As the third-largest city in France, Lyon is a popular spot for visitors escaping the crowds of Paris and the heat of the French Riviera. Known for its culinary heritage and location between two major rivers, Lyon is a unique and interesting stop for a few days on your France itinerary, so I wanted to share my recommendation for the best place to stay in Lyon.
I spent about five days in Lyon and explored many different parts of the city center. I got lucky and found a great hotel in the perfect location, but I also looked out for other hotels in convenient, safe and authentic local districts that I could recommend to friends and family who were also planning trips to Lyon.
Below, I’ll cover three of the best places to stay in Lyon along with some highly-rated hotels in each area. At the end I’ll also highlight some interesting properties on the outskirts of the city (most would require a car) and show you where to find my guide to the best things to do in Lyon in one or two days.
Presqu’ile: The Center of Lyon
In my opinion, Presqu’ile is the best place to stay in Lyon. The name translates to “peninsula” in French, and it describes the area in the middle of the city, between the Rhone and Saone rivers. The peninsula itself is about three kilometers long, but I recommend staying in the area that falls between Place Bellecour and the Lyon-Perrache train station.
This is the best place to stay in Lyon because you’ll be within easy walking distance of nearly everything, from the Old Town to the Fourviere hilltop. You’ll also have easy public transportation connections by tram, subway and even intercity train (all of the local transportation can be included in your Lyon Card).
A few hotels in Presqui’ile to consider include:
- Hotel Alexandra – This is where I stayed. My room overlooked the pretty Place Ampere (featuring a statue of André-Marie Ampere, the scientist who was born in Lyon) and was spacious and comfortable. The homemade breakfast every morning was definitely worth it, with delicious sweet and savory options that changed each day.
- Hotel de l’Abbaye – I walked past this upscale hotel in Lyon each day on my way to and from Hotel Alexandria, and it looked lovely. Although the historic hotel is located inside the former presbytery of the Saint-Martin d’Ainay Basilica, which dates back to the 11th century, the rooms here are modern and comfortable.
- Hotel Vaubecour – This is a cute little family-run hotel (only fifteen rooms!) in the perfect location just a block from the promenade along the shore of the Saone.
- Hotel des Celestins – Late sleepers rejoice – the buffet breakfast at this independent three-star hotel is open daily until noon! They have several different room categories (including some with views over the rooftops of Lyon) and parking spots are available for guests (reserve in advance through the property).
- Intercontinental Lyon – Originally an eighteenth-century hospital building, today the Intercontinental Lyon is one of the grandest buildings on the banks of the Rhone River. Today this five-star hotel is a hot spot for locals and visitors alike, thanks to its rooftop bar, boutique shops, restaurants and sunny terraces.
🛥️ Don’t leave Lyon without doing one of the river cruises that departs from Quai des Celestins in Presqu’ile! 🛥️
Vieux Lyon: Historic Lyon
If you really want to feel like you’re stepping back in time each time you step out of your Lyon hotel, then Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) is the best place to stay in Lyon for your trip! This district is located across the Saone river from Presqu’ile, on the west side of the city. Vieux Lyon is one of the most extensive and best-preserved Renaissance town centers in France.
Vieux Lyon is where you’ll find the city’s famous traboules (secret covered passages used to transport luxury fabrics without exposing them to the elements), along with several important churches and museums. Some hotels to check out in Vieux Lyon include:
- Cour des Loges Lyon – The first Radisson Collection hotel in France, this five-star hotel recently reopened after a major renovation. Parts of the complex date back to the 1300s, but the rooms have been modernized with high-end finishings and the facilities have been upgraded to include an underground pool, spa and two chef-led restaurants. Surprisingly, all this luxury comes at a very reasonable price if you book in advance.
- College Hotel – At the north end of Vieux Lyon, College Hotel is located in a funky art nouveau building with a eye-catching facade inspired by the two nearby schools (I won’t spoil it for you – click through to see!). Don’t miss the breakfast buffet, with local and organic ingredients to sample.
- MiHotel Vieux Lyon – Just across the river from Place Bellecour, MiHotel is ideal for longer stays, as each room features a kitchenette with a fridge, microwave and coffee maker. Note that there is no onsite reception here; check-in and concierge services are handled virtually.
La Confluence: New Lyon
At the far southern tip of Presqu’ile, La Confluence is named for the point where the Rhone and Saone rivers converge. This area has seen dramatic growth and modernization over the past decade, and is now a landmark of contemporary Lyon.
In La Confluence you’ll find contemporary architecture, a large shopping center, riverfront walking and cycling trails, and the Musée des Confluences, a major natural and human history museum that is great for kids. There are also good road connections and parking in this part of Lyon, so it’s a good option if you’re arriving by car.
Some hotels you might want to look at in La Confluence include:
- MOB Hotel La Confluence – This is where the cool kids stay when they visit Lyon. Expect rooftop parties, pop-up boutiques and organic brunch buffets on the weekend in this futuristic-looking hotel.
- Novotel Lyon Confluence – I’m obsessed with the terrace at this hotel that looks out over the river and the forested hills across the water. There’s a vaporetto stop right in front of the hotel for easy (and scenic!) connections into the historic center.
- ibis Lyon Gerland Musée des Confluences – Technically this one is just across the river from the La Confluence district, but it’s only a five-minute walk across one of two bridges to get there, and the prices are great.
Hotels Outside Lyon
Staying right in the center is my preference, but I know that lots of travelers prefer to stay outside the city center in in the quiet suburbs and countryside around Lyon. I haven’t personally been to any of these properties, but if I was coming back to Lyon with a vehicle and looking for a more relaxed stay in the region, I would look into these highly-rated hotels:
- Maison Lacassagne Hotel– Located in the former home of one of Lyon’s most prominent nineteenth-century doctors, this hotel offers pet-friendly rooms, an accessible room and a beautiful breakfast buffet each morning. A tram stop is only two minutes away so you can easily get into the city center.
- Domaine du Gouverneur, Hôtel, Restaurant & Golf – Thirty minutes outside the centre of Lyon, where a medieval castle once stood, this hotel complex is home to a popular French restaurant and three golf courses set in the rolling countryside.
- Le Talluy – Located in a historic 18th-century building twenty minutes southwest of Lyon, Le Talluy has a petanque court and outdoor play area, perfect for families. The restaurant also features a children’s menu (ideal for kids who aren’t interested in Lyon’s famous haute cuisine).
I’m so excited that you’re planning to visit Lyon! Don’t miss my guide to the best things to do in Lyon (perfect for one or two full days) along with all of my France travel guides.
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