Erasmus Experience in Lyon, France by Chloe

Why did you choose to go to Lyon, France?

I wanted to choose a city in France that I had not visited before. Having done some research I did not hear anything negative about Lyon and therefore opted for it.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I will be here for 5 months.

I receive a maintenance loan from student finance and an Erasmus grant.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lyon?

Student lifestyle is a very diverse phrase.

On a daily basis, Lyon is a great city for students, especially those learning the language. There is a wide variety of cultural visits to be made, most with a student discount offered. Lyon has an enormous number of students, French and foreign and the universities frequently put events on for their students. As for nightlife, it is very expensive in comparison to my northern university. You are looking at an average of 10E entry per night.

Would you recommend the city and the University of Lyon to other students?

I would recommend the city and University Lyon to other students. Fantastic time with so much to explore.

Source

What is the food like?

Lyon being the gastronomical capital of France, it is safe to say the food is fantastic. There are lots of specialities and you can easily get a 3/4 course menu for 20E in a traditional "bouchons".

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Lyon?

It didn't cost me to find accommodation in Lyon but mainly because I was so appalled at possibly having to pay that i did very thorough research. On the contrary, I pay a small admin fee on a monthly basis.

How much does it cost to live in Lyon?

You are looking at a minimum of 450E per month. It is not cheap and you do not get much for your money. Research far in advance is highly recommended.

Source

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

I am a student of French so hard to comment here as I have been speaking the language for a long time. Not sure about language courses but lots of people willing to do tandems and or tutor.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Lyon from your city?

For me the easiest way is to fly to London. Cheap, quick and easy.

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Lyon?

I would recommend pre-drinking and then going to a mainstream club if you are willing to spend some money. I particularly enjoyed "Transbordeur" so if they do a free night, make sure you get yourself there since on a normal night is is around 15E entry! Other notable places are le pop and Ayers Rock (although bar staff are extremely rude!

For drinks, Boston Bar near Hotel de Ville is good and Red House near Lyon uni 3 has a long happy hour!

And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Lyon?

Be careful! do not get stuck in Vieux Lyon when hungry as you will settle for things that are not great! Espace Carnot is great, but pricey. There is a fantastic chinese restaurant just off Place Carnot in the 2nd district.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

Too many to list but personal favourites are : Fourvière, Vieux Lyon, Place des Terraux, MAC and parc tete d'or.

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Lyon in the future?

Consider living with a family! Better value for money, guaranteed to speak and learn french and an easy way to get an insight into the french culture!