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Trip Report

Living in Lyon

I spent 5 months in one of the greatest cities in France. Lyon is a true gem and It is worth your while.

  • Lyon+ 6
  • Lyon
  • Lyon
  • Living in Lyon
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About Me:Hello I´m Catalina i'm 21 and im from Colombia. In 2018 I lived abroad in Lyon France and that's when i did most of my travelling. Im good when travelling on a budget. When i travel i look forward to learning about the culture and explorin... read more

EuropeFrance200 days / August - September - October - November - December 2018

Highs & Lows

Insanely beautiful city, very easy to move around, lots of things to do

The metro shuts down at midnight, so does the tram that takes you to the airport

Itinerary Overview

 

I arrived to Lyon and immediately was mesmerized by the Rhône that divides the city. My first two months I stayed with an old French lady in Vieux Lyon which is the old part of city. Vieux lyon is of the of prettiest aspects of the city, the architecture is amazing, and it’s filled with great restaurants, cafes, and unique shops. Walking around Vieux lyon is one of the best activities to do. While I stayed there, I visited the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste and took the metro up to the mountain and encountered the view of all the city next to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. another beautiful cathedral. I walked a lot to Bellecour plaza which is where the main metro station is. Then walked through the shops and did some shopping in Cordelier. On sunny days I visited The Parc de la Tête d'or, a park in which there is also a zoo. I had a picnic there and went for a run, it is truly beautiful. I also paid around 6 euros and rented a paddle boat to sail through the lake.

 

I got a metro card and used the metro, tram, and bus frequently, the public transportation is great. Even though you can certainly walk most places. I frequently ate near bellecour specially in a pizzeria called Pizza Pino and a delicious entrecote restaurant called Bistro Régent. For dessert my go to place was frozen yogurt place in Vieux Lyon. I used to go to bars in place the terraux where it is great to sit down and get a beer. My friend was a Peaky Blinders fan, so I also went to a themed bar near perrache. During summer one of the greatest things to do was to sit on the stairs facing the Hotel-Dieu and drink beer or have a sandwich. If I wanted to do some shopping, I went to Confluence a huge shopping mall or Part-Dieu. The museums in Lyon are also a must especially the museum of Confluences and the museum of contemporary arts.

 

During my stay I was also able to attend the Fête des Lumières (the festival of lights). If you are considering visiting lyon you should try to book around December since it’s the date of the festival every year. This festival it's truly a spectacle you can’t miss.

  • 150 Nights: Lyon
    I was learning french in Lyon
  • 50 Nights: Vieux Lyon
    Vieux Lyon is a great location to live and a beautiful place to be
  • Day trip: Parc de la Tête d'Or
    the park is a great location for a sunny day to go on a walk, visit the zoo or have a picnic
Lyon - I was learning french in Lyon
1

Lyon I was learning french in Lyon

Lyon - I was learning french in Lyon - null
Lyon - I was learning french in Lyon - null
Lyon - I was learning french in Lyon - null

arrived to Lyon and immediately was mesmerized by the Rhône that divides the city. My first two months I stayed with an old French lady in Vieux Lyon which is the old part of city. Vieux lyon is of the of prettiest aspects of the city, the architecture is amazing, and it’s filled with great restaurants, cafes, and unique shops. Walking around Vieux lyon is one of the best activities to do. While I stayed there, I visited the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste and took the metro up to the mountain and encountered the view of all the city next to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. another beautiful cathedral. I walked a lot to Bellecour plaza which is where the main metro station is. Then walked through the shops and did some shopping in Cordelier. Lyon is a true gem, and it is worth your while. I got a metro card and used the metro, tram, and bus frequently, the public transportation is great. Even though you can certainly walk most places. I frequently ate near bellecour specially in a pizzeria called Pizza Pino and a delicious entrecote restaurant called Bistro Régent. For dessert my go to place was frozen yogurt place in Vieux Lyon. I used to go to bars in place the terraux where it is great to sit down and get a beer. My friend was a Peaky Blinders fan, so I also went to a themed bar near perrache. During summer one of the greatest things to do was to sit on the stairs facing the Hotel-Dieu and drink beer or have a sandwich. If I wanted to do some shopping, I went to Confluence a huge shopping mall or Part-Dieu. The museums in Lyon are also a must especially the museum of Confluences and the museum of contemporary arts.                       

Vieux Lyon - Vieux Lyon is a great location to live and a beautiful place to be
2

Vieux Lyon Vieux Lyon is a great location to live and a beautiful place to be

Vieux Lyon - Vieux Lyon is a great location to live and a beautiful place to be - null
Vieux Lyon - Vieux Lyon is a great location to live and a beautiful place to be - null
Vieux Lyon - Vieux Lyon is a great location to live and a beautiful place to be - null

I arrived to Lyon and immediately was mesmerized by the Rhône that divides the city. My first two months I stayed with an old French lady in Vieux Lyon which is the old part of city. Vieux lyon is of the of prettiest aspects of the city, the architecture is amazing, and it’s filled with great restaurants, cafes, and unique shops. Walking around Vieux lyon is one of the best activities to do. While I stayed there, I visited the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste and took the metro up to the mountain and encountered the view of all the city next to the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière. another beautiful cathedral. Vieux Lyon is beautiful and you can get lost and walk around as long as you wish and won't get bored.

Parc de la Tête d'Or - the park is a great location for a sunny day to go on a walk, visit the zoo or have a picnic
3

Parc de la Tête d'Or the park is a great location for a sunny day to go on a walk, visit the zoo or have a picnic

Parc de la Tête d'Or - the park is a great location for a sunny day to go on a walk, visit the zoo or have a picnic - null
Parc de la Tête d'Or - the park is a great location for a sunny day to go on a walk, visit the zoo or have a picnic - null
Parc de la Tête d'Or - the park is a great location for a sunny day to go on a walk, visit the zoo or have a picnic - null

On sunny days I visited The Parc de la Tête d'or, a park in which there is also a zoo. I had a picnic there and went for a run, it is truly beautiful. I also paid around 6 euros and rented a paddle boat to sail through the lake. I spent many days and hours in this park reading or walking. it truly is magical how it changes throughout the seasons. 

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    I would have stayed less months
  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    no everything was fine
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    pizza pino and Bistro Régent
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    buy a metrocard and positively don't visit guilliotiere
  • Packing tips?

    bring clothes depending on the season, it gets very hot on summer and very cold on winter
  • Transportation Tips?

    public transportation is great but shuts down at midnight and runs again at 5am.
  • Any surprises?

    no, just lots of things to do
  • Booking details?

    no, i stayed with a french lady

Lodging