Albert Thomas Residence, Lyon

Lyon offers a wide range of student accommodation options designed to meet different needs and budgets. Whether you prefer privacy or a social setup, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a quick guide to the most common room types:

1. Ensuites: Ensuite apartments in Lyon are perfect for students who want privacy with some shared living. At this site you get your bedroom and bathroom, while the kitchen and lounge areas are shared with flatmates. This is a good option for students who enjoy socialising but also value personal space.

2. Non-Ensuites: Non-ensuite rooms are more affordable and ideal for students who don’t mind sharing. You’ll have your bedroom, but share the bathroom, kitchen, and common spaces with others like in university residences. It’s a good way to save money and make new friends in your student residences.

3. Studio Apartments: Private Studio apartments in Lyon offer total privacy, as everything is included in one space: bedroom, living spaces, kitchen, and bathroom. These are great for students who want independence, quiet study time, and a self-contained lifestyle in their own apartment.

4. Private Apartments: These apartments come with private bedrooms and shared living areas like the kitchen and lounge. They work well for students who want to live with a friend but still have a private space.

5. Shared Apartments: Shared apartments site are popular among students who like living in a group. You get your bedroom, and the kitchen and other living spaces like bathroom, and lounge are shared with others, making it fun and social.

6. Private Rooms: These rooms offer a private bedroom while you share common areas like the kitchen and bathroom with flatmates. It’s a balance between privacy and community living, ideal for first-year students or those new to Lyon for student housing in Lyon.

The cost of living in Lyon can vary depending on the area you live in, your lifestyle, and your spending habits. The rental market in Lyon is competitive due to the influx of students from various regions and countries. The average budget for student housing in Lyon is around 620€, which is higher than in many other French cities. On average, you should expect to spend between €1,200 to €1,800 per month, depending on your choices for accommodation, food, entertainment, and how well-connected the apartment is. Here’s a breakdown of approximate monthly prices for a student living in Lyon:

1. Restaurants: €100-€250 for one month
2. Groceries: €120-€200 for one month
3. Transportation: €75-€100 for one month
4. Utilities: €100-€150 for one month
5. Clothing: €40-€100 for one month

In Lyon, getting around the city is easy, efficient, and well-suited to student life. The city has one of France’s best public transport systems outside Paris, making daily commutes between campuses, neighbourhoods, and social areas smooth and affordable. Students benefit from discounted travel passes and a network that covers the entire metropolitan area. Here’s an overview of the main transportation options available to students living in student accommodation in Lyon:

1. Metro, Tram & Bus (TCL): Lyon’s public transport is operated by TCL and includes 4 metro lines (A, B, C, D), multiple tram lines, and an extensive bus network. The metro is fast and reliable, connecting key student areas such as Presqu’île, Part-Dieu, Villeurbanne, and Gerland. A single ticket costs around €1.90–€2.00, while discounted student monthly passes offer unlimited travel across the network at reduced rates.
2. Trains (TER & TGV): Lyon is a major rail hub with stations like Part-Dieu and Perrache, offering regional TER and high-speed TGV connections. Students can easily travel to Paris (around 2 hours), as well as cities like Grenoble, Saint-Étienne, Lyon, and Geneva. Youth and student rail cards help reduce the cost of frequent travel for internships, weekends, or holidays.
3. Cycling (Vélo’v): Lyon is a bike-friendly city with dedicated cycling lanes and riverside routes along the Rhône and Saône. The Vélo’v bike-sharing system is popular among students, offering an affordable and eco-friendly way to commute, especially for short distances.
4. Walking: Many parts of Lyon, particularly Vieux Lyon, Presqu’île, and riverside areas, are highly walkable. Students living near the city centre or campus often choose to walk for daily errands and social activities.

Lyon offers a well-balanced student lifestyle that blends historic charm and a strong cultural scene. Lyon is the second largest university hub in France with over 155,000 students. Lyon is ranked as the best student city in France. The city is home to several renowned institutions such as INSA, Centrale, and EM Lyon. With a large student population, the city feels youthful, social, and intellectually alive, making it easy for students to feel connected. Students often spend time at cafés and social spots around Presqu’île, Vieux Lyon, and Croix-Rousse, where coffee shops, bakeries, bouchons (traditional eateries), and casual restaurants double as study spaces and hangout hubs.

The riverbanks along the Rhône and Saône are especially popular for walking, cycling, and meeting friends, offering relaxed outdoor spaces right in the city centre. For quieter moments, students enjoy spending time in Parc de la Tête d'Or, one of France’s largest urban parks, ideal for picnics, jogging, reading, or study breaks. Lyon is rich in culture and tourist attractions that students explore year-round.

Highlights include the Basilique de Fourvière, which offers panoramic views over the city, the historic traboules hidden throughout Vieux Lyon, and major cultural venues such as the Musée des Confluences. Food lovers enjoy Lyon’s reputation as France’s gastronomic capital, while events like the Fête des Lumières, concerts, exhibitions, and festivals keep the city lively throughout the year. With its mix of culture and student-friendly neighbourhoods, student accommodation in Lyon supports a lifestyle that is social, enriching, and deeply connected to one of France’s most dynamic cities.

Lyon is one of France’s leading academic and research hubs, attracting students with its world-class universities, specialised schools, and strong international outlook. With a dense higher-education ecosystem and close ties to industry, healthcare, and innovation, Lyon offers excellent opportunities for students across disciplines. Here are some of the top universities in Lyon recognised for their academic quality and student-focused environment:

1. Université de Lyon: Université de Lyon is a major higher-education and research consortium that brings together several of Lyon’s top universities and grandes écoles. It supports over 150,000 students across the metropolitan area and is known for its strong research output, interdisciplinary programs, engineering school, social sciences and international collaborations, making Lyon a global academic destination.
2. Emlyon Business School: EM Lyon Business School is one of France’s top business schools and part of the Grande École system. Renowned for its programs in management, entrepreneurship, finance, and innovation, EM Lyon has a strong global reputation, international accreditations, and excellent graduate employability.