What's it like living in Lyon(and surrounds)? Anyone know it?

Question

Shopping, cafe scene, bars, music venues, housing, nationalities that live there, problems, areas to avoid, size of the place(and anonymity/or not), which nearby towns and country is attractive?, how you find the climate, do you use sunscreen, are there many Brits there? Is it friendly? Is it an attractive city? Good public transport? Any anything else I should know?

Answer 1

Lyon is one of the loveliest and most attractive cities in France, it is also the third in size after Paris and Marseille.

It is divided into Arrondissements (like Paris), each one pertains to a neighbourhood. I used to live in the 6ème., near Le Parc de la Tête d'Or, which is absolutely gorgeous. with a magnificent rose garden, a small zoo, man mad lakes and promenades. Great for a long walk on a sunny day... There is also a café at one end of the park to have a coffee on a chilly day, or a cool drink on a warm one.

The 1ère and 2ème are the heart of the city, on the presqu'ile, between the Saone and Rhône rivers. The Hôtel de Ville, Palais des Beaux Arts and Opera Building are all in this part of the city (1ère Arr.) on The Place des Terreaux is a magnificent fountain designed by Bertholdi (creator of the Statue of Liberty). As you walk south on the main street which is the Rue de la République (now completely pedestrian during a large part of it) You will go past the Palais de la Bourse on to the Palce de la République and down yo Place Bellecour, the largest square in France, with its equestrian statue of Louis XIVth. When you reach Bellecour cross the Pont Bonaparte to Le Vieux Saint Jean... which is the oldest part of Lyon (5ème Arr.) Visit the buildngs and narrow streets in this quarter of the city, especially the Tour Henri IV dating back to the XVth. century. The Traboules, passageways between the buildings that join the different streets. The Saint Jean gothic cathedral. Also the small restaurants that are called "bouchons" where the food is delicious... Then go to the top of the Fourvière hill to visit the Basilica, the roman ruins and the archeological museum. The 4ème Arr. is La Croix Rousse, neighbourhood where the silk merchants used to be (also worth a visit).

The public transport system is quite good, several bus and metro lines are in service.

Climate is ok, warm in summer and cold in winter, but not too bad.

The people are quite varied, and there are many nationalities represented among inmigrants and students.

The Claude Bernard University campus in Villeurbanne is excellent (Both my children studied there)

As to the outskirts...Charbonnières with its casino, Ecully, Champagne au Mont d'Or. Tassin La Demi Lune, Dardilly, Limonest, all to the northwest on the Monts D'Or area are nice to live in. (Then there is Collonges, where Paul Bocuse has his world famous restaurant!). And further out Trevoux, Fontaine sur Saone,  Villefranche sur Saone, Ars, all worth visiting... To the west Francheville, Chaponost, Mornant and many others...Then to the east Genas, Chassieu, Decines... These used to be industrial areas, but they have become excellent towns to live in.  There are so many nice things about Lyon that it would take hours and pages to describe, museums, monuments, churches worth visiting and many other things... (If you are a sports fan there are plenty of things to do also... Gerland has great sports facilities. And Villeurbanne has a great soccer team! )

Lyon is one of my favourite cities in France.

Answer 2

Oh my god it's beautiful !!! you'd love it !!!