Experience in Lyon, France by Sarah

What is it like to live in Lyon? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Lyon is the nicest town in France, in my opinion. It's a "big" city, but not too big, there are plenty of stuff to do, so many parties almost overnight everywhere (especially on thursday night, it's THE night for the students). The city is lovely and the access is so easy. Subways, tramways, and buses almost takes you everywhere and are quite cheap. The lifestyle is chill, the city is safer than most of the big cities.

What is the student lifestyle like in Lyon?

The student lifestyle is perfect. Everything is designed for us, any restaurants has a menu for students, the accommodations are cheaper for students, and the colleges are really good. There are colleges libraries almost everywhere, with silence, and you can work there until really late hours. Lyon is designed for students. And the parties are amazing, every thursday nights is almost always booked for students

How much does it cost to live in Lyon?

Lyon is way cheaper than Paris but still, it costs money. The accommodation transports, subways and stuff costs around 30 euros per month, and if you fell like eating outside everyday, you should be prepared to pay around 5 to 10 euros by meal, depending one where/what you eat. But if you want to cook, the supermarket are accessible, for a week of groceries for one person, you might spend something like 25-50 euros.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Lyon? Is there any advice you can give?

I live at my parents so i don't have much advise to give, but to what i heard, it's kinda hard to find a flat. You really should take care of that early, to be sure.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is good, Lyon is the capital of "Tacos", it's a street food you're find everywhere in Lyon, with meat, cheese, french fries. A regular tacos would cost 6,50 to 8 euros on a menu, depending one where you get it. The best one is "La marinade" in Villeurbanne. A pleasure to the stomach. However, Lyon is also the gastronomic french capital, so in terms of food, you have EVERYTHING, and almost everything is good.

What places would you recommend visiting in Lyon?

I'd recommend the Place Bellecour which is the "center" of Lyon where everyone meets everyone, but every district is cool (except for some places like "la guillotiere" where you don't wanna stay too long because of the many pickpockets). The old town "Vieux Lyon" is one of my favorite, everything is juste so cute and beautiful. The malls are also really good, for example La Part Dieu (the business center) and Confluence.

Is it good to eat out in Lyon? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes. My favorite spot is "La Marinade" where you'd get the best french Tacos ever, in Villeurbanne.

Is the nightlife good in Lyon? Where is good to go?

Yeah it's fun, the best clubs are Le Azar, le Sucre, the F&K and la Maison but you need to be properly dressed up for these (except Le sucre). Anyway the docks are the best place to chill with you friends if you just want to laugh and enjoy your life.

What advice would you give future students heading to Lyon?

Be ready to live the best time of your life!