Rent a car in Lyon with Europcar
The third largest town in France, Lyon is located in the east of the country, north of
Montpellier. While it is famed for its dynamic nightlife and an impressive museum and food culture, it is often neglected in favour of other French towns. But there are many reasons why, with Europcar, you should plan a trip to Lyon as soon as you can.
Situated where the River Rhône meets the River Saône, the city itself is large, with several different areas worth seeing. Explore Lyon and its surrounding towns in comfort and ease with a Europcar hire car.
The Europcar car rental experience in Lyon
There are 10 Europcar stations in Lyon, located across the city and at major transport links. Choosing
St Exupery Airport station means you can pick up your car hire directly upon your arrival and travel into Lyon or onwards from there. The main
train station is also a popular pick-up point.
Our Europcar fleet offers popular car hire options such as the Peugeot 308 or the larger Volkswagen Tiguan. Looking for van hire? A large range of vans are available with Europcar Lyon, whether you are moving house or need to transport heavy loads.
Both car and van hire are available for short and long durations, offering you the flexibility to personalise your trip.
Driving in Lyon
In order to rent a car in France with Europcar, you will need a valid EU driver’s licence.
In France, the national speed limits are 130 km/h on motorways, 110 km/h on dual carriageways, 90 km/h on other road types, and 50 km/h in built up areas.
When driving in wet weather conditions, motorway speed limits are reduced by 10 km/h. If your visibility is less than 50 metres in front of you, the speed limit is 50 km/h on all road types.
There are three types of parking zone in Lyon - short stay (up to 1 1/2 hours), medium stay (up to 3 hours) and overnight stay (up to 14 hours). Most short stay parking areas offer 15 minutes free parking before charges apply. During the month of August, the medium stay zones are free. On Sundays and bank holidays all parking is free.
Discover Lyon and the surrounding area by car
Mastering the balance between hip and culture, Lyon is a multi-faceted city. The Musée des Beaux Arts has a fine collection of paintings to rival those of Paris, featuring Monet, Matisse and Picasso; while the new Musée des Confluences (in the cool neighbourhood of the same name) is dedicated to natural history and anthropology. Dine on classic dishes at typical Lyonnais bouchons in the Old Town, dance till you drop at live music venues, or enjoy some culture at the Jean Nouvel-refurbished opera house.
Renting a car in Lyon makes it easy to discover great days out in and around the city. Voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez is 50 minutes by car from Lyon; based in the Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat, it is a sight to behold. Around 40 minutes away is the unassuming town of Vienne, home to some well-preserved Gallo-Roman ruins.
Just 15 minutes away by car, the Grand Parc Miribel Jonage is a great day out for all the family. A 2,200-hectare urban park, this is a popular escape for the residents of Lyon on a summer day. Think of an activity, and the odds are you can do it at Grand Parc Miribel Jonage: rollerblading, cycling, golf, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing to name just a few. Children are well catered for with shaded play areas, as well as golf and sailing lessons. Adventure is guaranteed.
There are plenty of diverse regions of France nearby if you fancy travelling further afield. Head to the cosmopolitan city of
Geneva (149 kilometres away), the pretty town of Clermont-Ferrand to the east (164 kilometres away) and
Dijon to the north (233 kilometres away).
Things to see in Lyon
If you have visited all the first-rate museums, historic squares and attractions that Lyon has to offer, then head to the Parc de la Tête d'Or at the north of the city for something different. Inspired by English design, this botanical garden is one of the largest municipal gardens in France. Aside from the 15,000 species of flora and fauna, there is a lake for rowing, a small train that tours the park, miniature ponies for children to ride, a carousel and go-karting. In the evening there are a number of traditional restaurants to choose from, offering authentic dishes such as coq au vin, andouillette and sausages.
