Living in Lyon: the ultimate expat guide

Lyon's economy offers diverse opportunities for international professionals. The city serves as France's second-largest employment hub in life sciences, with nearly 100,000 jobs in the healthcare sector regionally. Beyond pharmaceuticals and biotech, Lyon has developed significant software and video game industries, alongside traditional strengths in banking, chemicals, and textiles. The startup ecosystem continues to grow, supported by incubators and the French Tech initiative.

Key Industries and Major Employers

The life sciences sector dominates Lyon's economy, anchored by Sanofi Pasteur (world's largest vaccine company), bioMérieux (global leader in diagnostics), and over 300 medical technology companies. The Lyonbiopôle cluster coordinates biotechnology research and business development. Other major employers include Renault Trucks, Arkema (chemicals), GL Events, and numerous tech companies. The Part-Dieu business district hosts many corporate headquarters and financial institutions.

Work Permits and Employment Requirements

EU/EEA citizens can work freely in France without permits. Non-EU nationals typically require a long-stay visa (VLS-TS) and work authorization, which employers must obtain through the French labor authorities (DREETS). The Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) offers streamlined access for highly skilled workers, researchers, and entrepreneurs without labor market testing. The EU Blue Card is available for professionals with higher education and an annual salary above €53,836. Processing typically takes 2-3 months.

The following table summarizes key employment indicators for Lyon:

Sources: INSEE, Numbeo

Lyon ranks as France's second-largest student city, hosting nearly 200,000 students including 15,000 international students. The city offers a comprehensive range of public universities, prestigious grandes écoles, and specialized institutions. Many programs are available in English, particularly at the graduate level, and tuition fees at public universities remain highly accessible for international students.

Major Universities and Institutions

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 specializes in science, technology, and health sciences. Université Lumière Lyon 2 focuses on humanities and social sciences, while Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 offers career-oriented programs in law, business, and languages. The prestigious École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS Lyon) ranks among France's top research institutions. For business education, emlyon business school holds triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA). Engineering students attend INSA Lyon or École Centrale de Lyon.

Tuition Fees and Admission

Public university tuition for 2024-2025 is approximately €170/year for bachelor's programs and €243/year for master's programs (EU students). Non-EU students may face differentiated fees of €2,770 (bachelor's) or €3,770 (master's), though many universities offer partial exemptions. The CVEC student contribution of €103 applies to all students. Grande école programs vary widely, with emlyon costing approximately €20,000-25,000/year. Applications for public universities go through Campus France and typically require French language proficiency (B2 level) or English test scores for international programs.

Sources: Université Lyon 3, ENS Lyon

Lyon offers several international schooling options for expat families, from preschool through secondary education. The city hosts six international schools providing English-medium or bilingual curricula, alongside the French public school system. Most international schools follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) or British curricula, preparing students for global university admission.

International Schools

The International School of Lyon (ISL), founded in 2004, offers the only full English-medium curriculum in Lyon, serving students aged 3-18 from over 45 nationalities. Located in Sainte-Foy-lès-Lyon, ISL provides IB and British programs with annual fees ranging from €7,744 to €17,671 depending on grade level (2025-2026). Ombrosa International School, established in 1971, offers multilingual education (French, English, German) with IB and French curricula for ages 3-18. New School Lyon provides bilingual French-English education for younger children (ages 2-11) in the 8th arrondissement, with fees around €5,980/year.

French Public and Bilingual Options

The Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon in Gerland offers French public education with seven international sections (English, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese). Admission is competitive and based on language proficiency tests. French public schools (écoles maternelles, élémentaires, collèges, lycées) are free and offer quality education, though instruction is in French. Many areas offer bilingual streams or international options within the public system. School enrollment typically requires proof of residence and vaccination records.

Sources: International School of Lyon, International Schools Database

Lyon's housing market remains competitive but more accessible than Paris. The city is divided into nine arrondissements, each with distinct character, plus the adjacent commune of Villeurbanne which functions as part of the urban area. Rental applications typically require extensive documentation including proof of income (often 3x rent), employment contracts, and sometimes a French guarantor (garant).

Popular Neighborhoods for Expats

The Presqu'île (1st and 2nd arrondissements) offers central living with shops, restaurants, and nightlife; expect €1,300-1,800/month for a two-bedroom apartment. The 6th arrondissement near Parc de la Tête d'Or attracts families seeking upscale, residential settings with excellent schools (€1,500-2,000/month). Croix-Rousse (4th arrondissement) provides bohemian charm with markets and panoramic views. The Confluence district offers modern architecture and eco-friendly development (€1,300-1,700/month). Villeurbanne provides affordable options with excellent metro connections, popular among students and young professionals (€900-1,200/month).

Rental Costs and Process

The following table shows average monthly rents in Lyon:

Popular rental platforms include SeLoger, Le Bon Coin, PAP.fr, and the app Jinka. Students may qualify for CAF housing assistance (Aide Personnalisée au Logement), which can reduce rent by €100-300/month depending on circumstances.

Sources: Numbeo

Lyon offers an exceptional cultural landscape, from world-class museums to vibrant nightlife and outdoor recreation. The city's UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town (Vieux Lyon) features Renaissance architecture and secret passageways called traboules. Throughout the year, festivals, exhibitions, and events animate the city, with the spectacular Fête des Lumières in December drawing over 2 million visitors.

Museums and Cultural Attractions

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, housed in a 17th-century Benedictine convent, ranks among France's largest art museums with collections spanning Egyptian antiquities to Impressionist masterpieces by Monet and Van Gogh. The Musée des Confluences, a striking modern building at the rivers' junction, combines natural history, anthropology, and science exhibitions. The Musée Lumière celebrates Lyon as the birthplace of cinema, located in the Lumière brothers' family home. Other highlights include the Gallo-Roman Museum on Fourvière Hill, the Musée des Tissus (textiles), and the quirky Musée Miniature et Cinéma in Vieux Lyon. The Lyon City Card (from €29/day) provides free museum entry and public transport.

Parks, Events and Nightlife

The Parc de la Tête d'Or, one of Europe's largest urban parks (117 hectares), features a free zoo, botanical gardens, rose garden, and lake for boating. For nightlife, the Presqu'île offers bars along Rue Mercière and clubs near the riverbanks, while Vieux Lyon hosts lively pubs. The annual Fête des Lumières (December 5-8, 2025) transforms the city with spectacular light installations on historic buildings. Other major events include the Nuits de Fourvière summer arts festival, Les Nuits Sonores electronic music festival, and numerous food festivals celebrating Lyon's gastronomic heritage. The nearby Alps offer skiing within 90 minutes by car.

Sources: Lyon Tourism Office, Musée des Beaux-Arts

Lyon offers an exceptional quality of life, combining urban convenience with accessible nature. The city is highly walkable, particularly in the historic center, and boasts one of France's best public transport networks. Daily life revolves around the city's renowned food culture, outdoor spaces, and strong sense of community. Most residents find Lyon more relaxed than Paris while still enjoying comprehensive urban amenities.

Public Transportation

The TCL network (Transports en Commun Lyonnais) covers the entire metropolitan area with 4 metro lines, 7 tram lines, 2 funiculars, and over 100 bus routes. A single ticket costs €2.10 and is valid for one hour across all transport modes. The monthly pass is €72.60 for unlimited travel in the central zone (€65 for under-26s with Campus subscription). The Vélo'v bike-sharing system provides 5,000+ bikes at 428 stations throughout the city, with first 30 minutes free. The Rhônexpress tram connects Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport to Part-Dieu station in 30 minutes (€17.10 one-way).

Lifestyle and Local Customs

Lyon maintains strong food traditions—the bouchon lyonnais serves hearty local cuisine including quenelles, andouillette, and praline tart. The Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse market showcases the region's finest produce. Shops typically close for lunch (12:00-14:00) and on Sunday afternoons. The weekly markets throughout neighborhoods provide fresh produce and social connection. Lyonnais are known for being friendly yet reserved initially; learning basic French significantly improves daily interactions. The city empties somewhat in August when many residents take summer holidays.

Sources: TCL, Lyon Tourism

Lyon offers significantly lower living costs compared to Paris while maintaining excellent urban amenities. The city ranks 75th in Mercer's global cost of living survey (2024), making it more affordable than many major European cities. Daily expenses including groceries, dining, and transport remain reasonable, though rent represents the largest expense for most residents.

Monthly Budget for a Single Person

The following table estimates monthly expenses for a single professional:

Monthly Budget for a Family of Four

Sources: Numbeo (2025), TCL