Where to stay in Lyon?

La Presqu'île: staying in the heart of activities

Situated between the Saône and Rhône rivers, the Presqu'île is literally and figuratively the center of Lyon. It's on this stretch of land that the city's main sites of interest are clustered.

Among the many restaurants and bars dotting the Presqu'île are some splendid squares of refined architecture. These include the Place des Jacobins, famous for its fountain, the Place des Célestins with its theater, the Place des Terreaux with its Bartholdi fountain and theHôtel de Ville, and above all the Place Bellecour, Europe's 4th largest square.

Culture lovers will appreciate the presence of museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée de l'Illusion, as well as venues such as the Opéra and theEglise Saint-Nizier.

Finally, the Presqu'île is the ideal place for shopping. Rue de la République and Rue Victor Hugo are home to a majority of stores for the general public, while Rue du Président Herriot and Hôtel Dieu are home to luxury brands.

Staying here is therefore a strategic choice: you're right in the middle of all the sites of interest. Staying here means you can walk to most of the tourist attractions, while benefiting from a location that is particularly well served by public transport and close to the Perrache train station.

On the other hand, this proximity comes at a price. Accommodation is generally rather expensive in this part of Lyon, especially between Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux. To find the best prices, you'll have to move further out towards the Perrache station, or choose another district.

Venturing into Vieux Lyon

Vieux Lyon, along with Fourvière, is the oldest part of the city, but also the most popular with tourists.

It's in the narrow, cobbled streets that you'll find the bouchons lyonnais, small restaurants serving typical local dishes. From charcuterie to cheeses and pralines, you'll find the full range of Lyonnais gastronomy.

This quayside district is also brimming with original little stores: local specialities, souvenirs, crafts or art galleries, you're bound to find something to catch your eye.

But Vieux Lyon isn't just restaurants, bars, nightclubs and boutiques. Above all, it's the world's largest Renaissance district outside Italy. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it's dotted with historic monuments (such as the Cathédrale Saint-Jean), museums (including the Musée Cinéma et Miniature and the Musée des Arts de la Marionnette), traboules and old buildings.

The Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière dominates the heights, watching over the Gallo-Roman theater, its Lugdunum museum and theOdéon de Lyon from afar.

Lodging here is usually quite expensive, but the accommodations have a special charm and are close to the subways, buses and funiculars that take you up to Fourvière and Saint-Just. But staying in a district whose history goes back more than 2,000 years is an experience in itself.

Accommodation in Croix-Rousse, in the footsteps of the Canuts

From the slopes to Cuire, the Croix-Rousse district is as picturesque as it is colorful. Like a small village in the metropolis, Croix-Rousse exudes a relaxed, artistic aura that can't be found anywhere else.

Just climb the slopes to discover the small designer shops, bars, nightclubs and conceptual restaurants that give the area a festive, offbeat atmosphere.

Street art and frescoes regularly cover the walls and steps of this district frequented by Lyon's youth, the best-known of these being the Mur des Canuts.

The Canuts are a recurring element of Croix-Rousse folklore. They were 19th-century weavers who once revolted against working conditions. Their history has left a strong imprint on the district, particularly their know-how, which can be seen at La Maison des Canuts.

Although the Croix-Rousse is very lively both day and night, with numerous bars and restaurants, there are relatively few hotels and youth hostels, which makes it a complicated place to stay. Accommodation prices are more affordable than on the other side of the Saône, but still high.

What's more, it can be hard to get around from the plateau: there are only 3 metro stops and buses don't run very often.

Living near Jean Macé

This time, we're going to take a look at the Jean Macé district along the banks of the Rhône. Both student and residential, it's a great place to live.

Quiet and lively, the Jean Macé area is the ideal place to enjoy a drink along the quayside, discover local beers or original restaurants. It's inspired by "bobo" trends to offer establishments where it's pleasant to unwind at the end of the day, after a day of trudging around Lyon.

In terms of activities, there are relatively few sites of interest. There's the Centre d'Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation, but little else. Instead, you can stroll along the quays and streets, shop at the market or enjoy a drink on a barge. In other words, it's the perfect place to stay.

You can stay in a quiet area, away from the hustle and bustle, but still within easy walking distance of Place Bellecour (only 20 minutes). What's more, the area has excellent transport links, with metro, bus and streetcar services.

Accommodation here is generally more affordable than in the center, although there aren't many hotels either.

Stay close to amenities at Part-Dieu

Part residential and part business district, Part-Dieu is an excellent choice if you're looking for a place to stay in Lyon. The birthplace of the railway station of the same name, this area offers a wide range of mobility, as it is also the departure point for the Rhônexpress shuttle service to Saint-Exupéry airport.

On site, you can enjoy one of Europe's largest shopping malls, the Westfield La Part-Dieu, as well as the Halles Paul Bocuse, a must for all gourmets and lovers of regional produce.

You'll also find the Maurice-Ravel auditorium, which regularly hosts concerts and is home to the Orchestre National de Lyon.

You can take one of the many public transport options (streetcar, metro, bus) to reach the Presqu'île in around 20 minutes, or take a breath of fresh air in the Parc de la Tête d'Or, France's largest urban park.

La Part-Dieu is an excellent alternative where to stay if you're budget-conscious and mobile. Accommodation is plentiful and fairly affordable, as is public transport. So you can stay in complete peace of mind without missing a thing.