Choosing where to stay in Lyon can make all the difference when it comes to making the most of your visit. From the historic districts and the lively areas of the Presqu’île to neighbourhoods with excellent public transport connections, each part of the city offers a different experience.
The best area to stay in depends above all on what you are looking for: exploring Lyon on foot, going out and enjoying its restaurants, travelling with family, attending an event or getting around the metropolitan area easily.

In this guide, discover where to stay in Lyon for a short stay, the main neighbourhoods to consider and their advantages, so you can choose the location that best suits your trip.

Located between the Rhône and Saône rivers, the Presqu’île is one of the most convenient areas for staying in the heart of Lyon. From Place Bellecour to the Terreaux district, it is home to numerous shops, restaurants, cafés and cultural venues, while also making it easy to reach several of the city’s must-see attractions on foot.

Staying on the Presqu’île gives you quick access to Vieux Lyon, Place Bellecour, the Lyon Opera and the Museum of Fine Arts. Metro lines and the city’s extensive public transport network also make it easy to reach other neighbourhoods.

It is an excellent choice for a first stay in Lyon, for travellers who want to explore the city on foot, or for those who enjoy being able to go out in the evening without travelling long distances.

The downside of its central location is that it is a very lively area, and accommodation can be in particularly high demand, especially at weekends and during major events in Lyon.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with part of Lyon’s historic centre, Vieux Lyon is one of the city’s most iconic neighbourhoods. Its cobbled streets, Renaissance buildings and famous traboules provide a particularly charming setting for discovering Lyon’s heritage.

The area offers easy access to Saint-Jean Cathedral, the banks of the Saône and Fourvière Hill. From Vieux Lyon, the funicular also provides quick access to the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière and the Roman theatres.

This area is particularly well suited to travellers visiting Lyon for sightseeing, heritage and its historic atmosphere. Numerous restaurants and tourist attractions are located nearby.

There are, however, a few things to keep in mind: some streets can be very busy, and the terrain becomes quite steep as you head up towards Fourvière. For a stay focused mainly on business travel, other neighbourhoods may be more convenient.

Perched on the hills above Lyon, Croix-Rousse has a very distinctive identity. Once home to the canuts, Lyon’s silk workers, it still retains a village atmosphere today, with its small squares, local shops, cafés and market.

Walking around the neighbourhood is a great way to discover the slopes of Croix-Rousse, its traboules, the Mur des Canuts and beautiful views over Lyon. The metro provides quick access to the city centre from the plateau.

Croix-Rousse is particularly well suited to travellers looking for a lively and authentic neighbourhood while staying slightly away from the tourist bustle of the city centre.

As with Fourvière, however, the hilly terrain is worth keeping in mind. The slopes can make some journeys on foot more demanding, although public transport makes getting to and from the city centre much easier.

Located around one of Lyon’s main railway stations, Part-Dieu is a particularly convenient area for a short stay. Lyon Part-Dieu station offers numerous rail connections, and the neighbourhood is served by an extensive network of metro, tram and bus services.

Its location makes it easy to reach central Lyon and the main tourist areas, while also providing quick access to other parts of the metropolitan area. The Presqu’île and Place Bellecour are easily accessible by public transport, and some parts of the city centre can also be reached on foot from the neighbourhood.

Part-Dieu therefore offers an excellent balance for both leisure and business stays: easy arrival by train, excellent public transport connections, and plenty of shops and services nearby, while remaining close to Lyon’s main attractions.

Compared with the more tourist-oriented areas of Vieux Lyon and the Presqu’île, the neighbourhood has a more contemporary feel. It can also offer a good balance between location, accessibility and budget, particularly for travellers who want to enjoy central Lyon without necessarily staying right in the heart of the city.

At the southern end of the Presqu’île, Confluence offers a more contemporary side of Lyon. Once an industrial area and now extensively redeveloped, the neighbourhood stands out for its modern architecture, landscaped waterfront areas and new urban spaces.

The neighbourhood is home to the Musée des Confluences, the banks of the Saône and the Confluence marina. Restaurants, shops and walking areas add to the appeal of the district, while the tram provides easy access to the rest of the Presqu’île.

Confluence is particularly well suited to travellers looking for a modern, pleasant and relatively quiet environment while remaining well connected to central Lyon. The neighbourhood can also be a good choice for families thanks to its pedestrian areas and waterfront walks.

Its location, further south of the city centre, means that public transport is more useful for some sightseeing. In return, Confluence offers a different atmosphere from Lyon’s historic districts, with more space and easy access to both the Rhône and the Saône.

Located in Lyon’s 6th arrondissement, the Brotteaux area offers an elegant and lively setting, with numerous restaurants, cafés and shops. Its architecture, wide avenues and proximity to Parc de la Tête d’Or make it a popular neighbourhood for a stay in Lyon.

The area’s main advantage is its proximity to Parc de la Tête d’Or, one of the city’s largest green spaces. Its gardens, lake and broad paths offer plenty of opportunities for walks and provide a welcome escape just minutes from the city centre.

Les Brotteaux is particularly well suited to travellers looking for a pleasant, well-connected neighbourhood close to green spaces, as well as families and visitors who want to enjoy local restaurants and neighbourhood life.

The area is slightly removed from Lyon’s main historic sights, but public transport provides quick access to the city centre. Its proximity to Part-Dieu is also an advantage for travellers arriving by train.

There is no single ideal neighbourhood for a stay in Lyon: the best choice depends mainly on how you want to experience the city.

For a first stay focused primarily on sightseeing, the Presqu’île and Vieux Lyon put you close to the main historic sights. Croix-Rousse will appeal more to travellers looking for a neighbourhood atmosphere and a more authentic side of Lyon.

Part-Dieu is one of the most versatile choices, particularly for combining sightseeing, business travel and easy access by train. Its excellent transport connections make it easy to reach the city centre quickly while staying in an area with plenty of shops and services.

Confluence is better suited to those who enjoy contemporary architecture and walks along the waterfront, while Brotteaux and the Tête d’Or area offer a good balance for travellers looking for restaurants, green spaces and proximity to the city centre.

Before choosing your accommodation, consider your priorities: proximity to the sights, transport links, neighbourhood atmosphere, peace and quiet, or budget. In Lyon, just a few stops by metro or tram are often enough to move quickly from one part of the city to another.

Once you have chosen your neighbourhood, the location of your accommodation remains essential to making the most of your stay. A well-connected apartment makes it easy to explore Lyon, whether you are visiting for a few days of sightseeing, a business trip or an event.

Our furnished apartments in Lyon are well suited to short leisure and business stays, with easy access to public transport, shops and the city’s main neighbourhoods.

Browse our available apartments in Lyon and choose the one that best suits your stay.