Life in Lyon
Hello there, young explorer! If you’re reading this scroll, take heed: it holds all the secrets to a dense jungle teeming with mysteries—Lyon. But be careful—you might end up getting lost there…
Around the Campus
› Refueling
To stock up on supplies before a mission, you’ll find what you’re looking for at either aCarrefouror anIntermarché, both about a ten-minute walk from INSA. However, if you skipped that step, you’ll find plenty of spots nestled among the vines and ferns where you can recharge (burgers, bakeries, tacos, pizzas…), with your seniors’ favorites being Chamas (to try Lyon-style tacos!), Ta5ty (for €5 pizzas), and the must-visit Tasty Crousty.
- Le Chamas — try Lyon's tacos!
- Le Ta5ty — for €5 pizzas
- Tasty Crousty — a must-try
› Green Spaces
To put your machete training into practice, two parks near the campus offer the perfect setting. First up is Parc de la Feyssine, a favorite among INSA PE teachers, located less than 10 minutes from the Apprentice Explorers’ Residences. It also features pull-up bars, expansive grassy areas, and borders the Rhône, one of Lyon’s two major rivers. There’s also Parc de la Tête d’Or, whose name comes from an old legend about a real solid gold head hidden in the park. Maybe you’ll solve the mystery of its location—who knows… Anyway, this park is full of open spaces, flowers, and animals (free zoo).
Feyssine Park
A favorite spot among PE teachers, less than 10 minutes from the Residences. It features pull-up bars, expansive grassy areas, and is located along the Rhône River.
Tête d’Or Park
Its name comes from a legend about a solid gold head hidden in the park. Open spaces, flowers, and a free zoo!
› Sports & Outings
If you want to stay in shape for your future assignments, there are several gyms on and near campus, including a climbing gym (MRoc). Finally, near campus you’ll find theTransbordeur, a concert venue.
The Move
The campus is actually located inVilleurbanne, a town very close to Lyon with excellent public transportation: you can get anywhere by canoe (or by tram, if you prefer). The T1 tram line runs right through the campus and will take you to Charpennes in 10 minutes, then to Part-Dieu in 25 minutes. At Charpennes, you’ll find connections to the metro, which will be very useful for exploring Lyon, and at Part-Dieu, you’ll find the train station (among other things). For our explorers who prefer outdoor modes of transportation, the city is full of Vélo’V stations, which offer self-service bikes starting at €15 per year. The city of Lyon also lends out bikes for free: the FreeVélo’V*.
Runs across the entire campus
Campus → Charpennes (10 min)
Campus → Part-Dieu (25 min)
Transfers in Charpennes to explore all of Lyon
Bike-sharing starting at €15/year. Plus: FreeVélo’V rides at no cost!
*Please note: these are city bikes, not mountain bikes for exploring the rainforest.
Must-See Attractions in Lyon
Now that we’ve covered all that, let’s get down to business: what to do in Lyon! So grab a compass and a map!!
La Part-Dieu
EastIf you stay on the T1 line past Charpennes, you’ll arrive at Part-Dieu Station, located in the eastern part of Lyon. Across from the station, you’ll find the one and only Part-Dieu Shopping Center, an old-fashioned mall where you can find just about anything you can imagine: movie theaters, restaurants, shops, arcades…
Confluences
SouthAt the end of Line 1, you’ll arrive at Confluences, which gets its name from the confluence of the Rhône and the Saône rivers (watch out for the current if you’re coming by canoe). Here, you’ll find another shopping center, one that’s more open to the outdoors, as well as a huge museum to feed the curiosity of budding explorers.
- Azar
- Sugar
- Tony Garnier Hall
The Peninsula
CenterIf you decide to get off the tram at Charpennes and take the metro, it will take you on a tour of the western part of the city. You’ll find the historic marshes in the heart of Lyon:the Presqu’île. Further north, you can relax on the terraces ofLes Terreaux(watch your wallet—these are the most expensive). You can visit theMuseum of Fine Arts or catch a show at the Opera. Heading south, you can stroll, shop, and enjoy a good meal as you walk downRue de la République.
- Espit Chupitos
- Barberousse / Boston
- The Loft
- The Splash
Near Place Bellecour, you’ll findFlam’s, where you’ll have the best nights out with your friends, your crew, and maybe even your crush! At the tip of the island, you’ll find the Musée des Confluences.
Old Lyon
WestIf you venture even further west, you’ll find yourself in the densest part of the jungle:Old Lyon. There, you can test your stamina by tackling the hills ofCroix Rousseand climbing up toFourvièreto admire the canopy. You can also wander the streets and take secret passageways (the famous Lyontraboules) in search of spots to hang out with your friends. In spring and summer, it’s one of the best places to be, with ice cream shops, museums (the Miniature and Cinema Museum, the Gallo-Roman Museum), and riverbanks.
- Artisanal ice cream
- Museum of Miniatures and Cinema
- Gallo-Roman Museum
- Riverbanks
Notable Events
To wrap things up, here’s a short list of Lyon’s most famous events: