Where to Stay in Lyon, France

The Best Areas to Stay in Lyon

Lyon offers diverse neighborhoods, each with their unique atmosphere, so the area you choose to stay depends on the experience desired. No single neighborhood tops tourist attractions, concentrated downtown making strolls pleasing, but some justify public transport farther out, and links work well.

Many high-quality hotels in Lyon are situated in the center, notably in the neighborhoods of Vieux Lyon and La Presqu’île. Additional outstanding accommodation choices set a bit farther out also exist, particularly in Fourvière, Brotteaux, and Part-Dieu. Good mid-range and budget alternatives can be found in Croix-Rousse, the Pentes area, and Guillotière.

La Presqu`île is the urban center, situated on the narrow peninsula between the Rhône and Saône rivers. From Ampère in the south to Hôtel de Ville in the north, it is one of the grandest parts of the city, with its classic 19th-century French architecture. It is home to acres of upscale shopping, some of the city’s top attractions, and many pedestrian streets filled with restaurants and bars, making it a magnet for tourists. There is also a wide range of lodging options and good transport links via Métro A and D.

Vieux Lyon lies west across the Saône River. The largest preserved Renaissance town in France, it is the most iconic and tourist-heavy part of the city. It’s full of colorful, Italian-style palaces that now house some luxury hotels and cheaper guest houses. It’s also central and walkable, with bridges providing simple connections to La Presqu’île and the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse.

Fourvière is the hill located directly to the west of Old Lyon. It’s an excellent location for those interested in Roman history as well as scenic views, as it was the site of ancient Lugdunum. Mainly residential with some notable attractions; there are some highly selective hotels, but budget options are also available. It is somewhat farther from the center and the medieval streets are steep, but fortunately there are 2 funicular railways connecting the area to Old Lyon.

The Pentes (slopes) de la Croix-Rousse is located north of La Presqu`île, accessible via numerous staircases leading up to the Croix-Rousse plateau. It is a vibrant district with a bohemian atmosphere, full of excellent eateries, bars, boutiques, and artist workshops. Situated just north of the city center, it is easy to arrive on foot or by using the Métro C line.

Croix-Rousse properly is further north, perched on the highest part of the mound. Once autonomous, this residential neighborhood still has a village air, despite being a brief walk or shorter Métro C ride to the center. More affordable to stay than more central areas, there is plenty of superior local nourishment and some ultra museums focusing on the silk-weaving industry for which Croix-Rousse was well known.

Confluence is situated south of the central Presqu`île region, extending from Perrache station to the confluence of the rivers. This former industrial and port district has undergone an extensive urban redevelopment, representing the largest such project in Europe. Visitors can stay amid cutting-edge sustainable designs while enjoying great shopping, nightlife, and the very unique Musée des Confluences museum. It`s a bit farther from other attractions but connected via Tram 1.

Guillotière lies on the Rive Gauche (east bank) of the Rhône, from roughly around Cours Gambetta in the north to around Avenue Berthelot in the south. Youthful, multicultural, and rapidly gentrifying, this area is becoming an alternate cultural hub with magnificent restaurants, bars, and galleries popping up. Accommodation is cheaper and there are good links to the center via Métros B and D.

Part-Dieu lies north of Pont de la Guillotière, sandwiched between the Rhône River and Part-Dieu station. This constitutes the financial district, home to landmark skyscrapers and gourmet cuisine at Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse market, with few attractions but good shopping options. Mainly chain hotels but also pleasant guesthouses. Situated near the core but across the Rhône, with terrific bars and live music venues along the waterfront. Part-Dieu station provides direct train links to Paris and trams to Lyon Saint-Exupéry airport.

Brotteaux is an upscale residential area north of the Part-Dieu district, beginning at Pont Lafayette. The locale features numerous luxury apartment complexes and hotels, in addition to top-rated restaurants and bars, though it has fewer attractions. However, there are excellent transportation links to the center and airport via Métro lines A and B.

Cité Internationale is situated to the north of Brotteaux, around the huge Parc de la Tête d’Or. It centers on a newly designed complex by Renzo Piano, which includes luxury flats and hotels as well as the Musée d’Art Contemporain. Further away from other attractions, but buses and Métros A and B will get you where you need to go.

The Best Places to Stay in Lyon

• Best Luxury Hotels in Lyon

  Of course, visitors could also reserve a private shuttle from the airport. Many lodging facilities in Puerto de la Cruz also offer pick-up assistance for an additional fee.

• Best Boutique Hotels in Lyon
  Cour des Loges • Collège Hotel • Okko Hotels Pont Lafayette
• Best Cheap Hotels in Lyon
  Mob Hotel • Slo Living Hostel • Away Hostel

Best Areas in Lyon for…

• Prime District in Lyon For Seeing Attractions: Vieux Lyon
  Exploring old Lyon involves simply rounding the corner to admire the additional medieval and Renaissance architecture contributing to its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Search for traboules, hidden routes mainly constructed by silk weavers to transport their goods. If art museums and 19th century architectural designs excite your interests, make your way over to La Presqu`île for gems like the Museum of Fine Arts.
• Most Vibrant Area in Lyon at Night: Guillotière
  Excellent places for going out at night are spread all over the city. The Confluence has music venues like Marché Gare and clubs like Le Sucre, where you can dance to well-known electronic DJs on the roof of a sugar factory transformed modern art gallery. In the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse, there are funky bars and music venues clustered around Croix-Paquet and Montée de la Grande-Côte. La Presqu`île has some very cool cocktail bars, especially in Grand Hôtel-Dieu. Floating bars hosting DJs line the bank of the Rhône in Part-Dieu. But for the newest and most popular spots, a great mix of craft beer, cocktails, and concert venues, head to Guillotière.
• Best Area in Lyon for Food and Restaurants: Pentes de la Croix-Rousse
  In food-focused Lyon, there is serious competition for the area with the best cuisine. Multicultural Guillotière has many places for delightful casual dining, from French to Swedish and Korean food. Part-Dieu has Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the renowned indoor market loaded wall-to-wall with quality food. Brotteaux is exceptional for high-end dining, with multiple Michelin-starred places such as Pierre Orsi, as well as Bernachon for some of the best chocolates and cakes in the city. La Presqu’île has numerous restaurant gems, both relaxed and formal. The Pentes de la Croix-Rousse has some of the most varied and tastiest cuisines, concentrated around Rue de la Martinière in the west and Rue Royale in the east.
• The best areas in Lyon for families include Brotteaux, Cité Internationale, and Croix-Rousse
  Brotteaux and Cité Internationale are sensible choices, being mainly serene residential zones near Parc de la Tête d’Or. The park extends significantly and contains a lot of family-friendly attractions, like boating on a lake, a sizable free zoo, mini kart racing, a little train that tours the park, and a Guignol puppet theater. Croix-Rousse is also a good choice and more budget-friendly, with a gentler, welcoming atmosphere. You are removed from the tourist crowds but with straightforward links to downtown. There are fun food and flea markets, La Vogue aux Marrons carnival in October and November, and parks to unwind in such as Parc de la Cerisaie Transportation will be provided to meet you at the ferry terminal, with a sign bearing your name You can’t go wrong if you base yourself in Vieux Lyon – it’s central, packed with sights, and feels like you’ve been transported back in time. The area has accommodation to suit any budget.
• For romance, the historic Vieux Lyon neighborhood of Lyon is highly recommended.

Fourvière offers dizzying views from exclusive hotels and restaurants positioned high above the bustle of the city. Brotteaux has elegant dining and boutiques along Cours Vitton. The Pentes de la Croix-Rousse has a bohemian air and lovely lodging in traditional tall houses originally constructed as silk-weaving workshops. But for an unrestricted romantic experience combined with luxury accommodations, fine dining, and charming scenery all in one location, Vieux Lyon is unmatched.

• Top area in Lyon for community feel: Croix-Rousse

Croix-Rousse was once an independent town and retains that spirit, still full of independent businesses and restaurants and hosts a popular food market as well as an autumn festival, La Vogue aux Marrons. Guillotière is part of the young, creative, up-and-coming 7th arrondissement, and travelers looking for art and an alternative vibe will find it here.

• Best Areas in Lyon for Leisurely Strolls: Vieux Lyon and La Presqu’île
  Much of Lyon is enjoyable to explore on foot with many pedestrianized areas. The narrow cobbled lanes of Vieux Lyon practically demand you lose yourself in them. La Presqu’île is also very walkable. The stairways of the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse and Fourvière are fun to investigate on foot, though you may also appreciate the metro and funicular on your return.
• Safest Areas of Lyon
  Residential areas in Brotteaux, Cité Internationale, Fourvière, and Croix-Rousse tend to be quite secure. Vieux Lyon and the sloping streets of Croix-Rousse are also safe but highly populated by visitors, so the typical precautions against petty theft apply. Streets containing numerous bars, such as Rue Sainte Catherine in the sloping streets, are excellent although they become lively and fairly loud at night.
• Unsafe Areas of Lyon
  The area around Perrache is undergoing revitalization but can feel somewhat unsafe at night. The surroundings of the Guillotière métro are also rather run-down, but for both, normal precautions at night are sufficient. The rest of Guillotière is very safe and tourists are more likely to run into problems such as pickpockets in the center.

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Lyon for Tourists

1. La Presqu’ile

The UNESCO protected heart of Lyon is attractively located between the Rhone and Saone Rivers, bounded to the north by the slopes of Croix-Rousse and to the south by Perrache station and the Confluence. It exudes French charm, with streets of classical nineteenth-century architecture and picturesque squares containing fountains such as Place des Terreaux and Place des Jacobins. This central area serves as the city’s primary shopping district – one can find designers on Rue de Brest and the parallel Rue du President Edouard Herriot, and more accessible fashion along Rue de la Republique. There are also numerous top attractions located here, like the Museum of Fine Arts, Church of St. Nizier, Museum of Textiles and Decorative Arts, and Printing Museum – the latter two commemorating Lyon’s history as a center of silk weaving and printing. Many roads are restricted to pedestrians and lined with eateries and bars; there are lively spots for going out notably around Rue de la Republique and the newly developed Grand Hotel-Dieu. Both excellent luxury hotels and more affordable options are available in the vicinity.

• Top Hotels:Hotel Le Royal – Sofitel Bellecour – MiHotel Gailleton
• Best Inexpensive/Moderate Hotel: Hotel Le Boulevardier

2. Vieux Lyon

The medieval and Renaissance center of Lyon previously stood here, on the west bank of the Saône River, before gradually spreading further east. Remaining is a remarkably preserved assortment of Italian hues and narrow streets filled with lavish townhouses from when Lyon served as a trading and banking hub between Italy and the Netherlands. The atmosphere in this protected UNESCO area with its hidden walkways is unmatched, though it does get busy with tourists. Attractions include the Gothic/Romanesque cathedral, both fine and unusual museums, and boutiques and artisans’ workshops for purchasing unique gifts. While mostly catering to visitors, some outstanding restaurants exist, like those with Michelin stars. You can also stay in a guest house or boutique hotel within one of the beautiful period buildings.

• Best Hotels: Villa Florentine – Cour des Loges
• Best Budget/Moderate Hotels:Collège Hotel – Hôtel Saint Paul

3. Fourvière

Known as `the hill that prays`, its peaceful residential area overlooks the city from the west. Steep medieval streets, some being long stairways, wind up from Vieux Lyon to the top where the views are tremendous; alternatively, there are also two funicular railways. The finest remains of Roman Lugdunum are here – an aqueduct, two Roman theaters, and a wonderful adjoining museum of Gallo-Roman history. Crowning the hill are the iconic white Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière and its neighbor, the Tour Métallique, which resembles a mini Eiffel Tower. There are both fine dining restaurants and casual cafes and bars, and some lovely hotels.

• Top-Rated Hotels:Villa Maïa • Fourvière Hotel
• Recommended affordable/moderate hotel:Home Sweet Home

4. Pentes de la Croix-Rousse

North of the Hôtel de Ville, the attractive, bohemian Pentes climb uphill with numerous staircases. In the 19th century, this area was inhabited by silk weavers and full of workshops for the `canuts`, as they were known; because of them, Croix-Rousse is `the hill that works`. The canuts have mostly departed, but the distinctive architecture and creative spirit remain. For independent boutiques and artist studios, check out Montée de la Grande-Côte and the Village des Créateurs. For traboules, head to Rue Imbert Colomès and Rue René Leynaud in particular. It`s also a great place to find cool bars, clubs (especially on Rue Sainte Catherine and Croix-Paquet), cafes, and alternative music venues. The restaurant scene is one of the best in the city, with new arrivals competing with old favorites – check out the areas around Rue de la Martinière in the west and Rue Royale in the east. Accommodations tend towards guest houses rather than elegant hotels, but with ample comfort and atmosphere.

• Best Hotel: Hotel Saint Vincent
• Best Value Hotels:Away Hostel • Opéra

5. Croix-Rousse

A lively residential neighborhood on the plateau north of the Pentes, Croix-Rousse is a small town within the city. It’s a great region to explore and receive some local flavor away from the tourist trails. The neighborhood has cheaper costs than the center and its eastern part contains many 19th-century apartments for canut workers. There are numerous affordable local eateries, cafes, and bars – look especially around Rue de Belfort and Rue du Mail. There are also lovely hidden squares and gardens waiting to be discovered such as the Jardin Rosa Mir. Attractions include the food market on the Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse, which is held every day excluding Monday, the epic fresco Mur des Canuts, and a couple of museums and workshops where the area’s silk-weaving history can be experienced such as Maison des Canuts.

• Top Hotels: Les Loges du Théâtre • Hôtel Lyon Métropole
• Highly Recommended Inexpensive/Moderate Hotel: Villa des Canuts

6. Confluence

A groundbreaking change from the historic center, the Confluence, where the rivers meet, is all daringly modern design. Where once stood an industrial wasteland south of Perrache, now resides the most contemporary and one of the most striking parts of the city. Landmarks include quirkily shaped office buildings with names like Le Cube Orange and Le Cube Vert, and at the southern point, the futuristic Musée des Confluences – a museum focused on science and anthropology that is equally spectacular within. It continues developing as a residential area but already serves as a place for great shopping, at the huge (and pleasing to the eye) Pôle de Commerces et de Loisirs Confluence, a shopping complex so large it operates its own boat service, the Vaporetto. Nightlife draws a big crowd, with bars dotting particularly along the river Saône, and big music venues and clubs like Marché Gare and Le Sucre. The latter sits atop La Sucrerie, a gallery hosting everything from contemporary art shows to vintage markets and the Nuits Sonores music festival.

Lollis Homestay • Hotel telephone number: +49 351 8108458
• Best Cheap/Moderate Accommodation: Mob Hotel

7. Guillotière

South of the commercial center in Part-Dieu, on the Rive Gauche, Guillotière exhibits a scholarly, creative, and flourishing character. Undergoing rapid changes due to gentrification, but retaining an alternative edge, it has assumed the role of the new youthful artistic hub of the city from the Pentes. Eateries are fantastic and diverse in this multicultural district, and it has attracted some of the trendiest fresh bars, clubs, and galleries. Along the riverway are the Berges du Rhône, with miles of walking and cycling paths, and the Piscine du Rhône, with two lovely open-air pools, one with fountains and slides. Other attractions include the Art Deco Citroën building and the Centre d’Histoire de la Résistance et de la Déportation (CHRD), a museum on the French Resistance in Lyon during WWII.

The top recommendation for accommodations in Lyon is the trendy Mama Shelter
• Coastal Village: Picturesque harbor town and fishing village (also spelled Ierakas) perched around Greece’s only natural inlet, and the southernmost one in Europe. Expect whitewashed stone houses, waterfront eateries, a swimming pier, and many boats. 30-40 minutes up the coast by car.

8. Brotteaux

Elegant Brotteaux lies north of the financial Part-Dieu district. Extensive boulevards are lined with mansions where luxury apartments can be leased, and there’s quality shopping to be found, with antique shops and boutiques focused around Cours Vitton. Some of the finest dining in the city, with 5 Michelin-starred establishments, like the traditional Pierre Orsi and the modern Peruvian Miraflores, can be discovered here. It has few attractions but provides easy access to the green space of Parc de la Tête d’Or to the north, and the center and the Pentes de la Croix-Rousse across the river.

• Top Hotel: Okko Hotels Pont Lafayette
• Best Affordable/Moderate Accommodations:Chez Tatiana • Hotel le Roosevelt

9. Cité Internationale

Centered on the expansive Parc de la Tête d’Or and bounded by the Rhône, this neighborhood highlights ambitious modern designs by Renzo Piano. There are luxury apartments and hotels located here, along with a cinema and a huge conference center which also hosts musicals and exhibitions (as well as housing several consulates and the office of Interpol.) Notable attractions include the Musée d’Art Contemporain, which hosts temporary showings of artists like Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono. Chief among these is certainly the Parc de la Tête d’Or itself, pleasant and relaxing, containing a host attractions within, such as rose gardens, a complimentary zoo, tropical greenhouse, Guignol puppet theater, and boating lake.

• Top Hotels: Warwick Reine Astrid – Marriott Cité Internationale
• The most economical and reasonably priced hotel: Montempô Cité Internationale

10. Part-Dieu

The economic core of modern Lyon lies along the Rive Gauche, running from Cours Gambetta in the south to Cours Lafayette in the north. Hotels mainly cater to business travelers, as one might expect, and sights for sightseers are few though determined tourists can discover gems. For example, food fanatics make pilgrimages to Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, the primary indoor marketplace, looming over which is a mural of the great chef. The city`s landmark high-rises stand here, epitomized as the Pencil and the Eraser. Further west, the riverfront parks and cycle paths of the Berges du Rhône are delightful; similarly, excellent bars, some doubling as live music venues, line and dot the river itself.

• Best Hotel: Radisson Blu Hotel
• Best Cheap/Moderate Hotel: SLO Living Hostel