Lyon, France

• Lyon sits where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. The food culture here is serious - two-hour lunches at traditional bouchons are standard, and you'll see plenty of people eating alone at cafes. English gets you by in tourist areas and nicer restaurants, but most places outside the center expect at least basic French.
• The TCL public transport network has 4 metro lines, 6 tram lines, and lots of buses. A single ticket costs €2 and works across all of them. In 2025 they merged the regional networks, so now the system covers 262 municipalities around Lyon. The historic center is walkable during the day, though you'll want to avoid some neighborhoods like La Guillotière after dark.
• Safety is decent overall. Tourist areas and wealthier neighborhoods have regular police presence and good lighting. The main issue is pickpocketing in crowded spots - Vieux Lyon and on public transport especially. Street harassment happens but seems less common than in other French cities based on what travelers report.
• The Presqu'île peninsula stays active late with shopping and bars. Croix-Rousse has the bohemian scene - artists, vintage shops, that sort of thing. Brotteaux near the big park is quiet and residential. Each neighborhood feels pretty different, which is why people say Lyon feels like several cities instead of one.

French is the main language. Tourist areas like Vieux Lyon and Presqu'île have English speakers, as do upscale hotels and restaurants. The emergency number 112 has operators who speak English. Younger people in cafes and shops often know basic English, but learning a few French phrases (bonjour, merci, s'il vous plaît, pardon) makes things easier.

• Cafe culture here means sitting alone with a book or laptop for hours is normal. Restaurants don't have an issue with solo diners - you'll see it at casual places and Michelin-starred spots alike. People take lunch seriously, two hours is typical.
• Dress style leans classic French - neutrals, not too trendy, decent shoes. Less formal than Paris but still more put-together than athleisure. You won't see many people walking around in shorts or workout clothes. Fine dining spots expect you to dress up a bit, but bouchons and cafes are casual.
• Say 'Bonjour' or 'Bonsoir' when you walk into shops and restaurants, 'Au revoir' when you leave. Outside tourist areas, most people don't speak much English, so basic French phrases help. Service is included in the bill, but if someone goes out of their way, 5-10% extra is appreciated.
• Lunch runs 12-2pm, dinner starts around 7pm at the earliest. Bouchons are the traditional spots for Lyonnaise food - communal vibe, hearty dishes. A lot of restaurants want reservations, and some won't seat you for dinner if you're dining alone because they have two-person minimums. It happens.

• TCL runs 4 metro lines, 6 tram lines, 2 funiculars, and over 100 bus routes. They merged with the regional networks in September 2025, so now it covers 262 municipalities across the department. €2 gets you a ticket that works on any of them.
• Get the TCL app for route planning and live updates. You need to validate your ticket every time - when you board buses and trams, at the entrance to metro and funicular stations. If you're using transit a lot, there are multi-journey tickets and day passes.
• There's a river shuttle called Navigône that started in 2025, going between Confluence and Vaise along the Saône. Nice option when the weather's good. You can walk around the historic areas easily enough, though Croix-Rousse is on a hill so that takes some effort. The center between the two rivers is pretty compact.
• Pickpockets work the busy transport, especially Part-Dieu station. Don't get in an empty metro car late at night. For getting to neighborhoods outside the center in the evening, taxis and ride apps are straightforward.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.
• For peace of mind on arrival, book your airport pickup in advance.

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