Lyon Economic Development Agency - ADERLY - Quality of Life
Lyon provides its citizens an outstanding level of comfort, with reliable and convenient public transport, cleanliness, security, a low level of pollution, and many other assets. Lyon spends more money on sanitation than any other large French city: €65 per inhabitant, compared to €12 in Paris. Every effort is made to continuously improve the lifestyle and sense of well-being of Lyon’s citizens.
As the merging point of the Saone and Rhone rivers, Lyon has been a listed UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998. This former capital of Gaul bears witness to 2,000 years of history, whilst renowned contemporary architects, such as Renzo Piano, Jean Nouvel, and Santiago Calatrava are constantly enriching the architectural heritage of the city.
Housing
Save €15,400 in net spending power every year!
A family of 4 renting a 100-square-metre-apartment in a residential neighbourhood, whilst paying full-time childcare for one child and 15 hours of housecleaning per week, could save a net €15,400 per year by living in Lyon rather than in Paris. For a similar quality of life, the budget for living in Lyon works out as 30% lower than the budget for Paris.~
Source: Ernst & Young
Education
For information about schools and universities in Lyon, please click here.
Culture
Lyon and its surrounding areas offer a wide variety of cultural events of international standing.
Local venues, groups and events contribute to this dynamic arts scene, such as the Maison de la Danse (Dance Centre), the Opera House, the Lyon National Orchestra, the Institut Lumiere cinema museum, the Biennial Dance Festival, the Biennial Contemporary Arts Festival, the Fine Arts Museum, the Gallo-Roman Museum and others.
The city hosts numerous festivals throughout the year. The Festival of Lights illuminates the city every December. In the springtime, the Festival des Nuits Sonores (Musical Nights Festival) gets Lyon dancing to the sounds of the latest electronic music. In the summer, the Vienne Jazz Festival and the Nuits de Fourviere (Fourviere Nights) give a taster of the forthcoming summer holidays.
Recreational Activities
From Lyon you can reach resorts in the world’s largest ski area - the Alps - in just 1 hour 30 minutes by car. The Mediterranean TGV high-speed rail line allows you to reach Marseille and other sea towns in just 1 hour 40 minutes from downtown Lyon. Other ideal weekend getaway spots like the Provence, Ardèche, Drôme, Beaujolais, Burgundy, Jura and Dombes regions are all only an hour or two away by car.
As the capital of French gastronomy, Lyon offers a choice between the popular charm of its famous "bouchon" bistros, the refined elegance of its two-and-three-star gourmet restaurants, and the warm, lively atmosphere of its open-air markets.
Alternative Energy / Environmental Issues
For information about Alternative Energy/Environmental Issues in Lyon, please see the Renewable/Green Industries and Life Sciences sections here.
Other
Lyon boasts the most extensive public transport system in France outside of Paris.
