No matter how many times we tick off the shopping list and tape the TODO to the fridge, there’s always something missing… that’s what we call the odds. In Lyon, even though December 25 is undoubtedly one of the most respected public holidays, there are still some die-hard Gauls who keep their store doors open to save your life and help you with your calculations!
Overview of supermarkets and food stores
The great classics, such as shopping malls, remain closed in their entirety on December 25. Westfield La Part-Dieu, Westfield Confluence and Centre Carré de Soie, to name but a few, will remain closed all day.
The vast majority of hypermarkets, supermarkets and convenience stores are also closed. Even those that are usually open on Sundays for convenience are likely to be closed this Thursday. There are a few exceptions, however, such as the Carrefour City in the Gare Part-Dieu concourse (7am to 10pm), Le Petit Casino at Place de la Croix-Rousse (7am to 11.30pm) and Franprix at 143-157 Avenue Berthelot (9am to 8pm).
What about bakeries and tobacconists?
These are often in short supply on December 25… In the case of bakeries, it’s difficult to draw up a list of those open. But many are only open in the morning (until 12:30) to sell the logs, and close in the afternoon. Drop into your local bakery between now and tomorrow evening to make sure it’s open.
As for tobacconists, some of Lyon’s most famous establishments never close, even on Christmas Day. Such is the case of Tabac de la Pêcherie (Quai de la Pêcherie). It has historically been open 365 days a year, often until midnight. Le Gitana, Cours de la Liberté, is also open every day of the year, as is Tabac La Pipe, Avenue Berthelot, which also provides service on December 25.
As for pharmacies, those on call are also open. Call 3237 or check RésoGardes to find the nearest one.
In any case, we advise you to anticipate your purchases before the 25th, as the vast majority of shops will be closed on Thursday, and public transport will also be slow. If you have no choice, check by calling the store directly to see if it has a telephone number available. Schedules on Google Maps are sometimes misleading, and even more so on December 25.