What are the cities near Lyon?

If you want to live close to the city centre and at the same time pay less for your rent or buy your apartment or house, you can choose to live just outside of Lyon. For example, you can move to the following cities.

Villeurbanne

As the second largest city in the urban area of Lyon (150,000 inhabitants), Villeurbanne can be considered a natural extension of Lyon, loved for its multiculturalism, dynamism and quick access to the centre of Lyon. It takes less than 20 minutes to get from Villeurbanne’s town hall to Perrache, in the centre of the Lyon peninsula.

Bron

To the east of Lyon is Bron, with a population of around 45,000. This city offers a great suburban experience with perfect access to the city. Known for its quieter streets and green spaces, it’s a good choice for families and professionals.

Caluire-et-Cuire

Caluire-et-Cuire offers a different living experience to Villeurbanne et Bron. With its dynamic neighbourhoods, it offers all kinds of shops and services without having to go to Lyon. Its location also offers beautiful views of the Saône, Lyon and even the Alps (in some places, on a clear day, you can even see Mont Blanc).

Close to Lyon’s centre, you may also choose to live in: Vénissieux, Tassin-la-Demi-Lune, Écully…

About 15 km from Lyon, you will find several cities that offer a residential charm and proximity to the city, while also being closer to the countryside. They all offer a different lifestyle and cater for all tastes. Here are some of the cities you could choose to live in.

Saint-Priest

In Saint-Priest you will find different neighbourhoods with various atmospheres. There are many large apartment blocks in the centre, but if you are looking for a quieter, more countryside environment, the village is the perfect place to live. It really does feel like a small town, but is very close to Lyon. You could also choose Hauts-de-Feuilly, where you will find more modern houses.

Vaulx-en-Velin

In Vaulx-en-Velin, you’re still close to Lyon and Villeurbanne, but you’re also close to the countryside. One of the town’s strong points is its proximity to the Miribel-Jonage park, part of which is in Vaulx-en-Velin. This large green space offers many activities for the whole family. It is also home to universities such as ENTPE (spatial planning) and ENSAL (architecture), which will appeal to young people who want to study in Lyon.

Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or

Although Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or is next to Lyon, its location far from the centre makes it a rather medium-distance city. Its small size and population (less than 10,000) will make you feel like you are far from the historic centre of Lyon, while in fact the place Bellecour is just 30 minutes away by public transport. Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or is nestled in the greenery of the northern hills. With its houses, it’s a quiet town, but accommodation tends to be scarce and quite expensive compared to other medium-distance towns.

Among other medium-distance cities, you may also choose to live in: Charbonnière-les-Bains, Fontaines-sur-Saône, Dardilly, Feyzin…

Not everyone likes to live close to the city! Settling closer to fields, forests and green hills is a better fit for many people. If you are one of them, many towns near Lyon offer such a setting for your daily life. Here is a selection of some of the best places to look!

Les Monts d’Or

Located north of Lyon, the Monts d’Or (Golden Mountains) is a hilly region with several small towns characterised by their houses, from the most traditional to large villas designed by famous architects. Property there is expensive because it’s so close to Lyon, but it has a real country atmosphere that makes it very attractive. That’s where Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or (mentioned above) is located, but there are many other towns to choose from: Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d’Or, Limonest, Champagne-au-Mont-d’Or, Saint-Romain-au-Mont-d’Or, Albigny-sur-Saône, Chasselay, etc.

Les Monts du Lyonnais

To the south-west are the Monts du Lyonnais, ideal for those who want to live in the countryside. There are many small rural towns. The landscape is hilly, although the terrain is flatter than in the Monts d’Or. When you get there, you will notice the many medieval villages and monuments that give this area a special atmosphere. There, you may find your future home in: Saint-Martin-en-Haut, Pomeys, Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise, Larajasse, Aveize, etc.

South of Lyon

Due to the proximity of the Vallée de la Chimie, an industrial zone dedicated to the chemical industry, real estate tends to be less expensive in this part of Lyon’s region. The good thing is that you’ll still be very close to the countryside, as this area tends to have a low population density. If you want to move to the south of Lyon, you could look at the following towns, for example: Solaize, Saint-Symphorien-d’Ozon, Corbas, etc.

One of Lyon’s greatest strengths is its transportation system. As one of the largest cities in France, it has developed an extensive network comprising:

• 120 buses and trolleybuses,
• 4 metro lines serving 44 stations (30 km of track),
• 7 tram lines.

Thanks to this network, Lyon is a city where you will rarely need a car. However, if you live in a remote area and have to drive to get to Lyon, here’s some advice: The region is hilly. If you want to estimate the distance between you and Lyon, don’t look at the distance, it can be tricky as you probably won’t drive in a straight line. Instead, look at a GPS to see how long it will take you to get there.

Living in a town near Lyon is an exciting prospect, with countless opportunities for expatriates and students, and a large urban area where you can find all sorts of places to live to suit your lifestyle. If you would like more information about Lyon and nearby cities, please contact us! Our team will be in touch with you soon!