Lyon sits where the Rhône and the Saône meet, and it’s often called the food capital of France. You can have lunch in a traditional bouchon in Vieux Lyon, climb the steep steps up Croix-Rousse and end the day by the river on the Presqu’île.
Your choice of area matters a lot, because the city is split by two rivers and two hills. I’d pick differently for a short weekend, a trip with children and a rail journey through France. Here are my six favourite areas in Lyon and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Lyon
- Presqu’île - best area for first-time visitors
- Vieux Lyon - best area for history and romance
- Croix-Rousse - best area for local life and markets
- Part-Dieu - best area for train travel and short stays
- Les Brotteaux - best area for peace and quiet near Parc de la Tête d’Or
- Confluence - best area for families
Below, I’ll take you through the areas one by one, with the key facts about transport and prices and three hotels in each, sorted from the most expensive to the cheapest.
1. Presqu’île - best area for first-time visitors 🏙️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying right in the centre, on the peninsula between the Rhône and the Saône, with Place Bellecour to the south and Place des Terreaux to the north.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro line A runs the length of the peninsula, and line D stops at Bellecour, so you’re in Vieux Lyon in no time.
- ✈️ Time from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport: Take the Rhônexpress to Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie and change to metro A. Allow around 45 minutes as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £100 to £280 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The peninsula is busy and well lit for most of the day and night. Watch out for pickpockets in the shopping streets and on the squares when it’s crowded.
The Presqu’île is my top pick if it’s your first visit to Lyon. The peninsula is the heart of the city, and you can walk from Place Bellecour, which the city’s tourist office calls the largest pedestrian square in Europe, to Place des Terreaux with the town hall and the Musée des Beaux-Arts in around 20 minutes.
On the way, you’ll follow Rue de la République, the city’s big pedestrianised shopping street. Vieux Lyon is just across the Saône, and you can walk over one of the footbridges in a few minutes. To the east, you cross the Rhône and soon reach the riverside quays, with cycle paths, benches and bars on barges along the water.
It’s also the easiest place to stay without a car, because two metro lines stop here. TCL, Lyon’s public transport company, has a good overview of tickets and day passes for visitors, and a day pass for the metro, trams and buses costs about 7 euros (around £6).
See hotels on the Presqu’île here.
Art lovers can easily spend a whole morning at the Musée des Beaux-Arts on Place des Terreaux, which has a large collection of European painting and sculpture. The museum’s courtyard on the south side of the square is a calm oasis in the middle of the city, and the grand town hall is right next door.
The northern part around Cordeliers and Terreaux has the most restaurants and bars, while the area south of Bellecour towards Ainay is quieter, with more classic residential streets.
The downsides are the price and the noise. The hotels in the central part are among the most expensive in the city, and the streets with bars can be loud until late at night at weekends. Ask for a room facing the courtyard if you’re a light sleeper.
Places to Stay on the Presqu’île
InterContinental Lyon Hotel Dieu - best luxury hotel in the old hospital by the Rhône
The InterContinental is in the Grand Hôtel-Dieu, the old hospital by the Rhône, which today also houses shops and restaurants. It had the highest guest rating of the hotels on the peninsula when I searched, and there’s a spa and a gym. It’s my most expensive suggestion here, and some guests mention that the gym is small and that the service in the restaurant can be hit and miss.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful hotel building, absolutely breathtaking!”
See photos and book InterContinental Lyon Hotel Dieu here.
Carlton Hotel Lyon - classic hotel by Place de la République
The Carlton is on Rue Jussieu near Place de la République, so you’re a few minutes’ walk from both the main shopping street and the Rhône. It’s a four-star MGallery hotel with soundproofed rooms, air conditioning and a spa, and it’s my mid-range pick on the peninsula. Some guests mention weak water pressure in the shower and beds that weren’t to their taste.
One delighted guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything about this beautiful hotel was truly exceptional.”
See photos and book Carlton Hotel Lyon here.
Hôtel Le Boulevardier - my cheapest pick of the three, close to Cordeliers
Le Boulevardier is a small two-star hotel on Rue de la Fromagerie near the Saint-Nizier church and Cordeliers. The decor is quirky and playful, and there’s a bar on the ground floor. It’s my budget pick, but the rooms are small, there’s no air conditioning and the stairs are steep, so it suits you best if you travel light and spend most of your time out and about.
One guest highlights two things on Booking.com: “The location is perfect, and the decor is so playful and interesting.”
See photos and book Hôtel Le Boulevardier here.
2. Vieux Lyon - best area for history and romance 🏰
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Vieux Lyon is just across the Saône from the Presqu’île, around 10 minutes’ walk from Place Bellecour.
- 🚡 Transport: Metro line D stops at Vieux Lyon Cathédrale Saint-Jean station, and the F1 and F2 funiculars run from here up Fourvière hill.
- ✈️ Time from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport: Take the Rhônexpress to Part-Dieu, metro B to Saxe-Gambetta and metro D to Vieux Lyon. Allow around 50 minutes as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £135 to £335 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The area is packed with visitors during the day and lively in the evening. The cobbles get slippery when it rains, so wear good shoes.
Vieux Lyon is Lyon’s Old Town and one of the largest Renaissance districts in Europe. It sits at the foot of Fourvière hill and is made up of three small quarters, Saint-Paul, Saint-Jean and Saint-Georges, with narrow cobbled streets, towers with spiral staircases and courtyards hidden behind the façades.
I’d choose Vieux Lyon for a romantic weekend or a trip where history comes first. This is where you’ll find Saint-Jean Cathedral with its astronomical clock, and from the station by the cathedral, the funicular takes you up to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and its view over the city in a few minutes.
Look out for the famous traboules, covered passageways that lead through the buildings from one street to the next. The tourist office’s page on Vieux Lyon gives a good overview, and the area is part of Lyon’s historic centre on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
See hotels in Vieux Lyon here.
From the basilica, you can walk on to the Roman theatres of Fourvière, which are a short distance away. Take the funicular up and walk down the steps and paths through the gardens on the hillside, and you’ll get the view over the city on your way back to the hotel.
In the evening, the streets are full of bouchons, the small restaurants serving traditional Lyonnais food. Many of them line Rue Saint-Jean and are aimed at tourists, so look for the Les Bouchons Lyonnais sign if you want to be sure of the classic cooking.
The downside is that the area is small and popular. There aren’t many hotels, and they’re expensive, several of the old buildings have narrow staircases, and getting around by car is a hassle. Travel light if you can.
Places to Stay in Vieux Lyon
Cour des Loges Lyon - luxury hotel in Renaissance buildings
Cour des Loges is on Rue du Bœuf in the middle of Vieux Lyon and is set in old Renaissance buildings around a courtyard. There’s an indoor pool, a sauna and a spa, and the guest rating is among the highest in the area. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, and some guests mention a slightly musty smell in the rooms and patchy service in the restaurant.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Excellent and stylish hotel in the Old Town with welcoming staff.”
See photos and book Cour des Loges Lyon here.
Le Phénix Hôtel - hotel on the quay along the Saône
Le Phénix is on Quai de Bondy in the northern part of Vieux Lyon by Saint-Paul, with the Saône right outside the door. It’s my mid-range pick here, with air conditioning, a bar and a terrace, and guests praise the cleanliness and the beds. Some rooms are small, and several guests mention that the shower can be tricky to adjust.
One guest sums up their stay on Booking.com: “Good hotel. Lovely and clean and very comfortable beds.”
See photos and book Le Phénix Hôtel here.
Collège Hôtel - the cheapest of the three, with a school theme
Collège Hôtel is on Place Saint-Paul by Saint-Paul station at the northern end of Vieux Lyon. The whole hotel is designed like an old school, and breakfast is served in a room that looks like a classroom. It was the cheapest of the three when I searched, so it’s my budget pick, but there’s no pool or gym, and some guests feel the rooms are basic for the price.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “Good hotel, good location and very friendly and helpful staff.”
See photos and book Collège Hôtel here.
3. Croix-Rousse - best area for local life and markets 🧺
- 📍 Distance from the centre: The slopes start just above Place des Terreaux, and it’s around 20 minutes’ uphill walk to the top of the plateau.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro line C runs from Hôtel de Ville up to Croix-Rousse, and buses cross the plateau.
- ✈️ Time from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport: Take the Rhônexpress to Vaulx-en-Velin La Soie, metro A to Hôtel de Ville and metro C up the hill. Allow around an hour as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £90 to £235 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The plateau is quiet and mostly residential. In the evening, the liveliest part is the slopes near Terreaux, where the bars are.
Croix-Rousse is the hill north of the Presqu’île, where the silk weavers, known as canuts, lived and worked in the 1800s. The buildings were given very high ceilings to make room for the big looms, and that still shapes the area today. The Lyonnais call it the hill that works, while Fourvière is the hill that prays.
I’d stay here if you’ve been to Lyon before or would rather stay in a local neighbourhood than a tourist area. There’s a food market on Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse every day except Monday, and it’s at its biggest on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
See hotels in Croix-Rousse here.
The slopes down towards Terreaux are full of small galleries, cafés and traboules. The best known runs through the Cour des Voraces, where a huge staircase winds up the façade, and on Boulevard des Canuts you’ll find the Mur des Canuts, one of the largest trompe l’oeil murals in Europe. The tourist office’s page on Croix-Rousse has more tips for the area.
The downside is the hills. It’s a long way up from the Presqu’île, and the steps on Montée de la Grande Côte will leave most people out of breath. In return, you get a view over the city and Fourvière from the top, and you can always take the metro up and walk down.
The Esplanade du Gros Caillou at the top of the hill is a good place to end a walk, with a view over the Rhône and the eastern part of the city. It’s a popular meeting spot for locals when the weather’s good.
There aren’t many hotels, so you’ll also find lots of apartments up here. That works well for a longer stay, when you want to shop at the market and cook for yourself.
Places to Stay in Croix-Rousse
Hôtel Fort St Laurent Lyon - luxury hotel with a garden and terrace
Fort St Laurent is on Rue Bodin at the top of the Croix-Rousse slopes and has a garden, a sun terrace and a bar. It’s the most expensive of my three picks in the area and has a high guest rating. Some guests feel it’s a long way from the centre and that the service at the outdoor bar can be slow.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel exceeded our expectations, the rooms, the bed and the bedding, and for the first time I have to mention that the hotel smelled amazing.”
See photos and book Hôtel Fort St Laurent Lyon here.
TRIBE Lyon Croix Rousse - design hotel with great value for money
TRIBE is on Rue de Margnolles in the northern part of the plateau and has a restaurant, a bar, a terrace and a gym. The guest rating is just as high as at Fort St Laurent, but the price is less than half, which makes it my mid-range pick. The rooms are small and can get warm in summer, and some guests would like better control of the air conditioning.
Asked what was best, one guest answers briefly on Booking.com: “Everything! Beautifully designed room, good location, excellent cleaning and, most importantly, very friendly and welcoming staff.”
See photos and book TRIBE Lyon Croix Rousse here.
Le Canut Duviard - cheapest pick with a kitchen, close to the metro
Le Canut Duviard is an apartment on Rue Duviard near Croix-Rousse metro station and the market on the boulevard. You get a fully equipped kitchen and air conditioning, so it’s my budget pick if you want to live like a local. It’s an apartment rather than a hotel, so check the check-in arrangements before you book, and one guest mentions that the sofa bed isn’t very comfortable.
One guest says on Booking.com: “Lovely apartment in an excellent location.”
See photos and book Le Canut Duviard here.
4. Part-Dieu - best area for train travel and short stays 🚄
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Part-Dieu is east of the Rhône, around 25 minutes’ walk from Place Bellecour.
- 🚆 Transport: Lyon Part-Dieu is the city’s biggest railway station, with TGV services, and metro line B and several tram lines stop here.
- ✈️ Time from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport: The Rhônexpress runs directly from the airport to Part-Dieu in about 30 minutes.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £65 to £155 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: As around many big stations, keep an eye on your bag and phone near the station, especially in the evening.
Part-Dieu is Lyon’s business district, with tower blocks, offices and the city’s biggest railway station. It isn’t the prettiest area, but it’s the most practical if you’re arriving by train or moving on after a couple of days. The TGV from Paris takes around two hours, and the Rhônexpress runs directly to the airport every 15 minutes for most of the day.
A single Rhônexpress ticket costs around 16 euros (about £13.50) for adults, and the airport’s own website lists the other options. Lots of people combine Lyon with Paris. If you’re landing at Charles de Gaulle, my guide to getting from Paris Charles de Gaulle to the city centre covers your options, and if you’d like to spend a few days in Paris first, you can read where to stay in Paris and the best things to do in Paris.
The best thing about the area is the covered food market Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse on Cours Lafayette, around ten minutes’ walk from the station. You can taste cheese, sausages and oysters at the stalls and have lunch at the counter. The Westfield Part-Dieu shopping centre is right next to the station if you want to do some shopping.
The station is also the easiest base for day trips, because the regional trains leave from here. The metro gets you to the Presqu’île in around a quarter of an hour, and you can see the area’s two skyscrapers, Tour Part-Dieu and Tour Incity, from much of the city.
The downside is the atmosphere. In the evening, it goes quiet between the office buildings, and it’s a long way to the charming streets of Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse. I’d stay here for one or two nights, or if you have an early train or flight.
Places to Stay in Part-Dieu
Pullman Lyon - hotel right by the station
The Pullman Lyon is on Place Charles Béraudier by the station, so it’s a few minutes’ walk from the train to reception. It has the highest guest rating of the hotels around the station, with a restaurant, a bar and a gym, and it’s my most expensive suggestion in Part-Dieu. Some guests have had slow service or been moved to a worse room, and the breakfast gets mixed reviews.
One guest singles out the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were extremely friendly throughout our stay.”
See photos and book Pullman Lyon here.
Mercure Lyon Centre Gare Part-Dieu - mid-range hotel on the Villette side of the station
The Mercure is on Rue de la Villette on the eastern side of the station, where the Rhônexpress also stops. The rooms have air conditioning and soundproofing, and there’s a restaurant serving French food. It’s my mid-range pick, and the guest rating is high for the price, but some guests mention minor problems with the equipment in the rooms.
One satisfied guest writes on Booking.com: “This should be a five-star hotel! The breakfast was simply amazing, both the choice and the quality!”
See photos and book Mercure Lyon Centre Gare Part-Dieu here.
ibis budget Lyon Centre Gare Part-Dieu - the cheapest hotel in the whole guide
The ibis budget is next to the Mercure on Rue de la Villette and was the cheapest hotel in the whole guide when I searched. You get a small, simple, soundproofed room, but there’s no tea or coffee in the room, and some guests find the rooms get warm and stuffy. It’s my budget pick and a good choice for a night before an early train or flight.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were exceptional, both helpful and friendly.”
See photos and book ibis budget Lyon Centre Gare Part-Dieu here.
5. Les Brotteaux - best area for peace and quiet near Parc de la Tête d’Or 🌳
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 15 minutes’ walk to the Rhône and a little further to the Presqu’île.
- 🚇 Transport: Metro lines A and B stop in the area, and line A takes you straight to the Presqu’île.
- ✈️ Time from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport: Take the Rhônexpress to Part-Dieu and walk the last stretch north. Allow around 45 minutes as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £90 to £155 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: A quiet, well-off area with wide, well-lit streets.
Les Brotteaux is part of the 6th arrondissement east of the Rhône and one of Lyon’s most elegant residential areas. The streets are long and straight, the buildings have handsome façades from the 1800s, and there are lots of bakeries, wine bars and specialist shops where the locals do their shopping.
I’d choose Brotteaux if you want a quiet base that’s still close to everything. The biggest draw is Parc de la Tête d’Or, the city’s huge 105-hectare park with a 16-hectare lake, a botanical garden with large glasshouses and a zoo. Entry to the park is free, and it’s a great place to go with children.
See hotels in Les Brotteaux here.
The old Gare des Brotteaux is no longer used as a station, but the handsome building still stands in the middle of the area and gives you a good sense of the style out here.
From Brotteaux, you can walk to Part-Dieu and the Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse food market, and the metro gets you to the Presqu’île in a few minutes. If you’re coming by car, it’s also easier to find parking here than in Vieux Lyon.
Both the park and the zoo are free to enter, so it’s a good spot for a family on a tight budget. The paths around the lake are flat and perfect for a morning run or a stroll with a pushchair.
The downside is that there aren’t many sights in the area itself, and the nightlife is quiet. You’ll need to take the metro or walk quite a way when you want to get to Vieux Lyon or Croix-Rousse.
Places to Stay in Les Brotteaux
Grand Hotel des Brotteaux - classic hotel close to the park
The Grand Hotel des Brotteaux is on Boulevard des Belges, a few minutes’ walk from Parc de la Tête d’Or. It’s a four-star hotel in a classic building, with a bar and a breakfast buffet using local produce, and it’s my most expensive suggestion in the area. Guests love its charm, but some mention that the air conditioning struggles to keep up during heatwaves and that the heating didn’t work in every room.
One guest describes the hotel like this on Booking.com: “A classic hotel. Full of charm and in a charming location close to the train station.”
See photos and book Grand Hotel des Brotteaux here.
Hôtel Le Roosevelt Lyon Centre - mid-range hotel with private parking
Le Roosevelt is on Rue de Sèze between the Rhône and Parc de la Tête d’Or and has private parking, a breakfast buffet and a gym. It’s my mid-range pick and a good choice if you’re coming by car and want a quiet stay. There are only a few parking spaces, so reserve well in advance, and some guests feel the air conditioning could do with an upgrade.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “Good service from the staff. Helpful and friendly.”
See photos and book Hôtel Le Roosevelt Lyon Centre here.
Au Patio Morand - my cheapest pick of the three, with a terrace
Au Patio Morand is a small three-star hotel on Rue de Créqui with a terrace and a breakfast buffet. It’s my budget pick in Les Brotteaux. The rooms have air conditioning, but they’re small, and guests mention that there’s no lift, so it suits couples with light luggage best.
One guest notes on Booking.com: “The people were sweet and helpful, and the hotel looked clean.”
See photos and book Au Patio Morand here.
6. Confluence - best area for families 🏛️
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Confluence is at the southern tip of the peninsula, about 2 km south of Place Bellecour.
- 🚋 Transport: Tram line T1 runs through the area towards Perrache and Part-Dieu, and the Navigône river shuttle sails along the Saône towards Vieux Lyon.
- ✈️ Time from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport: Take the Rhônexpress to Part-Dieu and tram T1 on to Confluence. Allow around an hour as a rough guide.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £80 to £120 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: A modern and quiet area. There’s less going on in the evening than in the centre, so stick to the well-lit streets around the shopping centre and the quays.
Confluence is Lyon’s newest district, built on an old port and industrial area right at the tip where the Rhône and the Saône meet. Today, it’s an area of modern architecture, offices, apartments and a large shopping centre with shops and restaurants.
I’d choose Confluence for a family, because there’s room to run around and several of the activities are close by. The Musée des Confluences, which covers the history of nature and humankind, sits in a striking glass and steel building out where the rivers meet, and the garden around the museum is a good place for a break. The museum is usually closed on Mondays.
See hotels in Confluence here.
Along the Saône, Parc de Saône has trees and paths, and from the quay you can take the Navigône river shuttle to Vieux Lyon. The orange and green buildings by the water have become the area’s trademark, and in the evening people meet for a drink on the terraces by the quay when the weather allows.
From the tip of the peninsula by the museum, you can watch the Rhône and the Saône flow together. La Sucrière, an exhibition venue in a former sugar warehouse by the Saône, hosts big exhibitions and cultural events, so check the programme before you travel. The shopping centre also has a cinema and lots of restaurants if the weather lets you down.
The downside is the distance. You’ll need to take the tram or metro to get to Vieux Lyon, Croix-Rousse or the big squares, and some hotel guests feel it’s a long way from the centre. In return, you often get more hotel for your money than on the Presqu’île, and there are more aparthotels with kitchens, which makes it cheaper for a family to stay for several days.
Places to Stay in Confluence
Novotel Lyon Centre Confluence - hotel close to the Saône and the shopping centre
The Novotel is on Rue Montrochet near the shopping centre and the Saône, and it’s the most expensive of my three picks in Confluence. There’s a restaurant, a bar with a view over the river, a gym and a play area, and the hotel has family rooms. Some guests feel it’s a long way from the centre and that the breakfast doesn’t quite live up to four stars.
Here’s what one guest says on Booking.com: “Good location and a beautiful hotel. We enjoyed our stay, everything was fantastic.”
See photos and book Novotel Lyon Centre Confluence here.
Aparthotel Adagio Lyon Patio Confluence - best choice for families who want a kitchen
The Adagio is on Cours Charlemagne and has studios and apartments with kitchenettes, a laundry and a gym. It’s my mid-range pick and practical for a family who want to make their own breakfast, and the guest rating is the highest of my three picks in the area. Some guests mention unreliable Wi-Fi, and you’ll need the tram or metro to get into the centre.
On Booking.com, one guest writes: “The hotel is in a good location. The rooms are comfortable.”
See photos and book Aparthotel Adagio Lyon Patio Confluence here.
Greet Hotel Lyon Confluence - cheapest pick close to Perrache station
Greet is on Cours de Verdun Perrache at the northern end of the area near Perrache station, where you can take metro A towards Bellecour. It’s my budget pick in Confluence, with a restaurant, a bar and a terrace. Breakfast is simple, and some guests mention noise from the neighbouring rooms.
One guest singles out the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were very polite, friendly and accommodating.”
See photos and book Greet Hotel Lyon Confluence here.
Where should you avoid staying in Lyon?
I’d avoid the hotels at Saint-Exupéry Airport unless you have a very early flight. The airport is about 25 km from the centre, and the Rhônexpress gets you to Part-Dieu in half an hour anyway.
Be careful about booking far out in the suburbs just because the price is low. If the hotel is a long way from a metro station, you’ll spend a lot of your trip on transport, and there’s not much to do in the evening.
Guillotière in the 7th arrondissement is close to the centre and has lots of cheap hotels and good restaurants, but the area around Place Gabriel Péri has a reputation for being rough in the evening. Read the reviews carefully before you book there.
If it’s your first time in Lyon, I’d stay on the Presqu’île, or in Vieux Lyon if your budget stretches to the historic hotels. Croix-Rousse is the place if you want to live like a local, and Brotteaux gives you peace and quiet near the park. Families get the most space in Confluence, and Part-Dieu is the practical choice if you’re arriving and leaving by train.
Lyon makes a great stop on a longer trip through France. The TGV from Part-Dieu also heads south towards the Mediterranean, so you can carry on to Marseille or Nice. Geneva isn’t far from Lyon either, so have a look at where to stay in Switzerland if you’d like to continue across the border.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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