Car Hire Lyon - Airport, France

As soon as you book your low-cost car hire with ArgusRentals.com you can be absolutely certain that you are receiving the most affordable rates for car hire in Lyon. Argus Rentals researches and compares the rates of 550 well-known and private Lyon car hire providers so that you can pick up the cheapest car rental Lyon offers whenever you visit.

We pride ourselves on providing value for money car rental deals without compromising on customer support levels. Car hire Lyon rates contain absolutely no invisible charges or undisclosed charges. For your reassurance, you can expect 24/7 customer service via webchat, email and our call centre.

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First time visiting Lyon? We want you to get the most out of your rental car Lyon experience. For that reason, we've enlisted the assistance of a local travel expert to help get you on your way. Follow these useful travel tips and enjoy the best that Lyon has to offer.

See: It’s hard to miss Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the cathedral on the hill. Just above Vieux Lyon, the basilica dates back to the late 1800′s and offers a stunning view over the city of Lyon. The cathedral itself is gorgeous, even if you suffer a bit of church fatigue after spending time touring Europe. To head up the hill, there’s a handy funiculaire.

Next to Notre-Dame de Fourvière, you can find the oldest Roman ruins in Europe. The two semicircular theatres held gladiatorial contests for up to 10,000 people, starting in 15 B.C. They’re remarkably well-preserved and fun to explore. If you’re interested in learning more, don’t miss the neighboring Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon.

Throughout the city, you can find enormous trompe-l’œil murals: wall murals utilizing optical illusions. My personal favorite was la fresque des Lyonnais, one that depicts the most famous people of Lyon, such as the Lumière brothers (who invented modern cinema). If you’re interested in learning more about the history of film, head to the Musée Lumière.

Videos of Lyon

Shop: The Rue de la Republique is the main shopping street in Lyon: located in the centre-ville, it’s lined with Haussman-style buildings. Luxury shops, prêt-a-porter clothing stories and department stores like Galeries Lafayette can all be found here. 

The Centre Commercial La Part-Dieu, located next to the Part-Dieu train station, is Lyon’s largest indoor shopping centre. The tall tower houses most of France’s chain clothing stores, casual fast-food restaurants and an enormous cinema.

More than 100 stallholders take part in the Croix Rousse Marché, selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, fish, bread, wines and flowers: pretty much everything an aspiring French chef could ask for! Open from 6am to 1pm every day but Monday. La Halle de Lyon is also a sprawling food market that’s been operating since 1850. 

Eat: Found throughout the city, the bouchon serves typical Lyonnaise fare: basically, a whole lot of meat! Instead of the haute cuisine focus on unlikely combinations and exquisite presentation, bouchons emphasize quality home-cooking, a convivial atmosphere and a personal relationship with the owner. La Mère Jean has excellent food and friendly service—don’t miss la salade lyonnaise!

As the home of Paul Bocuse and some of the other most celebrated French chefs, Lyon is famously known as the capital of French gastronomy. Its proximity to two of France’s best-known wine growing regions–the Beaujolais to the North and the Côtes du Rhône to the South–certainly doesn’t hurt either. While haute cuisine can get pricey, many of the most popular restaurants offer excellent prix-fixe lunch menus.

Rue Merciere is an entire street dedicated to restaurants: sometimes really packed, sometimes bad food preying on tourists, sometimes divine food. Right off the main thoroughfare, L’Epicerie is a quaint and kitschy café that offers up excellent tartines, crepes and desserts—an excellent option for vegetarians or those on budget.

Drink: For an English-friendly vibe, head to St. James or Kelly’s in Vieux-Lyon for a proper pint and a vibrant expat crowd.

Stay: While Lyon’s excellent public transportation makes it easy to get around the city quickly and cheaply, best to stay in the Presqu'île  or Vieux Lyon neighborhood for the quintessential Lyon experience.Try Hotel du Simplon or Hotel des Artistes for lovely rooms, a central location and friendly service that won’t break the bank. For equal doses of luxury and history, splurge on a room at Cour des Loges. For the backpacker on a budget, Hotel de la Marne is clean, convenient and cheap.

Photos of Lyon

Walk: In the neighborhoods of Vieux Lyon and Croix-Rousse, there are a number of narrow passageways that pass through buildings and link streets on either side. These traboules were originally used by silk manufacturers and other merchants to transfer their goods. They’re symbolized by a thick orange line on the city map–don’t be afraid to poke your head into courtyards to spot them.

A walk or bicycle ride along the Rhône river is a beautiful way to see the city. Stay on the opposite side of Fourvière for an amazing view, particularly at night.

Get Out: Parc de la Tête d'Or is France’s largest urban park, a green oasis in the industrial city of Lyon. Landscaped in the 1860s, it features a lake, botanic garden with greenhouses, rose garden andzoo. In the summer, hire boats, ride ponies, go on a carnival ride or watch a puppet show.

Listen: Check out the best up-and-coming live music that Lyon has to offer in artsy bar Furib’Arts or retro wine bar Bistro Fait Sa Broc’. The city also comes alive for Fête de la Musique each year on June 21, with music acts of all genres spilling onto the streets.

Avoid: With so much good food for all budget levels, stay out of the chain restaurants that are beginning to flood Lyon’s city centre. Try a bouchon, a prix-fixe at a haute cuisine restaurant or a café instead.