Lyon: Ranked 25th in our ranking
France has some great cities that make a very favourable impression on their residents. Lyon is one of them, with around 13% of its residents being foreigners.
Although the survey has not placed the city in the top 10 and it becomes the city that closes the list, it should not be ignored that Lyon occupies the first position in the cost of living top. This is a very important fact compared to other cities in France and Europe as a whole.
As the third largest city in France, Lyon is in good health in terms of population and attracts professionals from all over the world who choose it as an alternative city of residence.
Of all the French cities, Lyon does not fare well in terms of climate, as it has the coldest climate in France. Winters are bitterly cold, with temperatures dropping as low as 3°C, which compared to other parts of France is a level of cold for which you’ll need to wrap up warm.
Summers, in contrast, are more pleasant, with a warm temperature, but without reaching the extremes of other European areas. The only thing to bear in mind is that rain can be occasional and fall at any time of the season.
Lyon’s transport network provides a range of options for getting around the city, depending on whether you need to travel through the city centre or the surrounding area. There is a strong bus network which complements other, more comfortable means of transport.
Lyon’s four metro lines offer a very specific service in parts of the city that will be useful for day-to-day travel. There are also other recommended methods, such as the Rhônexpress train or the tramway, which consists of five different lines.
Lyon is a city that attracts a large number of students from all over the world, as confirmed by the many universities offering international education. For displaced families, it is a great support, as they are guaranteed to be able to educate their children in an international environment that fits in with their traditions and language.
Some of the international study centres in the city include the Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon, which includes classes geared towards the study of Japanese. Other centres are represented by the Ombrosa International School or the École Greenfield, among others.
French cuisine is represented in Lyon with a wide variety of recipes and dishes that residents get used to easily due to the convergence with international flavours. For example, chicken poulet Célestine, which has been prepared for centuries and remains a favourite recipe among the locals.
From medieval times, pâté en croute is still prepared, which is a pâté that is wrapped in baked dough and has an intense flavour. Other recommended dishes are the quenelle and, of course, the Lyonnaise salad, one of the characteristic dishes of the region.
Lyon’s airport is Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport, which is located 20km from the city centre. It has two terminals which handle both domestic and international passenger and cargo movements and routes.
The best way to get to the airport is by the Rhônexpress train, which makes the journey to the city convenient. In addition to the airport station, the train makes three stops: Part-Dieu, Vaulx-en-Velin and Meyzieu Z.I.
Lyon is a city of ample security where there is little to worry about on a day-to-day basis, and allows residents the opportunity to live peacefully. The major incidents that can occur are related to pickpocketing.
However, care should be taken to avoid certain places at night, such as the districts of Guillotière, Gerland and the junction of Bocage, Mermoz and Windmill, where crime or risky situations can occur.
Among the initiatives the city is implementing to reinforce sustainability are its actions to promote biodiversity, environmental protection in construction processes and the correct management of energy use.
They aim to generate zero carbon emissions and to increase as much green space as possible, making it a better place to live in a natural way. It is an effort that our respondents did not highlight, but it helps the city’s name to become more and more sustainable.
While Lyon did not make it into other categories in our top 10 cities in Europe, it does manage to stand out in the cost of living section. Not only does it do so by making it into the top 10, but also by taking first place ahead of other places such as Lisbon and Madrid, which are in second and third place respectively.
The reasons for Lyon’s success lie in the affordability of rental housing, good prices for food and consumer goods, as well as the ease of obtaining good prices for general services and transport.
Lyon has long been one of the places in Europe with the longest cultural tradition. It was the place where, in 1895, the first cinema broadcast was used by the Lumière brothers. Today there is the Lumière Institute, which works to protect and defend the legacy of the creators of this invention, which has been enjoyed for generations all over the world.
In the city you can also visit Opéra Nouvel to attend the performances of the Opéra National de Lyon or visit old museums such as the African Museum of Lyon or the Museum of Resistance and Deportation which finds its origins related to the Second World War.
Throughout the year, families living in Lyon can enjoy many events designed for the citizens, such as the Festival of Lights. For a good time surrounded by nature and a fresh environment, there are places that stand out, such as Parc de la Tete d’Or, Parc des Hauteurs or Parc Naturel de la Feyssine, all in very natural settings.
Families also enjoy visiting Le Pal, which combines the fun of an amusement park with the presence of zoo-like animals.