Lyon District: New Brands & Booming Growth

Villeurbanne’s Gratte-Ciel District Welcomes New Wave of Retail and Dining Options

A surge of new businesses is set to revitalize the Gratte-Ciel district in downtown villeurbanne, France, bringing a diverse range of culinary and retail experiences to the area adjacent to Lyon. The Société villeurbanne d’urbanisme (SVU), the commercial operator for the district, recently announced a series of upcoming openings, signaling continued growth and investment in this burgeoning locale.

Did you know? – The Gratte-Ciel district, meaning “skyscraper” in french, was one of the first large-scale urban renewal projects in the Lyon metropolitan area, beginning in the 1960s.

Gastronomy Takes Center Stage

The latest developments highlight a strong focus on high-quality food and beverage offerings. Chocolate connoisseurs will be pleased to learn that Pralus, a renowned chocolatier, will soon establish a location in Villeurbanne, just 200 meters from the town hall. The new store will feature an integrated workshop and laboratory, offering customers a glimpse into the chocolate-making process. According to a company release, the Pralus store is slated to open in time for the end-of-year holidays, following a period of renovations.

Further enhancing the district’s culinary landscape, Vixi, an Italian grocery store, is preparing to open its doors in place of the former fishmonger at 112 rue Anatole-France. The opening is timed to coincide with the end-of-year celebrations. A new cheese shop is also expected to open shortly at 26 rue Paul-Verlaine, taking over the space previously occupied by Fromagerie Verlaine.

Pro tip: – Villeurbanne is easily accessible from Lyon via public transportation, including metro lines and tramways, making it a convenient destination for shoppers and diners.

Expanding Dining Choices

Beyond grocery options, Villeurbanne residents will soon have a new dining destination. Two Friends, a restaurant celebrated for its fusion of Mexican and Californian flavors, is expanding from its two existing locations in downtown Lyon. The new restaurant, planned for 14 rue Paul Verlaine, is expected to open later this month.

For those passionate about cooking, Culinarion, a boutique specializing in culinary tools and ingredients, will be opening at 18 avenue Henri-Barbusse. The store will occupy the space formerly held by San Marina.

Retail Shifts and Future Developments

The retail landscape in Gratte-Ciel is also undergoing changes. Following the retirement of its manager, the Caroll store closed at the end of July. Though, the brand is committed to maintaining a presence in Villeurbanne, relocating to the recently vacated NAF NAF space at 3 avenue Henri-Barbusse, as indicated by the SVU.

Adjacent to the NAF NAF location, at 4 avenue Henri-Barbusse, the SVU is actively seeking a new tenant for the space previously occupied by Intersport. A senior official stated that the SVU intends to prioritize businesses offering leisure activities, sports equipment,

Reader question: – What types of leisure activities or sports equipment would best serve the residents of Villeurbanne and enhance the Gratte-Ciel district?

Why: The Gratte-ciel district is undergoing revitalization with new retail and dining options.
Who: the Société villeurbanne d’urbanisme (SVU) is the key operator driving these changes, along with businesses like Pralus, Vixi, Two friends, Culinarion, and Caroll.
What: New businesses are opening, existing ones are relocating, and the SVU is actively seeking tenants to diversify the district’s offerings. The focus is on gastronomy, with