicks in full force here. Sun-dried artisanal pike quenelle with langoustine sauce and basmati rice, or Aunt Paulette’s garlic-roasted free-range chicken with gratin dauphinois… your stomach is growling!
Today, Le Casse Museau is among the city’s best bouchons.It is rated 4.8/5 on Google and TripAdvisor, and 9.6/10 on The Fork—a signof impeccable excellence. The restaurant has been awarded the Maître Restaurateur and Bouchons Lyonnais labels. From up above, Aunt Paulette can rest in peace…
📍 2 Rue Chavanne, Lyon 1
🍴 €21 per dish and €36 for the three-course menu
❤️ Aunt Paulette’s farm-raised chicken with garlic and Gratin Dauphinois
⏰Open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 PM to 2 PM and 7 PM to 10 PM
