Living inLyon
Voted the 2nd best student city in France in 2020-2021 by the L’Étudiant, Lyon is an attractive city from both an economic and cultural standpoint. The city is recognised as the gourmet capital of France and attracts millions of tourists every year.
The city is divided into nine districts. The 1st and 2nd districts make up the Presqu’île, which is the heart of the city center of Lyon. Most visited by tourists is the 5th district, or the “Old Town”, which is greatly admired for its traditional architecture, The Basilica (Notre-Dame de Fourvière) and the small cobblestoned streets. Lyon boasts two rivers flowing through the city center, the Rhône and the Saône, and is a very peaceful city with a relaxing way of life.
Finally, it is easy to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a host of activities in the parks and gardens or, further, in the Beaujolais or the greater Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region. Just two hours from Paris and Marseille by train, Lyon enjoys an ideal location. The airport offers flights to over 130 destinations and its two high-speed train stations provide useful links to major hubs across the country.
To help make life easier on arrival, below is some practical information about accommodation and living costs.
Cost of living in Lyon
To enjoy a decent quality of life in Lyon, make provisions for a monthly budget of between €650 and €950. Upon arrival, make sure you have €1,500 for your first month, notably for settling in costs.
Below are some examples of costs (provided as a guide):
Expenses | Monthly totals |
|---|---|
Rent | Between €250 and €550 depending on the accommodation |
Utilities | About €35 |
Telephone – Internet | Between €20 and €30 |
Transportation and travel (youth’s pass) | €25 |
Shopping | About €300 |
Home and public liability insurance | About €10 |
Shops in France are generally open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm. Practically all shops and services are closed on Sundays. Local authorities (police, post office, family allowance office, etc.) and banks have specific opening times and generally close around 5pm. Many shops and offices will also close daily for a lunch break, between 12-2 pm.
