Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Lyon is the third-largest city in France, known for its rich history, diverse culture, and gastronomy. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 515,695 residents as of 2023. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average fixed broadband speed is around 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD; most banks such as BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and local ATMs widely available. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe to consume. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Orange, SFR, and Bouygues Telecom with various prepaid and postpaid options. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Revolut, N26, and traditional banks like Crédit Agricole. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options available on platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, and localized services like SeLoger. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely; contactless payments are common. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available via Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Slo living costs around €30 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Vieux Lyon, renowned for its historical architecture and dining options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | La Confluence, featuring modern apartments and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | La Cordée in Vieux Lyon offers a vibrant community and great amenities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café des Artisans - known for its ambiance and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Lyon Startups and Digital Nomad events on Meetup.com. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook group 'Expats in Lyon' for community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber operates throughout Lyon, providing reliable transportation. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Vélo'v for bike-sharing and Lime for electric scooters broadly available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Plage de Châtillon, about 1 hour away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Air France connects Lyon with major cities in Europe. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM, Lufthansa, and easyJet serve Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | A6 and A7 highways connect Lyon with Paris and Marseille. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Gare de la Part-Dieu is the main train station for domestic and international travel. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | TCL offers multiple options including day passes and monthly subscriptions. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains available to cities like Grenoble and Chambéry. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hôpital Edouard Herriot is one of the premier healthcare facilities in Lyon. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga in Lyon and La Maison du Yoga offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Keep Cool provide good options at affordable rates. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavoir Moderne offers self-service laundry facilities. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Deliveroo for efficient food deliveries. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Quenelle de brochet, a local delicacy. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Le Hérault offers a varied vegetarian menu. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Bernachon for exquisite pastries and chocolates. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse for fresh local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.fr services available for online purchases. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Deliveroo and Carrefour offer grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Rue Mercière, with numerous bars and restaurants. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie du Mont Salève is popular among locals. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Le Vin des Alpes offers a great selection of local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Lyon Street Food festival takes place quarterly. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Asian restaurants in la Guillotière neighborhood. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière offers stunning views. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Musée des Confluences explores science and anthropology. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Roman theaters of Fourvière are heritage sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Cathédrale Saint-Jean is a beautiful Gothic structure. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Fête des Lumières in December attracts visitors globally. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Vieux Lyon known for Renaissance architecture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Théâtre des Célestins hosts diverse performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Marché de la Croix-Rousse for local produce and crafts. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Check out Nuits Sonores festival for electronic music lovers. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Mur des Canuts is a celebrated street art mural. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | La Cuisine de Mon Grand Père offers local culinary experiences. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Musée d'Art Contemporain showcases modern art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palais de Justice exemplifies stunning architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Lyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site acknowledged for its historical significance. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Parc de la Tête d'Or offers a tranquil environment and a lake. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parc National du Pilat is about 30km from the city. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The banks of the Rhône offer picturesque paths for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at Fourvière provides an iconic panorama of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Parc de la Tête d'Or is home to various bird species. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in Parc de Gerland for casual gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Chronopost and La Poste offer extensive shipping options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Boulanger and Fnac located in various parts of the city. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various community centers have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | L'Ecole de Langues offers French classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Bibliothèques Municipales de Lyon provide quiet study environments. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Maison des Passages organizes cultural activities. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Lounge Lyon offers consoles and space to play. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Le Lyon Vert provides gaming and entertainment options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €4,200 per m² in areas like Croix-Rousse. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €3,500 per m² in suburbs like Villeurbanne. |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €228,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 25%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividends taxed at 30%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | France has a progressive tax system based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 45%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 20%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, France has strict regulations. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on property size and local rates. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Around 7% for property transactions. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Some tax benefits exist for freelancers and remote workers, but regulations are complex. |