Best neighborhoods for students
- 7e — Guillotière / Gerland 94/100
- 1er — Terreaux / Pentes de la Croix-Rousse 88/100
- 4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau) 82/100
- 8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis 82/100
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LifeSkills city guide
Lione
France
Third city in France and capital of gastronomy, Lyon is located at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone, with a historic center that is a UNESCO heritage site. It is one of the largest university centers in the country (Lyon 1, 2, 3, ENS, INSA, emlyon) and a solid economic engine (biotech in Gerland, tertiary in Part-Dieu). It offers an excellent quality of life at much lower costs than Paris, with the Alps and Geneva one hour away and Paris two hours by TGV. Compact and well connected, it is a favorite destination for students and young professionals.
Safety 70/100
Affordability 58/100
Student-friendly 88/100
Nightlife 78/100
Transport 86/100
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
Interactive map
Arrondissements di Lione
Official administrative boundaries: Arrondissements. Select an area to view the available data.
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Boundary source: API Découpage administratif — République française (Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab)). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Neighborhood ranking
Best neighborhoods for nightlife
- 1er — Terreaux / Pentes de la Croix-Rousse 88/100
- 2e — Presqu’île / Confluence 80/100
- 7e — Guillotière / Gerland 94/100
- 4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau) 82/100
Best neighborhoods for quiet living
- 6e — Brotteaux / Parc de la Tête d’Or 84/100
- 4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau) 82/100
- 9e — Vaise / La Duchère 76/100
- 8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis 82/100
Best neighborhoods for low rent
- 9e — Vaise / La Duchère 430 EUR
- 8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis 440 EUR
- 7e — Guillotière / Gerland 470 EUR
- 3e — Part-Dieu 480 EUR
Best neighborhoods for safety
- 6e — Brotteaux / Parc de la Tête d’Or 84/100
- 4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau) 82/100
- 2e — Presqu’île / Confluence 80/100
- 1er — Terreaux / Pentes de la Croix-Rousse 88/100
Neighborhood cards
Where to live in Lione
7e — Guillotière / Gerland
Student hub7e — Guillotière / Gerland: The large university center: the campuses of Lyon 2, Lyon 3, ENS and emlyon (Gerland), the lively multicultural Guillotière. Young, lively and accessible
- Room
- 470 EUR
- Studio
- 660 EUR
- Apartment
- 920 EUR
Safety 66 Student-friendly 94 Nightlife 74 Commute 88
Pros
- student-friendly: 94/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 470 EUR.
- Useful for Université Lyon 2 (Berges du Rhône).
Cons
- Safety score is 66/100: inspect the exact street and building.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
1er — Terreaux / Pentes de la Croix-Rousse
Nightlife1er — Terreaux / Pentes de la Croix-Rousse: The lively heart on the Presqu'île: Place des Terreaux, the Hôtel de Ville and the bohemian slopes of the Croix-Rousse. Nightlife, culture and life at any time
- Room
- 500 EUR
- Studio
- 720 EUR
- Apartment
- 1,000 EUR
Safety 70 Student-friendly 88 Nightlife 88 Commute 92
Pros
- transport: 92/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 500 EUR.
- Useful for Lyon 2 / Lyon 3 (by metro).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau)
Balanced4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau): The “village” on the hill: the former neighborhood of the canut (silk weavers), today bohemian and family-friendly, with markets, views and a strong neighborhood life
- Room
- 490 EUR
- Studio
- 700 EUR
- Apartment
- 980 EUR
Safety 80 Student-friendly 82 Nightlife 66 Commute 84
Pros
- transport: 84/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 490 EUR.
- Useful for Lyon 1 / Lyon 2 (by metro).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis
Lower rent8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis: Residential and popular in the south-east: Monplaisir (cradle of Lumière cinema), the Manufacture of Lyon 3 and lower rents. Convenient and developing
- Room
- 440 EUR
- Studio
- 600 EUR
- Apartment
- 850 EUR
Safety 66 Student-friendly 82 Nightlife 54 Commute 84
Pros
- transport: 84/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 440 EUR.
- Useful for Université Lyon 3 (Manufacture des Tabacs).
Cons
- Safety score is 66/100: inspect the exact street and building.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Study
Major universities in Lione
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
Public (science, medicine, sports; ~47,000 students)
MedicineSciencePharmacyEngineeringSports sciences
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- 6e — Brotteaux / Parc de la Tête d'Or10-20 min (La Doua)
- 8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis10-20 min (Rockefeller, medicine)
- 3e — Part-Dieu15-25 min
Université Lumière Lyon 2
Public (humanities and social sciences; ~30,000 students)
Human sciencesSocial sciencesEconomyLettersPsychologyLanguages
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- 7e — Guillotière / Gerland5-15 min (Berges du Rhône)
- 2e — Presqu'île / Confluence10-20 min
- 3e — Part-Dieu10-20 min
Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3
Public (law, economics, literature; ~30,000 students)
RightEconomy and managementLettersPhilosophyLanguages
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- 8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis5-15 min (Manufacture of Tabacs)
- 3e — Part-Dieu5-15 min
- 7e — Guillotière / Gerland10-20 min
ENS de Lyon
Elite public grande école (research and higher education)
ScienceLettersHuman sciencesResearchTraining of researchers
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- 7e — Guillotière / Gerland5-15 min (Gerland)
- 2e — Presqu'île / Confluence10-20 min
- 8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis15-25 min
emlyon business school
Large private business school (international, in English and French)
ManagementMasters in ManagementMBAFinanceEntrepreneurship
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- 7e — Guillotière / Gerland5-15 min (new Gerland campus)
- 2e — Presqu'île / Confluence10-20 min
- 3e — Part-Dieu15-25 min
Rent analysis
Average rent by neighborhood
Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.
| Neighborhood cards | Room | Studio | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1er — Terreaux / Pentes de la Croix-Rousse | 500 EUR | 720 EUR | 1,000 EUR |
| 2e — Presqu’île / Confluence | 520 EUR | 750 EUR | 1,050 EUR |
| 3e — Part-Dieu | 480 EUR | 680 EUR | 950 EUR |
| 4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau) | 490 EUR | 700 EUR | 980 EUR |
| 6e — Brotteaux / Parc de la Tête d’Or | 520 EUR | 740 EUR | 1,050 EUR |
| 7e — Guillotière / Gerland | 470 EUR | 660 EUR | 920 EUR |
| 8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis | 440 EUR | 600 EUR | 850 EUR |
| 9e — Vaise / La Duchère | 430 EUR | 580 EUR | 820 EUR |
Cheapest: 9e — Vaise / La Duchère, 8e — Monplaisir / États-Unis, 7e — Guillotière / Gerland
Mid-range: 7e — Guillotière / Gerland, 3e — Part-Dieu, 4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau)
Premium: 2e — Presqu’île / Confluence, 6e — Brotteaux / Parc de la Tête d’Or, 1er — Terreaux / Pentes de la Croix-Rousse
Safety
Safety notes
Safer neighborhoods
6e — Brotteaux / Parc de la Tête d'Or, 4e — Croix-Rousse (plateau), 2e — Presqu'île / Confluence
Areas to be careful with
the Guillotière (7e) and some areas of the Part-Dieu in the evening, surrounding the stations (Part-Dieu, Perrache) at night, pickpocketing in tourist places and on crowded vehicles
- Lyon is a large, liveable city overall: violent crime is contained, but petty crime (pickpocketing) is present in crowded areas, on vehicles and around stations.
- Perception changes from street to street and between day and night: evaluate the building, street and evening commute, not just the name of the arrondissement. La Guillotière in particular is very lively but uneven.
- For late returns, the night bus lines (Pleine Lune) cover weekends; in the busiest areas it is better to move along illuminated and busy streets.
Student perspective: Students: 7e (Guillotière/Gerland) is the heart of the campuses (Lyon 2, Lyon 3, ENS, emlyon); the 1er and the pentes are the liveliest; 8e and 9e are the most accessible. Many students also live in Villeurbanne (adjacent, campus de la Doua). The TCL subscription at ~26 EUR and the Visale guarantee help a lot.
Nightlife
Where to go out
Pentes de la Croix-Rousse (1er)
bars, independent clubs, bohemian nightlife
The slopes of the Croix-Rousse, between stairways and traboules, are full of bars and alternative venues: the heart of the young and creative night.
Rue Sainte-Catherine (1er)
pubs, going out during the week, young people
The busiest bar street on the Presqu'île, very popular with students especially at the beginning of the week.
Berges du Rhône
bar on boats, aperitifs, summer
The banks of the Rhone and the "péniches" (moored boat-bars) are the summer meeting place for aperitifs and evenings on the water.
Guillotière (7e)
multicultural clubs, cuisine, cheap bars
Multicultural and student neighborhood with cheap bars and restaurants from all over the world, lively until late.
Confluence (2e)
clubs, events, modern venues
The modern neighborhood to the south is home to clubs and event halls (such as Le Sucre), the most contemporary scene of Lyon's nightlife.
Transport
Getting around Lione
Lyon has excellent, compact public transport, operated by TCL under SYTRAL: four metro lines, trams, funiculars and a dense bus network, plus bike-sharing pioneer Vélo'v. With a single season ticket (or integrated ticket) you can travel on all means of transport. The city is compact and well connected, with Part-Dieu and Perrache as railway hubs.
Metro Metro: 4 lines (A, B, C, D) which cover the city extensively; line C goes up the Croix-Rousse and line D is among the busiest in EuropeFuniculars: two historic funiculars connect Vieux Lyon to Fourvière hill and Saint-JustTram: seven lines (T1-T7) connect the campuses (La Doua, Bron), hospitals, stadiums and the airport (Rhônexpress for Saint-Exupéry)
Tram / busThe TCL bus network is widespread and integrates metro and tram, with night lines (Pleine Lune) on weekends; the tram mainly serves university campuses and the suburbs. Everything is covered by the TCL subscription.
TrainLyon is a large railway hub: two stations (Part-Dieu and Perrache) with TGV to Paris in ~2 hours, Marseille in ~1h40, Geneva and the nearby Alps; Lyon-Saint-Exupéry airport is connected by the Rhônexpress tram-train in ~30 minutes.
Pass info Single ticket ~2.10 EURdaily and carnet availableTCL monthly pass (zones 1-2) 74.10 EUR (adults)students and 18-25 year olds ~26 EUR/monthscholarship holders ~11 EUR/monthVélo'v (bike sharing) with cheap passes
WalkabilityExcellent: the center (Presqu'île, Vieux Lyon, pentes) is compact and largely pedestrian, pleasant to walk around between the two rivers; only the hills (Croix-Rousse, Fourvière) require some climbing or the funicular.
Bike-friendlinessVery good: Lyon launched Vélo'v, one of the first major bike sharing systems in the world, and has an extensive and growing cycle network along the two rivers; the lower part of the city is flat, the hills less suitable.
Transport sources TCL / SYTRAL — Rete e tariffe del trasporto pubblico di LioneSNCF — Treni, TGV e collegamenti (Parigi, Marsiglia, Ginevra)Ville de Lyon — Vélo’v e mobilità ciclabile
Cost of living
Monthly budget estimate
Reference monthly budget 800-1,250 EUR/month
single room + utilities + groceries + subscription · excluding university fees
Spending items
Food around 250-380 EUR/month (personal spending) cheap meal ~15 EUR
Transport TCL monthly pass (zones 1-2): EUR 74.10 (adults). Students and 18-25 year olds: 26 EUR/month fellows ~11 EUR/month. Single ticket ~2.10 EUR
Utilities approximately EUR 235 for 85 m² sharing 60-95 EUR per person
Coffee / bars cappuccino approximately EUR 3.50 cheap meal around 15 EUR
- Lyon is much cheaper than Paris despite being a big city: a room often costs 430-520 EUR and a studio apartment in the center is around 800 EUR. The most accessible areas (8e, 9e, part of 7e) remain below average.
- Transport for young people is cheap: the TCL season ticket for students and under 25s costs around EUR 26 per month (EUR 11 for scholarship holders) for unlimited travel on the metro, tram, funicular and bus.
- Rental entire apartment: ~590 EUR outside the center and ~820 EUR in the center for a two-room apartment, according to the Numbeo range for Lyon.
- As in Paris, to rent you need a solid dossier and often a guarantor; for students there is the Visale public guarantee and the CROUS residences at controlled prices.
- Food, utilities and coffee costs are estimates for one person based on average Numbeo prices for Lyon; markets and bouchons (typical trattorias) allow you to eat well without spending too much.
Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a LioneTCL / SYTRAL — Abbonamenti e tariffe del trasporto pubblico di Lione 2026
Decision guide
Pros and cons of living in Lione
5 strengths
- Lyon has excellent, compact public transport, operated by TCL under SYTRAL: four metro lines, trams, funiculars and a dense bus network, plus bike-sharing pioneer Vélo'v. With a single season ticket (or integrated ticket) you can travel on all means of transport. The city is compact and well connected, with Part-Dieu and Perrache as railway hubs.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université Lumière Lyon 2, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3: poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
- Students: 7e (Guillotière/Gerland) is the heart of the campuses (Lyon 2, Lyon 3, ENS, emlyon); the 1er and the pentes are the liveliest; 8e and 9e are the most accessible. Many students also live in Villeurbanne (adjacent, campus de la Doua). The TCL subscription at ~26 EUR and the Visale guarantee help a lot.
- Lyon is much cheaper than Paris despite being a big city: a room often costs 430-520 EUR and a studio apartment in the center is around 800 EUR. The most accessible areas (8e, 9e, part of 7e) remain below average.
- 1er — Terreaux / Pentes de la Croix-Rousse, 2e — Presqu’île / Confluence, 3e — Part-Dieu sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.
5 drawbacks
- Lyon is a large, liveable city overall: violent crime is contained, but petty crime (pickpocketing) is present in crowded areas, on vehicles and around stations.
- Transport for young people is cheap: the TCL season ticket for students and under 25s costs around EUR 26 per month (EUR 11 for scholarship holders) for unlimited travel on the metro, tram, funicular and bus.
- Prices among the highest in the city
- Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
FAQ
Questions about moving to Lione
Is Lyon a good city for students?
Yes, a lot: it is one of the largest university centers in France (after Paris), with Lyon 1, Lyon 2, Lyon 3, the ENS, the INSA and emlyon, over 150,000 students and a lively cultural life. The cost of living is much lower than Paris and transportation for students costs around 26 EUR per month. The quality of life is high, with the Alps and Geneva an hour away.
Is Lyon a good city for workers?
Yes: it is a solid economic engine, with services and corporate headquarters in Part-Dieu and Confluence, a strong biotech and health hub in Gerland (bioMérieux, Sanofi) and a growing tech sector in Vaise. The job market is large and the location (2 hours from Paris, close to Geneva and Italy) is strategic.
Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?
For students: the 7e (Guillotière/Gerland, heart of the campuses), the 1er pentes for life, the 8e and 9e for lower prices. For those who work: the 3e (Part-Dieu) and the 2e (Confluence). For families and quiet: the 6e (Brotteaux) and the 4e (Croix-Rousse).
Which neighborhoods are cheapest?
The 8e (Monplaisir/États-Unis) and the 9e (Vaise/La Duchère) have the most accessible rents while remaining well connected by the metro. Part of the 7e and nearby Villeurbanne also offer good prices close to university campuses.
Is public transport convenient?
A lot: Lyon has four metro lines, trams, funiculars and a dense bus network (TCL), all integrated, plus Vélo'v bike sharing. The city is compact and well connected; with the student subscription at ~26 EUR per month you can move everywhere. The airport can be reached by Rhônexpress in ~30 minutes.
How much budget is needed?
For a student approximately 800-1,250 EUR per month between room, utilities, expenses and subscription; university fees (low in the public sector) are extra. Those who work most often fall between 1,400 and 2,100 EUR, depending on the area and type of accommodation.
How is living in Lyon compared to Paris?
Lyon offers most of the advantages of a big city - universities, work, culture, gastronomy, transport - at a much lower cost and with a more liveable pace. Rents are about half of Paris and the city is more compact. In return, the offer is smaller and some sectors are less developed than in the capital. For many students and young professionals it is the best compromise in France.