Studying in Lyon

Lyon is France’s second-largest urban area, an elegant city at the meeting of two rivers, famous for its food. It hosts a large student population and strong programmes in science, medicine, engineering, and business, with a high quality of life and noticeably lower costs than Paris.

Universities and major institutes

• Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
• Université Lumière Lyon 2 & Jean Moulin Lyon 3
• ENS de Lyon
• INSA Lyon (engineering)
• EM Lyon Business School

Cost of living

Lyon is more affordable than Paris, though it is still a substantial city rather than a bargain. A room in a shared flat typically runs €450 to €750 a month, with older flats near La Guillotière usually cheaper than newer student residences further out. CROUS runs canteen restaurants across the main university sites on the same subsidised, fixed-price model found nationwide, a genuinely good way to eat properly without cooking every night. Some students, particularly those on lower incomes or specific scholarships, may qualify for CAF housing assistance; eligibility depends on nationality and scholarship status and has shifted in recent years, so confirm your own position with CAF before building it into your budget. Add a discounted transport pass and modest grocery costs, and a careful student can live comfortably here on notably less than in the capital.

Getting around

Lyon’s public transport is run by TCL, combining two metro lines, trams, buses, and a funicular that climbs to Fourvière and its basilica above the old town. The network is compact enough to cross the city in well under an hour, and students benefit from discounted annual passes that make daily use worthwhile even for short trips. Cycling is popular too, helped by the Vélo’v bike-share scheme and a growing network of lanes along the Rhône and Saône.

Weather and lifestyle

Lyon’s climate is more continental than either Paris or the south: winters can turn properly cold, with occasional fog off the rivers, while summers get genuinely hot, often warmer than northern France for weeks at a stretch. The Presqu’île and Croix-Rousse fill their terraces the moment the weather turns, and the food culture, from bouchons to markets, leans heavily on eating outdoors when the season allows. August is quieter here too, with some family-run bouchons closing for a few weeks while their owners take a break.

Working while you study

Non-EU students can generally work up to 964 hours a year on a student residence permit, and Lyon’s size gives more part-time options than smaller French cities: hospitality, retail, and campus roles through CROUS are the usual starting points for students still building their French. Business students at EM Lyon and others with strong English may also find tutoring or administrative work at international companies based in the city. As with anywhere in France, a working level of French makes the job search considerably easier.

Neighbourhoods for students

• La Guillotière (7th): central, diverse, popular with students.
• Croix-Rousse: characterful former silk-weavers’ district.
• Villeurbanne: home to many campuses, more affordable.
• Presqu’île: central and lively, a little pricier.

Explore more: universities in France, cost of living, and student visas.