Lyon, France
What 90% of solo women don't know about staying safe in Lyon.
Lyon's bohemian district with art studios, vintage shops, and cafes where working alone is normal. Feels like a real neighborhood with a village vibe. You'll need to handle hills and basic French helps since less English is spoken here. Safe, walkable streets.
Croix-Rousse sits on a hill 254 meters up, split between the slopes (les pentes, 1st arrondissement) and the plateau (le plateau, 4th arrondissement). Used to be the silk-weaving district, now it's where you find artists' studios, vintage shops, organic restaurants, and cafes with a student/alternative vibe. Montée de la Grande-Côte is a climb but there are independent shops and it feels more local than tourist-focused. Place de la Croix-Rousse has one of the bigger markets, busy on weekends with local producers and regional stuff. The square has cafe terraces and events. Passage Mermet is covered in street art and graffiti - looks good for photos. Eating alone is normal at the casual cafes and organic places, people work on laptops and read books by themselves all the time. You'll see families, longtime residents, younger creative types. The slopes stay active with decent lighting and foot traffic, but you need to be okay with hills. Less English spoken than tourist areas. Safe, walkable, feels like an actual neighborhood compared to the polished Presqu'île or tourist-packed Vieux Lyon.
Daytime Safety
ExcellentNight Walking Safety
GoodHarassment Risk
LowPublic Transport Safety
GoodPickpocketing Risk
LowScam Risk
LowPolice Visibility
GoodEmergency Services
GoodEvening Venues
GoodSolo Dining
ExcellentDrug Activity
LowHomelessness Visibility
LowGetting By in English
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"Liked the vibe - felt more like actual Lyon than the tourist areas"
"Saw lots of women working alone in cafes, comfortable atmosphere"
"The hill climb is worth it for the views and neighborhood feel"
"Not much English but people were patient"
"Fine for evening walks, streets are well-lit and there are people around"
Areas with comparable safety profiles for solo female travelers
Modern development at the rivers' confluence. Contemporary architecture, sustainable buildings, riverside dining. Safe, family-oriented, some nightlife. Lacks the historic character of older Lyon neighborhoods - planned and new rather than organic and old. Good if you're into contemporary urban design.
Lyon's main shopping and business district. Safe, well-lit, active day and night. Lots of dining options, bars, clubs. More expensive and less local-feeling than other areas, but convenient and easy to navigate. English is commonly understood.
Renaissance architecture, traditional bouchons, lots of tourists. Safe during the day with families everywhere, but pickpockets work the crowds. Good for seeing the old town and trying Lyonnaise food, though you won't get much sense of what Lyon is actually like now.
Help other women stay safe in Croix-Rousse
Neighborhood conditions can change. Check recent news, ask locals or your accommodation about current safety, especially for nighttime plans.