A Weekend in Lyon
The Complete Guide to Choosing Your Aparthotel
Lyon is one of the best-covered cities in the Appart'City network, with 7 addresses spread across the centre, Part-Dieu and the outer districts. An aparthotel cuts down the food budget thanks to the kitchenette and gives more space than a standard room useful over two or three nights, in a city where a proper bouchon meal doesn't come cheap. Here's where each address is and what sets it apart.
Aparthotel or standard hotel: what changes for a weekend
The kitchenette means not paying for every meal out, which quickly lightens the budget for a weekend in Lyon. Space matters too: a studio or a one-bedroom apartment separates the sleeping area from the rest, more comfortable than a hotel room for a couple or a family.
The Green Key label covers all 7 Lyon addresses, end-of-stay cleaning is included at most of them, and signing up to the free loyalty programme unlocks a preferential rate from the first booking.
Appart'City aparthotels in Lyon
Which area to pick mostly comes down to the type of stay: close to Parc de la Tête d'Or, arriving by train at Part-Dieu, or looking for something quieter in Villeurbanne.
Appart'City Lyon Cité Internationale***
Next to Parc de la Tête d'Or and the Congress Centre, this three-star aparthotel has the best guest rating of the seven Lyon addresses. It suits a leisure weekend just as well as a business trip built around a trade show or a conference.
Appart'City Lyon Villeurbanne***
A few minutes' walk from the Cusset and Flachet metro stations on line A, this three-star aparthotel reaches Place Bellecour in 15 minutes, in a more residential setting than the city centre. It has no air conditioning, worth keeping in mind outside the cooler months.
Appart'City Lyon Gerland***
In the Gerland district, near Halle Tony Garnier, this three-star aparthotel with parking included works well for a weekend built around a concert or a sports event in this fast-changing part of the city.
Appart'City Lyon Part Dieu Villette**
Close to the Part-Dieu business district, this two-star aparthotel combines good value for money with a large volume of guest reviews over 1,000. Convenient for arrivals by TGV.
Appart'City Lyon Part Dieu Garibaldi**
Served by the Garibaldi metro station, this two-star aparthotel carries the Family Label and reaches Vieux-Lyon and Place Bellecour in 15 minutes. Its 118 studios, 5 of them wheelchair-accessible, make it one of the largest in the Lyon network.
Appart'City Lyon Vaise Saint-Cyr**
In the Vaise district, north-west of Lyon, this two-star aparthotel remains one of the most affordable options in the network a good compromise for a group or a large family looking to keep accommodation costs down.
What to do in Lyon over a weekend: a 48-hour itinerary
Over two days, it's best to alternate historic sightseeing with walks along the two rivers that run through the city.
Day 1 — Vieux-Lyon and Fourvière
● Morning in Vieux-Lyon, exploring the traboules and Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral
● Climb up to Notre-Dame de Fourvière basilica for a panoramic view over the city
● Lunch and a stroll through a traditional Lyon bouchon in the Saint-Jean district
Day 2 — Presqu'île and fresh air
● Morning at Place Bellecour and the Croix-Rousse district, birthplace of the silk weavers
● A break at Parc de la Tête d'Or, with its zoo and wide green spaces
● Optional culture stop: Musée des Confluences or Musée Lumière, depending on your mood
Practical tips for planning a weekend in Lyon
● Book several weeks ahead for early December, when the Fête des Lumières is the busiest period of the year
● Choose Cité Internationale or Part-Dieu for quick access to the centre, or Villeurbanne or Vaise for a quieter stay
● Compare the member rate with the public rate: signing up to the loyalty programme is free, with no commitment
● Book a table at a bouchon in advance the best ones fill up fast on weekends
FAQ Your questions about a weekend in Lyon in an aparthotel
Why choose an aparthotel over a standard hotel for a weekend in Lyon?
Mainly for the kitchenette, which means not eating out for every meal a real advantage in a food-focused city where the bill adds up fast and for the extra space, better laid out than a hotel room for a couple or a family.
Which area should I choose for a weekend in Lyon with Appart'City?
It depends on the trip: Cité Internationale suits nature-focused stays near Parc de la Tête d'Or, Part-Dieu suits train arrivals and business weekends, Villeurbanne suits a quiet stay 15 minutes from Bellecour, and Gerland suits concerts at Halle Tony Garnier.
Is an aparthotel suitable for a family weekend with children in Lyon?
Yes: Appart'City addresses offer apartments with a kitchenette to prepare children's meals, Part Dieu Garibaldi even carries the Family Label, and all 7 Lyon addresses accept pets.
How much does a weekend in an aparthotel cost in Lyon?
Rates vary by address and season, generally between €48 and €75 a night for a studio at Appart'City Lyon, with preferential rates for members who sign up free to the loyalty programme.
Do I need to book far in advance for a weekend in Lyon?
It's worth booking several weeks ahead for early December, when the Fête des Lumières draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and quickly fills up accommodation in the city centre.
How do I get around Lyon from an Appart'City aparthotel?
Most addresses are near a metro station: Garibaldi or Cusset/Flachet on line A reach Place Bellecour in around 15 minutes, and Part-Dieu station is within walking distance of several of them.