Where to Stay in Lyon? The best areas to stay in Lyon are explained in this post covering also a cost of travel analysis
This guide on the best areas to stay in Lyon is ideal for travelers willing to visit and enjoy the third biggest city in France. Find out below where to stay in one of the most prestigious cities in France.
Lyon is famous for its Festival of Lights and is a cosmopolitan city with a traditional French feeling. Let’s analyze the best places to stay in Lyon, when to visit and your expected travel budget in the city.
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Tourism in Lyon: Overview
Lyon is the third biggest city in France, behind Marseille and Paris. The city is also one of the most visited in France, despite the fact that Paris receives a more higher number of tourists per year.
Founded by the Romans, Lyon thrived through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period. Today, different districts of Lyon are among the list of UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is certainly an excellent place to visit for historians and architecture enthusiasts.
Today, the city is modern, while keeping its history alive in its architecture. The city is not only a tourism destination, but also a business hub. Finally the city is also an important education center in France, receiving thousands of students from different countries every year.
Where to Stay in Lyon
The best places to stay in Lyon are the old town (Vieux Lyon) and the Presqu’île, both situated in the most central part of the city. Let’s learn below a bit more about each one of these places and why they are the best areas to stay in the city.
Vieux Lyon (Old Town)
The old town, known as Vieux Lyon is one of the most beautiful districts of the city. The old town is mostly built in Renaissance architecture, and is one of the largest areas in this type of architecture in Europe.
The area is relative small, with small, picturesque alleys. It is close to the Fourvière hill and definitely one of the best areas to stay in the city.
Presqu’île
The Presqu’île area is much bigger than the Vieux Lyon and includes the 1st and the 2nd and part of the 4th arrondissements of the city. It is the most central area of the city, with a wide variety of hotels, restaurants and bars.
It is also the location of some of the most interesting attractions of the city, like the Place Bellecour and the Hôtel de Ville.
Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu
The Part-Dieu train station is the main railway station in the city, and has also a good location. It can be a good option if you are coming for a short stay. There is a number of relatively affordable hotels near the Part-Dieu train station.
Budget Accommodation in Lyon – €
Hôtel Le Boulevardier – an affordable Hotel in one of the best areas to stay in Lyon.
Le Flâneur Guesthouse – a budget option in the 3rd arrondissement of Lyon.
Reasonably Priced Accommodation in Lyon – €€
Hotel des Celestins – a great accommodation option in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon.
Hotel Elysée – an excellent hotel just a short walk to the Place Bellecour.
Luxurious Hotels in Lyon – €€€
Villa Florentine – one of the most luxurious accommodation options at the heart of the Vieux Lyon area.
Cour des Loges – a luxurious stay in the old town of Lyon.
Cost of Travel
France is known for being a country of high cost of living. It comes as no surprise that overall travel costs in Lyon are expensive. Accommodation and Food are especially expensive, especially if you are eating out at every meal. Transportation is relatively expensive, depending on how often you will need it.
Accommodation in the cityis widely available, and there are options for almost every budgets. Since the overall cost of travel in France is quite elevated, accommodation can be also relatively expensive.
However, if you are a budget traveler, there is a good offer of hostels in both the old town and the Presqu’île area. If you have a flexible budget, there are hotels ranging from affordable B&Bs to luxurious five star hotels.
French cuisine is another highlight of the region, and certainly worth the trip.
Best Months to Visit France
Like most cities in the metropolitan France, the capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region has a quite mild climate with four seasons.
Winter in eastern France is milder than in most European cities. While snowfalls do occur, they are not so frequently and snowy periods rarely last for longer.
The best months to visit the region are from April to late June. The temperature is normally mild and the average hours of sunlight is usually good. In December, the city hosts its prestigious Festival of Lights.
Other Resources for Traveling in France
Lyon has a rather central location in Europe, and it is easy to access a number of countries from it. The city is just a relatively short train ride from countries like Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
If you are traveling around this region, check the best places to stay in Geneva and where to stay in Grenoble. You may also want to check our guide to Nice and the best areas to stay in Milan.