Work in Lyon

One of the main advantages of Lyon for your career is that it is one of the most dynamic cities of France, but also of Europe and the world, which also means it’s possible to find a job in English in Lyon.

It is home to 1 million inhabitants from all over the planet, and is the second most populous city in France after Paris and before Marseille and an economic powerhouse. Local public and private universities also attract thousands of young people who come to study in Lyon every year and offer continuing education programs to professionals like you who wish to improve their skills.

With its Saint-Exupéry International Airport, it is easy to access from anywhere in the world, with flights from the Americas, Africa, Asia, Oceania and all of Europe. It is also very accessible through railway, thanks to its 6 train stations, with 3 of them receiving high-speed trains.

As a clear sign of the city’s economic health: 15,000 companies were founded there in 2021, supported by the metropolis. Another good reason to come and work in Lyon!

More on this subject: why should you work in France?

Lyon is home to many economic sectors, which offer many opportunities to specialized professionals. Here, you can find a job in the domain you are interested in.

Social and solidarity economy, social innovation

The city is committed to promoting economic activities that meet the social and environmental needs of the metropolis.

Industry

Lyon is an historical industrial city that managed to modernize its secondary sector. Fabric, especially silk, is the local speciality for which the city has been world-renowned for centuries, but many sectors are present, such as chemistry, energy, pharmaceutical and biotech.

Food, farming and gastronomy

The city is a land of farming (10 600 ha of total cultivated area), gastronomy (more than 5000 thousand restaurants) and food industry (with companies such as Panzani or Blédina).

Cleantech

The metropolis invests more than €54 million in ecotechnologies, the highest budget in France in this sector. Lyon’s objective is to attract specialized companies to its territory.

Sustainable tourism, hotels

Tourism is one of the key economic sectors of Lyon, due to its rich patrimony with attractive monuments such as the basilica Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Amphitheatre of the Three Gauls, the Fine Arts Museum, the Renaissance streets of Lyon, etc. The city’s goal is to develop sustainable tourism on its territory.

Logistics and transport

Lyon is a major crossroads at the heart of Europe and developed the necessary structures to improve the transportation and storage of goods.

Life Sciences and Health

Besides the pharmaceutical industry, Lyon is at the cutting edge of healthcare, medical, social and prevention sectors. It is home to companies and research centers dedicated to oncology, immunology, medical technologies or veterinary care for example.

Digital industry

The city invests a lot in this sector. By promoting it, Lyon became the second digital ecosystem in France in terms of startups.

Culture and the creative industries

In Lyon, 21,000 people work in culture and creation, which makes it the second most important cultural and artistic metropolis in France. The city offers specialized structures (9,800 organizations dedicated to cultural and creative activities) and events all year round.

Services to individuals and companies

The tertiary sector is central to the local economy: nearly 488,000 jobs, more than 100,000 businesses and la Part-Dieu, the second largest French business district.

Lyon also offers a large public transportation system for commuting and private travels.

The TCL (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) network is made up of:

• 4 subway lines
• 2 funicular lines
• 7 tramway lines
• 120 bus lines and 3 nocturnal lines (Pleine Lune)

The public transports cover the entirety of the metropolitan area and allows inhabitants to live and work in two distant places without having to drive a car.

It is also at the heart of France and Europe thanks to its numerous highways (A6, A7, A42, A43, A46 et A47) that link Lyon to cities such as Paris or Marseille.

Working in Lyon will also let you enjoy a high quality of life. In the center, you can stroll through the old streets, filled with restaurants (don’t forget to try a bouchon, the local traditional restaurant) and cafés where you can enjoy a good time with family and friends in the evening or during the weekend.

You will also enjoy one of the richest patrimony in France, with unique historical landmarks that both tourists and residents love.

And of course, Lyon is also a lively city the entire year, with events such as the Festival of Lights, Nights of Fourvière, Nuits Sonores etc.