Best areas for students in Lyon

Vieux Lyon

Vieux Lyon, or Old Lyon, is one of the most picturesque neighbourhoods in the city. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this medieval and Renaissance neighbourhood is one of the best neighbourhoods for students in Lyon who want to be surrounded by history and cultural sites. It’s located at the foot of the Fourvière hill, and its cobbled alleyways, secret passages known as “traboules”, and old buildings give it a unique and special vibe.

This neighbourhood’s one of the most popular to try the traditional Lyonnaise gastronomy, especially in famous “bouchons”, small typical restaurants.

As expected, Vieux Lyon has a lot of historical and cultural sites that are interesting to visit. Simply walking through the neighbourhood is an experience in itself, with surprises around every corner, from hidden courtyards to decorated Renaissance facades. Some of the highlights include:

• The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist (Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste)
• Several museums, like the Gadagne Museum (Musée des arts de la marionnette) or the Museum of Cinema and Miniatures (Musée Cinéma et Miniature)
• The secret passages known as Traboules du Vieux Lyon

In Vieux-Lyon, there really isn't an abundance of green spaces. However, the walks on the docks over the Saône river are ideal for enjoying the city's good weather. In addition, you can quickly reach the Parc des Hauteurs, a park that has very nice views of the city, and the Jardin des Curiosités, ideal for picnics.

As for transportation, this neighbourhood is very well connected. It has several metro and bus stops, a train station (Lyon Saint-Paul) and a funicular which goes up to the Basilica of Fourvière. There are also stations of the public bicycle service, Vélo’v.

La Part-Dieu

This neighbourhood is part of the 3rd arrondissement and it’s a modern and dynamic area. Although it’s primarily known for its large train station and its shopping centre, it’s also an area chosen by students thanks to its excellent access to transportation and cultural spaces.

La Part-Dieu has a wide variety of restaurants and dining options. From traditional French cuisine to international cuisines such as Italian, Indian, and Japanese. In addition, its mall offers a huge variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops, making it a common meeting point for students.

At a cultural level, La Part-Dieu offers interesting options such as:

• Fort Montluc: a former prison converted into a museum
• Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse: a large covered market
• Auditorium Maurice Ravel: home of the Lyon National Orchestra
• Bourse du Travail: an Art Deco-style theatre
• Bibliothèque Municipale de Lyon: one of the largest libraries in France

As for green spaces, although it’s a fairly urban neighbourhood, students usually enjoy walks and exercise on the docks on the banks of the Rhône River. In addition, the park considered the green lung of Lyon (Parc de la Tête d'Or) is just a few minutes away by public transport or on foot.

One of the most attractive features for students in this neighbourhood is its transport connections. The Lyon Part-Dieu train station is one of the main ones in the city, and there are also metro, tram, and bus stations and stops. Many students also choose to move by bicycle, taking advantage of the city's bike-sharing service called Vélo’v.

La Guillotière

La Guillotière is a neighbourhood located south of Part-Dieu, in the 7th borough. This is an area with a multicultural atmosphere, affordable prices, and lively nightlife, so it’s highly chosen by students.

An important fact to keep in mind is that this neighbourhood was considered one of the most unsafe in Lyon, although measures have recently been implemented to improve the situation. However, we recommend taking precautions if you choose to live here and come back late at night, especially in areas like the metro station in the Place Gabriel Péri.

Living in La Guillotière is convenient, for example, for students of the Riverside Campus of the Jean Moulin-Lyon 3 University, which is very close.

This neighbourhood reflects its multiculturalism in the restaurant offering, with cuisines from different parts of the world. It also has many bars and clubs where students go out, making the nightlife quite lively.

The cultural life in La Guillotière is very diverse. The neighbourhood houses the La Motte Castle, a historic building, and the Garage Citroën, an example of industrial architecture. Also noteworthy is the Notre-Dame Saint-Louis de Lyon Church, built in the 19th century. The area is also known for its street art scene, with a lot of murals and graffiti adorning its streets.

This neighbourhood is home to the Parc Blandan, a large park located on the former grounds of military barracks and featuring large lawns, various sports fields, and a skate park.

La Guillotière has very good connections to the rest of Lyon, including metro and tram lines. Also, several bus lines and public bicycle stations (Vélo'v) are available in this neighbourhood.

Villeurbanne

Villeurbanne is considered another one of the best neighbourhoods for students in Lyon, although, in reality, it’s a large commune that’s next to the city of Lyon. In this other article you’ll find more about student accommodation in Villeurbanne, so that you can consider it if you want to have a cheaper accommodation cost than in Lyon and to be close to the Claude Bernard Lyon I (UCBL) University.

FAQ about neighbourhoods in Lyon