Where To Stay In Lyon: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide
Often seen as the gateway to southern France, Lyon is an ancient city that has lots to offer visitors. Located between the Rhône and Saône rivers, Lyon dates back to the Roman occupation of what was then called Gaul. Lyon's city center, known as Vieux Lyon, is as charming as any old town in France. With the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lugdunum to see and some of the best food you'll find in all of France, Lyon is a city that simply begs to be explored.
If you're wondering where to stay in Lyon, you'll be spoiled for choice. The city offers lodgings that run the gamut from luxury hotels to budget hotels, and from hotels right in the heart of the action to more suburban options that make it easy to explore the countryside while visiting Lyon. Ultimately, choosing the best place to stay in Lyon depends on what you want to do while you're in town. If you're looking to enjoy the classic atmosphere of Vieux Lyon or enjoy some of the most unmissable things to do at night, you'll probably want to stay close to the city center, but if you're looking for peace and quiet, the Old Town may not be the best place to find it.
But wherever you choose to stay in Lyon, you'll be glad to know it's easy to find Bounce luggage storage in the city. By partnering with local businesses, Bounce makes it easy to find convenient luggage storage wherever you are. And knowing your bags are safely looked after will make it much easier to explore the many different neighborhoods of Lyon.
Where to stay in Vieux Lyon
Vieux Lyon is the old part of town, and is home to some of the city's most intriguing buildings and monuments. The narrow streets of Vieux Lyon simply drip with old world charm, and the Old Town is where you'll find Lyon's iconic traboules, the ancient passageways that connect the crooked streets of the city center to the river. If you're wondering where to stay in Lyon that will let you soak up the historic charm of this ancient town and still give you access to some of the best restaurants and attractions the city has to offer, Vieux Lyon is your answer.
However, Vieux Lyon is in some ways a victim of its own popularity. You'll find a lot of historic attractions here, but that means you'll also find a lot of tourists. And often, where there are tourists, there are also high prices. Expect to spend more to stay in Vieux Lyon than you would in other parts of the city. It's also not necessarily the most convenient location for some of the attractions in outlying areas of the city. Part Dieu train station is a solid three kilometers away, so you may need to take advantage of Lyon's public transportation system to reach a hotel in this area.
Vieux Lyon is also quite small, but that doesn't mean it lacks options for where to stay in Lyon. You'll find some great luxury hotels in this area, such as Villa Maia, a five-star establishment with a buffet breakfast you can take on a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking the city, making this one of the best luxury hotels in Lyon. The Villa Florentine is another of Vieux Lyon's very exclusive hotels, and is ideally located in the heart of Old Town. But you can also find some cheap hotels in Vieux Lyon, including basic boutique hotels like Dormir a Lyon - Artelit, which don't offer the fancy frills you'll get at one of the best hotels in the city, but provide a great option for those in need of a budget hotel.
Where to stay in La Presqu’île
Located across the Saône river from Vieux Lyon, the neighborhood known as La Presqu’île functions as Lyon's city centre. This area is home to important municipal buildings like the Hôtel de Ville - but don't let the name confuse you. This is not a hotel but is in fact Lyon's City Hall. Located on Place des Terreaux close to the Musée des Beaux Arts, the Hôtel de Ville forms the heart of this neighborhood, and the city itself. This is also possibly the best shopping district in Lyon, and you'll find tons of great stores along Rue de la République which runs from one river to the other.
La Presqu’île is where to stay in Lyon if you want to be close to the heart of the action. Closer to Part Dieu train station than Vieux Lyon is, the city center on the east bank of the Saône is a hub for the city's public transportation network, making it easy to reach from just about anywhere. Plus, the area's attractions include not just the Musée des Beaux Arts and Place des Terreaux, but also the Theatre Guignol and the Musée de l’Imprimerie. If visiting Lyon's celebrated fine arts museum is on your list while you visit the city, this is a great option for where to stay in Lyon. And it's also home to some of the best restaurants in the city, so you'll have endless options for dining and nightlife.
However, like Vieux Lyon, the busyness of this area can be a challenge for those looking for some peace and quiet. If you want your stay in Lyon to be full of excitement and local color, Lyon's city centre is a great option. But if you prefer to escape crowds, you may be better off looking elsewhere.
As you would expect, the beautiful 19th-century buildings of La Presqu’île are home to many of the best Lyon hotels. The Intercontinental - Hotel Dieu, for example, might be the best luxury hotel in the area. However, you'll also find some great midrange and even budget hotels in this area if you look around, like the Ibis Budget Lyon Centre. They won't have all the bells and whistles you'll get at a five-star establishment, but if staying in the heart of the action is more important to you, you'll have plenty to choose from.
Where to stay in Croix Rousse
Head a little north of the Hotel de Ville, and you'll soon find yourself climbing the slopes toward one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Lyon. Croix Rousse was a working-class area during the 19th century, and it retains a kind of creative and artistic spirit that makes it an interesting place to explore. For example, the Village des Créateurs, held in this area, is a regular festival of crafts and arts that brings many of Lyon's top creatives to Croix Rousse to share their latest work. This area is also home to the Croix Rousse market, one of the liveliest and most entertaining in the city. Plus, you'll find some excellent restaurants along Rue de la Martinière, and some great bars to spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere like a local.
Perhaps best of all, this neighborhood remains a little bit off the tourist path, so you can often find bargains here. Loaded with traditional restaurants and boutique hotels, Croix Rousse is the perfect place to stay in Lyon if you want to feel like a local but still be close to the city's main tourist attractions.
Where to stay in Fourviere
The hill rising immediately west of Vieux Lyon is known as Fourviere, and chances are good that you'll be riding the famous funicular up to the top of this hill at some point during your visit to Lyon. After all, this is where the city was founded as a Roman settlement 2000 years ago. The Roman remains of the city of Lugdunum can still be visited on Fourviere Hill, and the ancient theater has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is also home to the Gallo Roman Museum and the stunning Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourvière. So if you're a history buff wondering where to stay in Lyon that will keep you close to some of the city's top attractions, you have your answer.
Because of the attractions it contains, this area gets its share of tourists, and so you won't have a hard time finding some great restaurants and hotels on the hill. However, the neighborhood remains mostly residential, so if you're looking for a peaceful place to stay in the city without being too far away, Fourviere is a great option.
Where to stay in Confluence
Located south of Lyon's city center, Confluence, so named because it's where the city's two rivers meet, is very much an up-and-coming neighborhood. Anchored by the impressive Confluence Museum, this is where to stay in Lyon if you need a break from the historic architecture of the city and would prefer something more modern. The cutting-edge architecture of this neighborhood will make you feel like you've stepped into the future, and Confluence is also home to one of the biggest shopping centers in the city.
In this revitalized neighborhood, you'll find plenty of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants where you can get the best brunch in Lyon. And while this isn't the place to come if you want to stay in a heritage hotel, it is an excellent area if you prefer modern rooms, free wifi, and all the conveniences of the 21st century. Plus, Confluence is well connected to the rest of the city via Perrache train station and the tram line, making this up-and-coming neighborhood a surprisingly central location for a stay in Lyon.
Where to stay in Part Dieu
The central business district of the city, Part Dieu is low on attractions, so may not be the best option for where to stay in Lyon if you want to be able to walk to everything. However, if you value convenience, it may be worth considering. With Part Dieu train station on the eastern edge of this district, it's easy to get to from Lyon Saint Exupéry airport and many other cities in France. Plus, if you don't mind a bit of a walk, it's possible to walk all the way from the railway station to Lyon City Hall and Place de la Comédie in a little over 30 minutes. Or if you prefer to take public transit, there are plenty of options here. And if you're a foodie, the presence of the celebrated market Les Halles de Lyon might tempt you
Perhaps the best thing about staying in Part Dieu is the wealth of hotels you'll find. Although they may not have the same charm you'll find in the Old Town, the business district offers a good range of places to stay in Lyon, whether you're looking for a budget hotel or something a little more luxurious.
Conclusion
Choosing where to stay in Lyon doesn't need to be difficult. If you focus on what you most want to do while you're in the city, you can choose a neighborhood that best suits your needs. Whether you're looking to experience Lyon's incredible culinary scene like a local or delve into the ancient past, choosing the right place to stay in Lyon will make it much easier to suit your trip to your needs.
And it doesn't get easier than dropping off your bags with Bounce. Exploring this vibrant French city is much easier when you don't carry more than you need to, so don't forget to store your luggage with Bounce so you can enjoy your trip.