Lyon
Decide whether to visit or live in Lyon, then explore current conditions, local people, the map, and concise sourced context.
Check visit & living safetyUpdated Sunday, October 18, 2026 · sourced live layer and versioned editorial content
AI-assisted, evidence-constrained research · how this page is made
Would you visit or live in Lyon?
Choose your plan and circumstances. The result changes immediately using today's advisory, weather, air-quality, and sourced local signals.
Generally suitable with routine precautions
Updated information on European Entry-Exit System (EES) (‘Entry requirements’ page).
high source confidence · current planning signal, not a personal-safety guaranteeSee the evidence and calculation
- No high-severity wording detected in the supplied advisory
- Latest air-quality reading is not elevated
The score combines dated official-advisory wording, weather, air quality, sourced local context, and your selections. It does not predict crime or individual outcomes. Check local authorities and professional advice before a safety-critical decision.
Climate normals · 2016–2025
When to go: Lyon month by month
Judged purely on 2016–2025 weather records, the friendliest months in Lyon are typically May, June and September, with average daytime highs around 21–26°C. August is usually the warmest month (average high 29°C), January the coldest (average low 1°C), and October the wettest (about 98 mm). These are long-run averages, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sunshine (h/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.0 | 0.8 | 64 | 4.8 |
| February | 10.2 | 1.8 | 44 | 6.8 |
| March | 13.5 | 3.9 | 70 | 8.8 |
| April | 16.9 | 6.8 | 65 | 10.0 |
| May | 20.6 | 10.7 | 94 | 10.8 |
| June | 26.2 | 15.7 | 87 | 12.5 |
| July | 28.3 | 17.2 | 64 | 13.0 |
| August | 28.5 | 17.0 | 55 | 12.0 |
| September | 23.6 | 13.4 | 69 | 10.0 |
| October | 18.0 | 9.7 | 98 | 7.6 |
| November | 11.3 | 4.8 | 87 | 5.7 |
| December | 7.9 | 2.0 | 81 | 4.7 |
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People and places shaping Lyon
AI-assisted local research, regenerated with the dated live layer. Every requested module remains visible; facts appear only after a source check, and unavailable categories explain what is still being researched.
Research updated Friday, October 2, 2026Past and future events in Lyon
Upcoming
- 2028 IIHF World Championship
Wikidata records Lyon as the event location. 2028 edition of the IIHF World Championship (Top Division, Men).
Previously
No past event has been extracted for Lyon yet.
Sources checked (2)
Interactive geography
See Lyon in context
Keep the deeper context
Stable history, culture, districts, and practical reference remain in the main reading flow while the live layers above continue changing.
01 · OverviewLyon, in brief
Lyon is a major city in France situated at the confluence of the rivers Rhône and Saône. Positioned northwest of the French Alps, the municipality recorded a population of 519,127 in 2023 across a small municipal territory of 48 square kilometers.
The urban center functions as a prominent financial and industrial destination. Economically, Lyon operates as a major hub for banking, chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries. In addition, the municipality sustains a significant software sector with a specific focus on video games, alongside a growing local start-up environment that has developed in recent years.
Beyond its corporate landscape, the territory maintains global institutional significance. Lyon hosts the international headquarters of Interpol, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and Euronews. The local economy and educational infrastructure also support nearly 200,000 university students within the Metropolis of Lyon, reinforcing its standing as the second-largest student city in France.
Geographically and administratively, the municipality sits within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, acting as its prefecture. The broader Lyon metropolitan area accommodates a population of 2,338,789 as of 2023, representing the second largest metropolitan population in France. Furthermore, the Metropolis of Lyon functions as a directly elected metropolitan authority managing most urban issues for a population of 1,436,354.
The urban foundation rests upon historical economic strength, transitioning from a Renaissance economic hub and a historic center for the production and weaving of silk into a modern Beta city according to the Globalization and World Rankings Research Institute. Mercer's 2019 liveability rankings placed Lyon second in France and 40th globally. Academic institutions and higher education schools across the area draw the massive student population, while ongoing development prepares the center to be the hub of the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lyon
Essential geographic, demographic, currency, and travel context verified from primary records.
01 · Q&AWhere is Lyon located and what are its coordinates?
Lyon is situated in France at geographic coordinates 45.7491, 4.8479, with an elevation monitored in regional geographic surveys.
02 · Q&AWhat is the population and time zone of Lyon?
Lyon has a recorded population of approximately 520,774 and observes the Europe/Paris time zone.
03 · Q&AWhat languages and currency are used in Lyon?
Official and commonly spoken languages in Lyon include FR-FR, FRP, BR, CO, CA, EU, OC, with EUR used for local transactions.
04 · Q&AHow can I check live conditions and daily updates for Lyon?
Today's Atlas provides continuous tracking for Lyon, featuring real-time weather conditions, daylight cycles, local geographic signals, and verified daily briefs.