The Best Areas to Stay in Lyon, France
The Best Areas to Stay in Lyon, France

Best Areas to Stay in Lyon, France

Where to stay in Lyon – An accommodation guide to this French city

Called Lugdunum by the Romans, the city of Lyon is the second largest city in France and one of the most sought-after travel destinations in the country.

Lyon is located in the center-south of France, very close to the Swiss border and the imposing summits of the Alps, right at the confluence of the meandering Rhone and Saone rivers.

The old Lugdunum can boast several titles that even its great rival, Paris, can not contest.

Lyon is the true capital of French gastronomy, as well as being a cultural, financial and educational hub at national and European level.

Its location in the center-south of France and the fact that it is so close to the high peaks of the Alps, make Lyon a city of diverse climate. Lyonnais winters are very cold and its summers are warm and humid.

The city of Lyon has an excellent transportation system, in which several metro, funicular, train and bus lines connect almost the entire city.

Despite it not being Paris, accommodation rates in Lyon are usually quite high. A four-star hotel in the city centre can cost around €70 – €90, while a three-star hotel costs around €50. See accommodation in central Lyon.

When it comes about the best areas to stay, no doubt the neighborhood of Vieux Lyon is the one with the most charm (see hotels in Vieux Lyon). The most central area is La Presqu’Ile (see hotels in La Presqu’Ile). If you are looking for cheaper options, then the 7th District is probably the best district to stay in Lyon (see hotels in the 7th District).

Best areas to stay in Lyon, France

1. Our Favourite Area: Vieux Lyon

Vieux Lyon is located west of the Saône River and is characterized by its brightly colored facades and its small shops, boulangeries and local brand boutiques.

Vieux Lyon, in English “Old Lyon” is definitely the area to stay in Lyon if you are looking for a charming neighbourhood and ancient buildings.

The old town of Lyon was built next to the side of a hill where some of the most representative buildings of the city stand, such as the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière (Our Lady of Fourvière).

Vieux Lyon is a colorful and magnificent area, with few hotels but of great quality. It is an area that reflects the beauty of Lyon and its historical importance as a center of commerce between the peoples of Europe.

From Vieux Lyon you can easily walk to the rest of the city. Also, in the vicinity of this neighborhood you can find the Vieux Lyon – Cathédrale Saint-Jean metro stop, so getting around Lyon is no problem.

Vieux Lyon is the most recommended area for sightseeing in this French city.

Best areas to stay in Lyon France - Vieux Lyon
Best areas to stay in Lyon France – Vieux Lyon
Staying in Vieux Lyon - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Staying in Vieux Lyon – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Lyon:

  • True heart of the city
  • Hills with views
  • Medieval atmosphere
  • Shopping and entertainment
  • Great attractions
  • Charming hotels and guesthouses

2. La Presqu’Ile

This neighborhood is part of the UNESCO World Heritage district of Lyon.

La Presqu’Ile is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Lyon, no questions about it.

Presqu’Ile, means “peninsula” in English and there is no better way to define this elegant area: it is at the confluence point of the Rhône and Saône rivers.

La Presqu’Ile can be considered “Lyon’s city centre”, although Vieux Lyon would surely have something to say about it.

This district is the most important commercial and shopping area in Lyon, with a great variety of architecture that includes all styles from Romanesque to contemporary avant-garde.

The arrondissements 1, 2 and 4 of Lyon converge in this land peninsula, which is also a hub for the majority of metro lines in the city.

La Presqu’Ile is an elegant and attractive area to stay.

Rue de la Republique, the most important commercial thoroughfare in Lyon is located in La Presqu’Ile.

La Presqu’Ile is undoubtedly the quartier par excellence of visitors who want to be close to the attractions of Lyon and at the same time well connected to the rest of the city.

Best districts to stay in Lyon - LaPresqu’Ile
Best districts to stay in Lyon – LaPresqu’Ile
Staying in La Presqu’Ile - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Staying in La Presqu’Ile – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Lyon:

  • Diverse architecture
  • Best area for shopping
  • Great metro connections
  • Great food
  • Walking distance to most attractions
  • Active day and night

3. 3e Arrondissement

The Third District of the city of Lyon is located next to the city centre, on the east bank of the Rhone.

Although it is a very large arrondissement (it’s actually the most populated district in the city), the 3rd arrondissement, especially the area bordering the Rhone river, can be considered part of what we could consider “Downtown Lyon”.

This diverse neighborhood is Lyon’s economic epicenter, concentrating most of its skyscrapers and most emblematic modern buildings such as the Tour Swiss Life, Tour Incity, Tour Oxygène and Tour Part-Dieu.

The 3e Arrondissement is without a doubt the best areas to stay in Lyon for business travelers.

Many international chain and business style accommodation options are located here.

This neighborhood is connected to the rest of Lyon thanks to metro lines B and D, so accessing places like Vieux Lyon or the TGV station is quite easy.

The views of the city offered by some of the hotels in this area are no doubt sublime and, being a less desirable area to stay than Viieux Lyon or the peninsula, many high quality hotels in this quartier have more than reasonable rates.

Dónde alojarse en Lyon - 3e arrondissement
Dónde alojarse en Lyon – 3e arrondissement
Staying in el 3rd District - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Staying in el 3rd District – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Lyon:

  • Very central
  • Best area to stay in Lyon for business
  • Great metro connections
  • Financial District
  • Contemporary architecture
  • Business-style accommodation

4. 7e Arrondissement

The 7th district of Lyon is connected by the metro lines B and D.

This is the largest of all Lyon districts.

District 7 is located south of the city centre, in a flat territory of the alluvial plain of the Rhone river.

The constant flooding of the river, constantly destroying the residential areas until the construction of its embankments and dams have had a profound impact on the development of this neighborhood, including a famous catastrophic flood in 1852, still present in the historical memory of the city.

This district has been, since its inception, a working class area, with a high proportion of expatriates from different parts of the world, particularly from the regions that were part of the French colonies.

Currently the Seventh is going through a process of gentrification and today is one of the coolest districts of Lyon.

The 7th district could be considered the hipster area par excellence of Lyon.

It has a large number of ethnic restaurants, antique and second-hand stores, and small local designers boutiques.

Best location to stay in Lyon - 7e Arrondissement
Best location to stay in Lyon – 7e Arrondissement
Staying in 7e Arrondissement - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Staying in 7e Arrondissement – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Lyon:

  • Vintage and second-hand stores
  • Connected by metro
  • Hipster vibe
  • Rhone river
  • Varied restaurants
  • Budget accommodation

5. 6e Arrondissement

The sixth district of Lyon is the most elegant, chic and bourgeois area in the city of Lyon, where most of Lyon’s high society lives and plays.

This neighborhood is located in the northeast area of ​​the center, on the east bank of the Rhone River.

Its main tourist attraction is the fantastic Parc de la Tête d’Or (Golden Head Park), an elegant green area full of paths, wooded areas, sculptures, fountains and meadows where you can relax after a long day in the summer.

Its wide boulevards (rue Duquesne, des Belges, Avenue Foch, Franklin Roosevelt) and its shaded places (Marshal Lyautey place, Helvetia place, Edgar-Quinet place and Place Jules-Ferry) are surrounded by beautiful buildings and belle arts style mansions. Most of Boulevard des Belges offers views of the Tête d’Or park.

As expected, the 6th arrondissement of Lyon is a shopping district focused on the luxury niche. Its main stores are around Franklin-Roosevelt Boulevard and Saxe Avenue.

This area has a large number of luxury hotels, aparthotels and is the best place to stay in Lyon for a high-end visit to this French city.

The 6e Arrondissement is connected to the rest of the city by lines A and B of the Lyon metro.

Dónde dormir en Oakland, California - Downtown Dónde dormir en Oakland, California – Downtown

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Lyon:

  • Quite central
  • Best area for a luxurious stay
  • Great metro connections
  • High-end restaurants
  • Chic area
  • Luxury shopping

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Dónde alojarse en Lyon, Francia.