Where to Stay in Lyon: Best Areas & Hotels

Very much in spite of the Lyonnais, who feel a great rivalry against Parisians, most visitors to Lyon think of it as a human-scale version of Paris. This city is unusual among European places in the sense that it hosts museums and cultural institutions worthy of a capital and still retains a laid-back joie de vivre attitude. Lyon has many titles: “Capital of French cuisine,” “European capital of silk,” and former “Capital of the Gauls.” Although for the non-experienced traveller, Lyon may seem like a mini-Paris, the truth is that, in many ways, this southern French city is the exact opposite of its great rival in the north. If you’re wondering where to stay in Lyon, you have come to the right place.

Accommodation Options in Lyon

Located in south-central France, at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône and very close to the Swiss border, Lyon is the third-most populated city in France. It is divided into nine numbered arrondissements (districts). From a tourist point of view, Lyon is famous for being home to Notre Dame de Fourvière Basilica, Parc de la Tête d’Or, Musée des Confluences, Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral and a medieval quarter, Vieux Lyon. The Presqu’île and the slopes of the Croix-Rousse are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites and the city hosts the yearly Fête des Lumières, a festival of lights held around the 8th of December. Lyon is one of the most visited destinations in France and is known for its luxury and boutique hotels. Most of the budget accommodations can be found in its outer districts.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first time visiting Lyon or if you’re looking for that special area for a romantic trip, keep reading to find out more about our selection of the best quarters to stay in Lyon for every type of traveller.

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What’s the Best Area to Stay in Lyon?

The best area for tourists in Lyon is the Presqu’île, a very centrally-located administrative, shopping and tourist section in central Lyon. The Presqu’île, literally meaning “the peninsula,” occupies the long strip of land between the Rhône and Saône rivers and comprises the 1st, 2nd and 4th arrondissements. This district, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to the city’s main cultural institutions, squares, train stations, shopping and nightlife areas, and most of the best-rated hotels in the city.

Find available accommodation on the Presqu’île.

Best Hotels on the Presqu’île

• Best five-star hotel: InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu, an IHG Hotel
• Best four-star hotel: Hôtel de l’Abbaye
• Best three-star hotel: Hôtel Des Artistes
• Best budget hotel: Hôtel Vaubecour
• Best B&B: Une nuit au second
• Best hostel: Away Hostel & Coffee Shop

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Where to Stay in Lyon for Sightseeing

As one of the most visited tourist destinations in France, Lyon is full of attractions and things to do. These are some of the best quarters to stay in Lyon for tourists:

• Ancient, hilly and extremely charming, Vieux Lyon is the largest Medieval and Renaissance-era district of Lyon. Set between Fourvière hill and the river Saône, Old Lyon is home to attractions like the Notre Dame de Fourvière Basilica, Lyon’s Cathedral and the Roman Theatre of Fourvière. Some of the best-rated hotels in this historic district include Villa Florentine and Cour des Loges.
• The 1st arr., home to the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall), the Lyon Museum of Fine Arts and the Three Gauls Amphitheatre is also considered the best area in Lyon for nigthlife. This lively palatial area is also the site of great accommodations including chic properties like Maison Nô and the budget Hotel Saint Vincent.
• Occupying most of the Presqu’île, the 2nd arrondissement is Lyon’s shopping district par excellence. Home to Place Bellecour, Perrache railway station and the avant-garde Musée des Confluences, this area is also home to several of the best-rated hotels in Lyon including the luxury InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu and the budget Hôtel Vaubecour.
• Located on the east side of the Rhône and known as the site of gorgeous Parc de la Tête d’Or and the Lyon Zoo, the 6th arrondissement is an upscale residential area home to some of the best luxury hotels in Lyon. Properties in this district include Okko Hotels Lyon Pont Lafayette and MHL – Maison Hotel Lyon.

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The Best Areas for Tourists in Lyon: District by District

Lyon has 9 arrondissements (districts), each divided into individual quarters. In this post, we offer you an overview of the best locations in Lyon for a perfect holiday.

1. The Presqu’île: Best Location for First-Time Visitors, Nightlife & Shopping in Lyon

The lovely Presqu’île area of Lyon is the main administrative, shopping and nightlife area in the French city.

Why is this the best area to stay in Lyon:
• Heart of the city
• Best area for nightlife in Lyon
• Shopping district
• Beautiful squares
• Well-connected by metro and train
• Musée des Confluences
• All kinds of hotels

The Presqu’île, which literally means “the peninsula,” is the long spit of land formed by the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône. It encompasses the 1st and 2nd arrondissements, as well as parts of the 4th. This lively section of the city features buildings dating back to the 12th century and is considered Lyon’s city centre. It is famous for its lovely squares, bridges and palaces.

The streets between Bellecour and Place des Terraux make up the main shopping centre of the city, with all the major French and international brands, as well as smaller shops by local designers.

The 1st arr., home to the Hôtel de Ville, Place de la Comédie and Opera Nouvel, is Lyon’s premier nightlife district, packed with bars, cafés and restaurants. The area is also the site of the Roman-era Amphitheater of the Three Gauls.

South of the 1st, at the confluence of the two rivers, lies the 2nd arrondissement. This commercial and shopping district is home to Place Bellecour, Europe’s largest pedestrian square, and the Lyon-Perrache station, a major transit hub in the city. The southern section of the 2nd arr. is characterised by its avant-garde architecture, including the deconstructivist Musée des Confluences and the Confluence shopping mall.

The Presqu’île is the best-connected area in Lyon; metro line A crosses the northern end of the district and lines C and D offer connections at Hôtel de Ville and Bellecour respectively.

More importantly, the Peninsula is home to a broad variety of accommodations for all tastes and budgets, making it the best area to stay in Lyon.

Best Hotels in the Presqu’île

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2. Vieux Lyon: Best Location for Sightseeing

Home to Roman, Medieval and Renaissance-era buildings, Vieux Lyon is a great area to stay for sightseeing and culture.

Why is this the best area to stay in Lyon:
• Best area for sightseeing
• Notre Dame Basilica & Lyon Cathedral
• Charming historic quarter
• Interesting architecture & hôtels particuliers
• Boutique hotels
• Connected by metro and funiculars
• Roman-era ruins

Lyon’s Old Town is located on the west bank of the Saône river. Part of the 5th arrondissement, this charming area, home to one of the largest collections of Renaissance buildings in Europe, is the historic heart of the city and is defined by its narrow medieval streets flanked by colourful four and five-story buildings with interior patios and beautiful staircases, many of which display Italian influence.

Much of the neighbourhood was developed in the sixteenth century, during the commercial peak of the city. Lyon was at the crossroads of trade between Italy, Spain, Holland and France, and Vieux Lyon grew to accommodate its thriving merchant population.

The old town is made up of three different neighbourhoods. Saint-Jean, home to the medieval St John’s Cathedral, Saint-Paul, with the hôtels particuliers (the former homes of Italian bankers and merchants), and Saint Georges, the silk weavers’ quarter.

The west side of this district is dominated by the Fourvière hill, the site of the original Roman settlement of Lugdunum is home to some of the main attractions in Lyon, these include the Basilica of Fourvière, La Tour Métallique, and the two oldest funicular railways still in operation in the world. On the south side of the hill lie several Roman-era structures, including the Roman Baths, the Roman Theatre and the Roman Odéon.

Thanks to its historic heritage, breathtaking views and central location, the Old Town is an excellent area to stay in Lyon for tourists. The area is connected to the rest of the city, including Place Bellecour, through metro line D. Keep in mind that, while walking around Vieux Lyon is a wonderful experience, the neighbourhood is built on the side of a hill, so you need to be prepared for the area’s many slopes.

Vieux Lyon is also home to a broad selection of boutique hotels, many of which are set in refurbished historical palaces and convents.

Best Hotels in Vieux Lyon

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3. 3rd Arrondissement: Best Location in Lyon for Business Travellers

The 3rd arr. is a modern and centrally-located area with many business-oriented hotels.

Why is this the best area to stay in Lyon:
• Best area for business travellers
• Lyon Part-Dieu railway station
• Modern quarter
• Well-connected by metro and train
• Business and budget hotels

Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement is located on the east bank of the River Rhône. It is the most populous district in the city.

The area closest to the river can be considered part of Lyon’s city centre and is home to a large number of office and residential skyscrapers including the four tallest towers in the city; Tour Swiss Life, Tour Incity, Tour Oxygen and Tour Part-Dieu, making it Lyon’s main financial district.

Lyon Part-Dieu, the main railway station in the city, offers high-speed and regional services to most cities in France, as well as international connections to Belgium, the UK, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Italy. This major transit hub also has direct access to metro line B, tramways T1, T3, and T4 and the Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport via the Rhônexpress tram service.

The 3e arrondissement is the best place to stay in Lyon if you visit the city for business or if you need to have direct access to the train station.

Best Hotels in the 3rd Arrondissement

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4. 6th Arrondissement: Best Location for a Luxury Holiday in Lyon

Located on the east bank of the Rhône, the 6th arrondissement is an upmarket area known for the beautiful Parc de la Tête d’Or.

Why is this the best area to stay in Lyon:
• Chic area to stay
• Parc de la Tête d’Or
• Luxury hotels
• Quiet area
• Connected by metro and tram
• Lyon Botanical Garden

The 6th arrondissement of Lyon is located northeast of the city centre. This area is often described as the most elegant and chic district in Lyon.

Its wide avenues (Boulevard des Belges, Rue Duquesne, Avenue Foch, Franklin Roosevelt) and its squares (Marshal Lyautey square, Helvetia square, Edgar-Quinet square, Jules-Ferry square) are lined with beautiful old buildings and mansions. Most of Boulevard des Belges has views of the Tête d’Or park, a 19th-century park known for its statues and fountains. It features a lake and the Lyon Botanical Garden.

The commercial section of the district is centred around Franklin-Roosevelt Boulevard and Saxe Avenue, where you’ll find some high-street and luxury retailers.

The 6th arrondissement of Lyon is home to a wide offer of luxury apartments and upmarket hotels. It is the best quarter to stay in Lyon if you are looking for a quiet and luxurious holiday.

The 6th is connected by metro lines A and B and tram line T4.

Best Hotels in the 6th Arrondissement

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5. 7th Arrondissement: Cheap Area to Stay in Lyon

Lyon’s 7th arrondissement is a funky area in the southeast of the city.

Why is this the best area to stay in Lyon:
• Cheap district to stay
• Lyon’s hipster area
• Lots of restaurants and shops

The 7th arrondissement is the largest in Lyon. It is located south of the city, on the Rhône’s east bank.

Several floodings marked the history of this district until the construction of dikes and quays on the Rhône after the catastrophic flood of 1852.

For a long time considered the city’s working-class area, the 7th is rapidly gentrifying and has in recent years become Lyon’s hipster area. A creative and multicultural hub, the 7th offers a multitude of small bistro-style restaurants, antique boutiques and vintage fashion stores.

The 7th district is connected to the rest of Lyon by metro lines B and D and is the best district to stay in Lyon for young travellers and those looking for budget hotels.

Best Hotels in the 7th Arrondissement

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