Where to sleep in Lyon, this tourist city and very popular in France? After having written an article on Visiter Lyon, I now propose to deepen this question of housing with this new article: Where to sleep in Lyon?
It can sometimes be complicated to choose your accommodation when we do not know the destination city. In this article, we are going to answer various questions that will allow you not to go wrong when booking your accommodation.
We are going to detail here the best areas to sleep in Lyon to visit the City of Light, but also those to avoid; you will also find our suggestions for establishments, from hotels to apartments for rent in the heart of Lyon.
Summary:
- Where to sleep in Lyon: which district to choose?
- The most beautiful hotels in Lyon
- Sleep in a bed and breakfast in Lyon
- The most accessible hotels to sleep in Lyon
- Rent an apartment to sleep in Lyon
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Where to sleep in Lyon: which district to choose?
First, I suggest you take stock of the best neighborhoods to stay in Lyon. Some will be perfect if you want to visit the city; others will be more appropriate for business trips; and some neighborhoods are to be avoided. This is what we will see in this part.
- Old Lyon
- The Peninsula
- The Red Cross
- Where to sleep for a business trip?
- Neighborhoods where to stay inexpensively in Lyon
- Neighborhoods to avoid
Old Lyon
Let's start with one of the most touristic and cutest districts of Lyon: Vieux-Lyon, and more particularly the Place Saint-Jean and the surrounding area. Pedestrian streets, old buildings, traboules, squares, restaurants, bars, … This district is extremely pleasant. Moreover, you are not far from Place Bellecour and the center of Lyon. This area has a metro stop, which is very convenient for getting around during your stay. It is also at this metro stop that you can take the funicular leading to the emblematic basilica of Notre-Dame-de-Fourvière.
Old Lyon is a popular district for tourists, students and native Lyonnais alike. It must be said that this old district is full of pretty places to visit, delicious restaurants to try and very pleasant bars.
- metro stop
- Historic District
- Many bars, restaurants, shops, …
- Tourist district
- Few accommodations
- Difficult access by car
The Peninsula
Let's now move on to the main district of the city: the Presqu'Île. This is where it all happens! You will find there, among other things, the famous Place Bellecour. But also many bars, restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, shops of all kinds! The Presqu'Île is the heart of Lyon, whether you like shopping, sightseeing, or just strolling. The touristic and pleasant part of the Presqu'Île extends from Place Carnot, not far from Perrache station, to Place des Terreaux. From one to the other, you will pass by Place Bellecour, you will take the very commercial Rue de la République or Rue Victor Hugo, you can take a detour via the pretty Place des Jacobins, and then cross the Place des Cordeliers and end your visit at Place des Terreaux where the Opéra National de Lyon, the Hôtel de Ville and the Museum of Fine Arts are also located.
As you will have understood, the Presqu'Île is for me the ideal district to stay in Lyon and take advantage of its many assets.
- Many public transport
- Lively district: bars, restaurants, shops, …
- Historic places and squares, visits
- Typical architecture
- Accessible by car
- Popular accommodation therefore expensive
The Musée des Confluences is located on the Presqu'Île, just after Perrache station. This area is interesting to visit, you will also find some nice bars and restaurants and a shopping center; but for accommodation, I recommend that you choose the other side of the station, towards Place Bellecour and Place des Terreaux.
The Red Cross
After having presented the Presqu'Île to you, I have to continue with the district of Croix-Rousse, in the continuity of the Place des Terreaux. This is the trendy district of Lyon. A true small village in the heart of the city, its identity is very marked and it is very pleasant to walk there or to live there. You will easily find organic groceries, alternative bars, various artistic exhibitions or even testimonies of the industrial past of this district. You won't be able to miss its famous daily market (except Mondays) where the various elements of Lyon gastronomy come together in all their splendor. A feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds!
Advantages :- Served by the metro
- Trendy district: bars, restaurants, …
- village atmosphere
- Difficulty parking
Where to sleep for a business trip?
If you have to go to Lyon in a professional setting, then some additional districts may be of interest to you. Indeed, you are not aiming for tourist interest, which allows you to move away from popular and therefore expensive areas. One of the neighborhoods that I know particularly well, having lived there for a few years, is the Vaise district, at the entrance to Lyon if you arrive by motorway from Paris. This district is very practical because it is accessible by car by exiting just before the tunnel under Fourvière. Regulars will recognize that crossing the tunnel can be hell at rush hour!
Vaise is therefore an interesting alternative. I recommend that you stay between the Valmy and Gorge de Loup metro stops. You will be less than 5 minutes by metro from Vieux-Lyon and you will find a place for your vehicle more easily.
In the same spirit, you can also stay south of Lyon, near Gerland and the Halle Tony Garnier. A district also very well served by public transport and easily accessible.
Finally, you will also find many accommodations near the Part-Dieu train station. It is not necessarily the first district to stay in Lyon, but it can be practical if you arrive by train. In addition, this district has pleasant streets and is not far from the center. It can be a good alternative.
Districts :
- Vaise: metro Gorge de Loup & Valmy
- Gerland, Halle Tony Garnier
- Part-Dieu station
Neighborhoods where to stay inexpensively in Lyon
To sum up, the neighborhoods where to stay in Lyon will be the neighborhoods located on the outskirts of the city center of Lyon made up of Vieux-Lyon, the peninsula, Croix-Rousse and Fourvière.
You will find accessible hotels around the Part-Dieu station or in the Guillotière district, making sure to stay close to the banks of the Rhône.
Indeed, we are going to talk about it in the next part, but as in any big city, Lyon has districts that are less well frequented than others. It is therefore necessary to pay attention to inexpensive accommodation, which may be located in areas to be avoided, especially in the evening.
- Accessible accommodation
- Neighborhoods that can be poorly frequented
Neighborhoods to avoid
Transition done, let's now talk about the neighborhoods to avoid when staying in Lyon. From a general point of view, the station districts are to be avoided, in particular around the Perrache station. First of all, the surroundings do not represent any particular interest; and in the evening, this district is not pleasant.
In the continuity of this area, the part along the quays between Perrache and Confluence, the Cours Charlemagne, is to be avoided. This part has no interest, this is where the highway passes and it is also a haunt of prostitutes in the evening. A perfect mix for not enjoying your stay in Lyon, which would be a shame. Note however that this area is being rehabilitated and renovated. Large investments are made to make this area more pleasant. But for the moment, to avoid!
Another neighborhood to avoid is La Guillotière. On the side of the quays, no worries, many barges welcome young people wanting to enjoy their student evenings and the quays have pleasant spaces to rest with friends. On the other hand, as soon as you move away from the quays, these areas are poorly frequented, day and night. So there is very little point in going there.
- Perrache station and surroundings
- Charlemagne course
- La Guillotière (beyond the quays of the Rhône)
The most beautiful hotels in Lyon
Now that you know where to choose your accommodation in Lyon, here are some of the most beautiful hotels in the city. Admittedly, the prices will be quite high (>200€ per night), but the setting of each of these establishments is quite exceptional.
Abbey Hotel
Let's start with this magnificent hotel located between Place Victor Hugo and the banks of the Saône, on the Presqu'Île. A quiet area and an ideal location for visiting Lyon. This beautiful accommodation is in an old building, full of charm and with some remains of the old abbey. The decoration is modern and trendy. The rooms offered are comfortable, reflecting the hotel's standing. In addition, the breakfasts offered are delicious and made up of fresh and local products. Standing, Location, Reception See prices
InterContinental
For this second top-of-the-range hotel to stay in Lyon, I'm taking you to an emblematic historic place in the city: the Grand Hôtel Dieu. Steeped in history and demonstrating the richness of the city, this magnificent building houses, among other things, the InterContinental hotel. You will be very well located for visiting Lyon: on the Presqu'île, along the banks of the Rhône, a stone's throw from Place Bellecour. As for the hotel, the welcome is impeccable and the rooms are spacious and very comfortable. Standing, Location, Comfort See prices
Villa Maïa
After these two accommodations located on the Presqu'Île, I offer you a last top-of-the-range establishment located between Fourvière and Vieux-Lyon. A historic and chic district where it is pleasant to stay in Lyon. This luxury establishment offers spacious and well-decorated rooms, some even have an exceptional view of Lyon. You can also benefit from the very pleasant Spa area. The reception is at the height of this hotel. Standing, Location, Spa area See prices
Sleep in a bed and breakfast in Lyon
Here is a housing option that I like to offer more and more: guest rooms. Indeed, this alternative to the hotel allows you to spend pleasant stays in the company of your hosts, knowing their region by heart. In this suggestion for bed and breakfast, I have carefully selected accommodation typical of the city, with perfectly preserved historic architecture.
The Hanging Garden
Head to the Vieux-Lyon district for this first bed and breakfast in Lyon. A charming apartment ideally located in the heart of this historic district (less easy to access if you are by car). You will be warmly welcomed by very helpful owners. Delicious food and modern decor with a few touches of the old, a real success; as well as a comfortable and quiet room, will make your stay in Lyon unforgettable. Welcome, Comfort, Decoration See prices
One night on the second
Let's continue with a bed and breakfast located not far from Place Bellecour, on the Presqu'Île. Suffice to say that it is very well located if you want to visit the city. You can enjoy a beautiful, comfortable and clean room. And the owners will welcome you warmly. A great address in a typical Lyon apartment. Location, Reception, Decoration See prices
216 Villa
For this last bed and breakfast, I take you to a slightly less touristy area, but quiet and still easily accessible from the historic center. Villa 216 is a perfectly well restored and maintained bourgeois residence. Located about twenty minutes on foot from the Part-Dieu train station, you can easily get there by car. A pleasant garden surrounds the property, making the place calm and pleasant. The rooms are comfortable and clean. You will be warmly welcomed. A great place to sleep in Lyon. Architecture, Welcoming, Calm See the rates
The most accessible hotels to sleep in Lyon
We saw at the beginning of this part, the high-end hotels in Lyon. But rest assured, it is quite possible to stay in Lyon in very good hotels, while staying at affordable prices, less than 150€ per night. Here is our selection of 3 accommodations for this category of accessible hotels where to sleep in Lyon.
MiHotel Bizolon
This hotel is not far from Place Bellecour and close to the banks of the Saône. It is an ideal location on the Presqu'Île to visit the City of Light. Regarding the suites offered, they are beautiful and spacious. The decoration perfectly combines the modern and the old, all with class and sobriety. This hotel is a great address all at a reasonable budget for a city like Lyon. Location, Decoration, Hospitality See rates
MOB HOTEL
Here is a hotel located near Confluence. Admittedly, this district is not the most ideal for visiting Lyon, but depending on the reason for your visit, this hotel may be well placed. It is in a brand new neighborhood, quiet but lively. And not far from the tram taking you directly to the city center. The rooms are stylish and comfortable. Decoration, Calm, Decoration, Price See prices
Hotel Edmond W.
Let's finish with this hotel located a stone's throw from the Part-Dieu station. Location very good for visiting the city and convenient because close to the train station. This accommodation has been very well renovated and the decoration is trendy. You can enjoy its warm atmosphere and its pleasant roof terrace. The reception is quite friendly. A great place to stay in Lyon. Price, Decoration, Welcome See prices
Rent an apartment to sleep in Lyon
Finally, I offer you some ideas for apartments to rent in Lyon. Indeed, this alternative allows you to have more autonomy and independence. The apartments selected here are located in beautiful buildings typical of the city, with old parquet floors and high ceilings. They are renovated to perfection, allowing to combine old and modern, while giving a charm to these accommodations.
MOHOM
The MOHOM apartments are real little cocoons: trendy decoration, comfortable bedding, fully equipped kitchen, impeccable cleanliness, ideal location for visiting Lyon, perfect service and hospitality. In short, these different apartments for rent in Lyon are a safe bet. Regarding their location, they are on the banks of the Rhône, just opposite the Grand Hôtel Dieu. Location, Reception, Decoration See prices
Studio 2 pers.
This second accommodation is a charming studio in the perfect geographical location: on Place Bellecour! If you want to visit Lyon or enjoy the city, then you will be satisfied for this accommodation. Perfectly renovated, mixing the old and the modern, you will stay in an apartment with incredible charm. Able to accommodate two people, it is fully equipped for you to have a perfect stay. Location, Decoration, Cleanliness See prices
Cocoons
You will have the choice: an Emerald Cocoon or a Flowery Cocoon! Both can accommodate two travelers. The location is a little out of the way but you will be close to the metro which will take you directly to the city centre. These two accommodations are decorated with great taste. Comfortable, well equipped and clean, you will also be very warmly welcomed. Decoration, Cleanliness, Hospitality See prices
I hope you have enjoyed this rather comprehensive article and above all, I hope it will help you when choosing accommodation during your stay in Lyon. If you have any questions that you haven't found answered here, feel free to leave us a comment. Just as if you want to share with us good addresses to recommend in Lyon.
