Student Accommodation in Lyon

Student accommodation in Lyon ranges from private rooms in shared apartments to self-contained studios and larger apartments. The right option depends on your budget, preferred level of privacy and how much space you need. Compare the main room types below to find the suitable student room in Lyon.

1. Studio Apartment

A studio is a self-contained unit that combines the sleeping and living area with a kitchenette and private bathroom. It is a good choice for students who value privacy and prefer to have their own cooking and bathroom facilities.

• Typical size: 17m² – 22m²
• Rent range: €550 – €750/month

2. One-Bedroom Apartment

A one-bedroom apartment offers more space than a studio, with a separate bedroom and living area. It suits students who want additional privacy and room to relax, as well as couples where dual occupancy is permitted.

• Typical Size: 30m² – 45m²
• Rent Range: €850 – €1,200/month.

3. Multi-Bedroom Apartment

Multi-bedroom apartments typically include two or more private bedrooms with shared living areas and kitchen facilities. They can be a practical option for friends who want to live together or students looking to share costs while having their own bedroom.

• Rent: Around €850–€2,150/month for the whole apartment, depending on the number of bedrooms, location and amenities. 

The cost of living in Lyon for students is about €950–€1,350 per month, covering accommodation, food, transport, utilities and leisure. Actual expenses vary significantly depending on housing choices, lifestyle and whether students benefit from housing allowances (APL). Students can reduce everyday expenses by using university services and student discounts. 

Below are the details about the cost of living in Lyon.

• Accommodation
• • Student Residences: €260 to 550/month
  • Shared Apartments: €400 to €700/month for early booking
  • Private Studios: €500 to €800/month
• Food: €200 to €350/month
• Utilities: €30 to €70/month
• Transportation: €25–€35/month(student TCL pass, under 26/28)
• Leisure activities: €80 to €150/month

Lyon is home to a wide range of major higher-education institutions, including public universities, Grandes Écoles and specialist schools. When comparing student accommodation, consider not only the distance to your university but also access to Lyon's metro and tram network. Areas such as Villeurbanne and La Doua are convenient for Lyon 1 and INSA students, while Gerland and Lyon 7 are practical choices for students attending ENS Lyon. Below are the top universities in Lyon. 

• Public universities:

1. Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1: Best known for science, technology, medicine, health and sports. Its major La Doua campus is located in Villeurbanne. 
2. Université Lumière Lyon 2: Offers a broad range of programs in humanities, social sciences, arts, languages, economics and law, with campuses in central Lyon and Bron. 
3. Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3: Particularly known for law, management, languages, humanities and international studies. Its Manufacture des Tabacs campus is well connected to central Lyon. 

• Private University:

1. UCLy (Catholic University of Lyon): A major private higher education institution offering programs in areas including law, business, humanities, languages, psychology and health sciences. 

• Grandes Écoles and Specialist Institutions:

1. ENS de Lyon: A leading institution for research and higher education in sciences and humanities, based in the Gerland area of Lyon 7.
2. INSA Lyon: One of France's major engineering schools, located on the La Doua campus in Villeurbanne.
3. emlyon business school: A well-known business school offering programs in management, entrepreneurship and related business disciplines.
4. Sciences Po Lyon: Specialises in political science, public affairs and international studies.

Lyon has an extensive public transport network operated by TCL, including metro, tram, bus and funicular services. When choosing student accommodation in Lyon, living near a metro or tram stop can make daily travel to university much easier, especially if your campus is outside the city centre. From 1 September 2026, students and young people aged 18–25 can get a TCL monthly pass for €26 for Zones 1 and 2, covering most central Lyon student areas.

• Metro

Lyon has four metro lines: A, B, C and D. They connect major student areas such as Villeurbanne, Part-Dieu, Guillotière, Gerland and Vieux Lyon. Metro Line B is particularly useful for travelling between Part-Dieu and Gerland, while Line D serves central areas including Guillotière and Vieux Lyon. All four metro lines run until 2:00 am on Friday and Saturday nights, making late-night travel more convenient for students.

• Tram

Lyon's tram network provides direct connections to several major university campuses. T1 serves the La Doua campus in Villeurbanne, making it convenient for Lyon 1 and INSA Lyon students. T2 connects central Lyon with the Lyon 2 campus in Bron. T6 now links Debourg and Gerland with La Doua, providing a useful connection between Lyon 7 and the university district in Villeurbanne.

• Bus and Night Services

TCL buses serve neighbourhoods and suburbs not directly covered by the metro or tram network, including university areas such as Bron and Écully. For late-night journeys, Pleine Lune buses operate during the academic year on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, connecting central Lyon with major student districts after regular services finish.

• Cycling and Rail

Students can also use the Vélo'v bike-sharing system for short trips around the city, while Navigône river shuttles provide an additional transport option along parts of the Saône. For longer journeys, Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache are the city's main railway stations, offering regional and high-speed connections across France such as Paris, Marseille, Grenoble, as well as neighbouring countries.

Lyon offers a lively student environment with a wide range of social, cultural and leisure activities throughout the year. The city ranked second in France in the QS Best Student Cities 2026, reflecting its strong appeal for students in areas such as affordability, diversity and overall study experience.

• Student Associations and Social Activities

The Maison des Étudiants de la Métropole de Lyon (MDE) is one of the main hubs for student life in the city, hosting around 60 student associations. Students can take part in workshops, language activities, debates, concerts, cultural events and other social programmes. Living in Lyon student housing with convenient access to the city centre or university campuses can also make it easier to attend activities and meet other students. 

• Culture and Entertainment

Students can access a wide range of museums, cinemas, theatres and cultural venues across Lyon. The Culture Campus programme offers students three performance tickets and one cinema ticket for €18, with access to more than 70 participating cultural venues. Students aged 18–25 can also get the Lyon Culture Card for €10 per year, which includes unlimited access to Lyon's municipal museums and libraries, as well as discounts on selected cinemas, concerts and performances.

• Food and Local Culture

Lyon is well known for its food culture, with traditional bouchons, local markets, bakeries and a wide range of international restaurants. Students can explore areas such as Presqu'île, Guillotière and Croix-Rousse for dining, cafés and socialising, while major events such as the Fête des Lumières add to the city's cultural calendar.

Lyon's main tourist attractions are closely concentrated in its historic core, offering a mix of Roman heritage and Renaissance architecture. Most of the city's top sights lie in Vieux Lyon, on Fourvière Hill and across the Presqu'île, making them easy to explore on foot or by short public-transport rides. Students living in central Lyon apartments near these districts can conveniently enjoy cultural highlights between classes and daily life. Below are the key attractions in Lyon:

• Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière
• Théâtre Antique de Fourvière
• Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste
• Traboules
• Bouchons Lyonnais
• Rue de la République
• Opéra de Lyon
• Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
• Quai Saint-Antoine