Where to stay in Lyon: the areas at a glance

To decide where to stay in Lyon, start from your plans. The Presqu'île and Vieux Lyon put the monuments within walking distance. The Croix-Rousse keeps a village feel. The Part-Dieu sits right by the TGV station. The Monts d'Or, on the edge of the city, offer peace and nature.

No area is better in absolute terms. Each one suits a type of stay. Here is what each area offers, based on the guides from the tourist office ONLYLYON Tourisme, followed by the option of a guest house at the foot of the Monts d'Or.

The Presqu'île: the heart of the city

The Presqu'île is the central district of Lyon, between the Rhône and the Saône, from place des Terreaux to the Confluence. Staying here puts Bellecour, rue de la République and the Musée des Beaux-Arts a few steps away, in a city that comes alive in the evening.

  • Highlights: place Bellecour, the largest pedestrian square in Europe; rue de la République, pedestrianised since 1975; rue Mercière and its many restaurants.
  • In the evening: fountains and monuments light up, theatres and restaurants stay open.
  • Best for: a first visit, a short weekend, people who want to do everything on foot.

It is also the area where the tourist office lists the most hotels, from grand establishments to more traditional addresses.

Vieux Lyon: sleeping in the Renaissance

Vieux Lyon brings together Saint-Paul, Saint-Jean and Saint-Georges. It has been France's first protected heritage area since 1964 and is one of the largest Renaissance ensembles in Europe, covering 24 hectares. You stay at the foot of Fourvière, among traboules (covered passageways), inner courtyards and bouchons.

  • Highlights: Saint-Jean cathedral, the traboules, the Fourvière funicular from Vieux Lyon station (metro D).
  • Good to know: the streets are almost entirely cobbled, so bear this in mind if you travel with large suitcases.
  • Best for: lovers of heritage and old stone.

The Croix-Rousse: a village feel

The Croix-Rousse is the former silk workers' (canuts) district, perched on its hill. The tourist office describes it as eclectic, working-class and lively, with a village life that has been preserved. Its slopes, UNESCO-listed, mix gardens, designers, cafés and traboules.

  • Highlights: the montée de la Grande-Côte, the Cour des Voraces, the shops and delicatessens.
  • Access: metro C.
  • Best for: people who want to live Lyon like a local.

The Part-Dieu: the station and business

The Part-Dieu, on the left bank of the Rhône, is home to the TGV station, which the tourist office presents as a major gateway to the city. It is the logical choice for a business trip or a late arrival by train.

  • Highlights: the station, the Halles Paul Bocuse to taste Lyon specialities, the Auditorium and the Orchestre national de Lyon.
  • Atmosphere: a very dynamic district, constantly changing, with its towers and the Westfield shopping centre.
  • Best for: business trips and one-night stays.

Further south, the Confluence offers another modern option: an eco-district at the tip of the Presqu'île, with the Musée des Confluences and the Parc de Saône, 13 hectares of pools and 3,000 tree species.

Staying on the edge of Lyon, in the Monts d'Or

If you are looking for peace and quiet, a pool and parking, look north-west, at the foot of the Monts d'Or. Effet Lodge, a guest house and gîte in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or, is 8 km from the centre of Lyon and about 15 minutes from Vieux Lyon by public transport.

The Monts d'Or are a range of hills within the Métropole, known for their rural stone heritage and their views, according to the tourist office. Here is what the house offers:

  • Peace and quiet: a garden with trees, sunny terraces, a non-smoking house.
  • The pool: outdoor, 15 × 4 m, salt-treated, solar-heated from spring to September depending on the weather. It is for guests only.
  • Parking: 4 private spaces on site, and free spaces in the street.
  • Breakfast: pastries, fresh bread and homemade jams, in the lounge or on the terrace.

Two options: our guest rooms with a pool, 5 air-conditioned rooms with private shower rooms, or the gîte for 6 people, 115 m² with air conditioning, 3 bedrooms with bathrooms and a separate entrance. Check-in from 5pm, check-out before 11am. Pets are not allowed.

Getting to the centre without a car

From Effet Lodge, the Les Ormes bus stop is a few metres away. Buses 20 or 71 go to Gare de Vaise, then metro D serves Vieux Lyon and Bellecour. Allow about 15 minutes to Vieux Lyon.

  • Step 1: bus 20 or 71, from the Les Ormes stop, to Gare de Vaise.
  • Step 2: metro D to Vieux Lyon or Bellecour.
  • Ticket: on tcl.fr, a single ticket costs €2.10 (zones 1 and 2, valid for 1 hour) and the 24-hour pass €6.90 (fares checked in October 2026).

Once here, the Monts d'Or are best explored on foot. The tourist office describes a loop from Mont Thou to Mont Cindre starting from Saint-Cyr: 8.6 km, 3 hours, 261 m of elevation gain. To plan your days in the city, see our 2-day weekend in Lyon itinerary.

FAQ

Where to stay in Lyon for a first visit?

The Presqu'île or Vieux Lyon, to do everything on foot between Bellecour, the Terreaux, Saint-Jean cathedral and Fourvière. If you prefer quiet evenings, a guest house on the edge of Lyon stays connected to the centre by bus and metro D.

Where to stay in Lyon with a car?

Accommodation with parking saves you hunting for a space in the city centre. Effet Lodge has 4 private spaces and free spaces in the street, then the bus and metro D take you to the centre.

How long does it take to get to Vieux Lyon from Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or?

About 15 minutes: bus 20 or 71 from the Les Ormes stop to Gare de Vaise, then metro D to Vieux Lyon.