Lyon Arrondissements
 

Hello,
Firstly, thank you for reading my post.

I am staying in Lyon for 3 nights during August as part of a French Adventure. I am very excited to experience the food, wine, culture and sightseeing the town and region has to offer however I having trouble find descriptions on the arrondissements- unlike Paris, there is not much description available via websites, blogs or Lonely Planet of what the areas may offer tourists. Any advice on where to stay would be greatly appreciated.
In Paris I have picked St Germain Des Pres if this provides assistance in making a recommendation.

I am also picking a car up in Lyon, is it worth getting this at the start of our stay here or will it only prove to be a hassle?

Thanks so kindly for your information.

I don't believe that Lyon is divided into arrondissements. The areas that you will want to be in/see are the Vieux Ville (old town), Fourviere, and Presqu'ile. A car is not necessary to see these three areas. Rick Steves book has a good description to get you started.

"I don't believe that Lyon is divided into arrondissements."
It is, since 1852 ! There are 9 arrondissements in Lyon, mainly for administrative purposes.

Learn something new every day! I stand corrected.

All of the three largest cities in France use arrondisements, it's an administrative division (Paris, Lyon and Marseille).

It's like any city, if you are a first time tourist, you'll want to be in the center, check a map and see where the main central sites are (Hotel de Ville, Vieux Ville, etc.).

I think the major guidebooks have descriptions of the main sites in Lyon for tourists. If you can't find any, try the city's website, that is always a good idea http://www.en.lyon-france.com/

Here is info on Fodors
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/f.../things-to-do/

I think LP has a very good website on this http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/b...the-rhone/lyon

IF you are interested in an apartment - we are staying here for a week in October:

http://www.urbansejour.com/apparteme...on-saisonniere

Lyon has excellent public transportation. Absolutely no need for a car for getting around. A "Liberté 1 Jour" ticket for €5,50 gives you a full day's unlimited travel on the entire network - metro, bus, tram and funiculars.

http://www.tcl.fr/en
http://plan-interactif.tcl.fr/

We stayed near Place Bellecour and found that location very conveniently located for getting around to all the sights.

I second MaineGG by saying that a car is absolutely not necessary and would actually be more of a hindrance in Lyon. As well as trying to find a parking space, on-street parking is no longer free during the month of August as it used to be.

One downside of this would mean missing out possibly the most beautiful car park in Europe (yes I know I'm weird) the Parc des Celestins; http://www.panoramio.com/photo/18716070

As a quick ready reckoner, arrondissements 1 and 2 broadly comprise the centre of Lyon and if you stayed in either of these, most of the major sights / attractions would be walkable or necessitate only a short journey by public transport.

Arrondissement 3 is more residential and business focussed, but with its own attractions; Chateau Lumiere, and free outdoor screenings of classic films during August.

Arr. 4 is mainly referred to as Croix Rousse where most of the silk workers used to live and naturally the location of lots of traboules (and a smaller, more ruined amphitheatre than the more well-known Fourviere example. It's also arguably the hippest area of Lyon with lots of artists and creative types.

Arr. 5 is mainly Vieux Lyon and I could certainly think of worse places to stay than an entire area that has world heritage status.

Arr. 6 is the Lyonnais equivalent of Paris' 16th and where lots of Lyon's wealthier citizens live, work and play (some very good restaurants and awful clubs can be found here).

Any arrondissement with a number higher than that wouldn't really be worth staying in for a short visit.

As your visit is so short, I'd recommend basing yourself in 1, 2 or 5 and walking or using public transport to get around. Enjoy your trip!

Thank you all so much for your replies, they have been very helpful!
I am very excited to continue researching and visiting Lyon!

It might not be of much use itravl, but if you do a search on my name, there's an old trip report I never got around to finishing that might help with restaurant selections or things to do whilst in Lyon.

Enjoy!

Have a wonderful time, itravl.

DH and I enjoyed Lyon. As with Jay_G, click my name for TR (Menton and Lyon).

Agree about not needing a car in the city.

I topped my travel report--it is titled Menton, Lyon and London. Not just Menton and Lyon.