Culture and leisure

You may find it easier to integrate into a new country if you join associations or take part in cultural and sporting activities.

Lyon and Saint-Etienne boast a plethora of activities to occupy your free time. Here are a few resources to help you find your ideal activities.

Most institutions offer programs, outings or events for their international students. Don’t hesitate to contact your institution's international relations department.

• Lyon International

Lyon International is an association that puts expats in touch with local families to share a meal together. The association also organizes other activities to help with the integration of foreigners who move to Lyon.
Visit the website
 

• Accueil Villes Françaises - Lyon

Accueil des Villes Françaises Lyon-Rhône is an association that aims to facilitate your move to Lyon, by organizing activities for new arrivals from abroad.
Visit the website
 

• Association Jeunes Ambassadeurs

The Association Jeunes Ambassadeurs supports international Masters or PhD students who recently moved to the Auvergne-Rhône region by offering them the possibility to discover French culture and the local economy.
Visit the website

• ONLYLYON ambassadors events
  

Do you love Lyon? Join the ONLYLYON ambassador network, which helps promote Lyon on an international scale. Special events are organized regularly for ONLYLYON ambassadors. They are the ideal opportunity to meet new people and expand your network. What’s more, its free to join!
Visit the website
 

• ESN Como

The association ESN Cosmo is for international students and offers regular outings and integration activities in Lyon and the surrounding area. 
Visit the Facebook page

For students, there are many different offers, subscriptions and special rates to help you discover the Lyon region, such as the Student culture pass

More information about cultural offers for students in the Lyon Metropolitan Area.

For researchers and PhD students working in a higher education institution or a laboratory, cultural offers may be available for staff members.
 

• Lyon' Municipal library
  

The largest public library in France. You can borrow books, CDs and DVDs. There is also a special section for learning French; exhibitions, training sessions, etc.
Visit the website
 

• Lyon Culture

The website dedicated to culture in the city of Lyon. All current and upcoming cultural activities
Visit the website
 

• Le Petit Bulletin

A weekly rundown of leisure and cultural activities: cinema, theater, music, exhibitions, parties, conferences, etc. It contains everything, and is free! Le Petit Bulletin is distributed free of charge, and you can pick up a copy almost everywhere in Lyon and Saint-Etienne (stores, museums, libraries, bars, restaurants, etc.). You can also check out the program online.
Visit the website

• Lyon's museums
  

Discover the different museums in Lyon
Visit the website

Students have access to sports classes and facilities at their institution.

For researchers and PhD students working at a higher education institution or a laboratory, please contact the sports department, which can organize classes for staff members.

• The sports page of the official City of Lyon Website
  

Visit the website
 

• Sport associations in Lyon

Check out the directory of sports associations in Lyon, where you can locate all clubs by sport near you.
Visit the website
 

• Running in Lyon
  

The runners from the Wanarun website offer different routes for you to download to go running in Lyon and the surrounding areas.
Visit the website
 

• Hikes and walks in and around Lyon
  

Lyon Evasion offers walking and hiking itineraries on its website that you can do alone, with friends or family in and around Lyon.
Visit the website
 

• Swimming in Lyon

List of swimming pools in Lyon.
Visit the website

What are "Bouchons Lyonnais"?

“Bouchons” are a Lyon institution, where conviviality, generous portions and jugs of wine are on offer: tablier de sapeur (tripe), sheep’s feet, Lyon-style andouillette sausage, Lyon’s famous salads, tripe, pig’s feet, cervelle de Canut (flavored cream cheese), cardoons with bone marrow, quenelle, cervelas sausage, and Lyon salami are just a few of the specialties you can try in one of these typical restaurants serving regional French cuisine.

Les Toques Blanches lyonnaises

Over a hundred chefs from Lyon and the Rhône-Alpes region are members of the association Toques Blanches Lyonnaises. Each year, new talented chefs join renowned chefs from the local culinary scene injecting new life into the association.

Useful links for choosing and booking a restaurant

• www.lyon-france.com/Restaurants
• www.petitpaume.com
• www.lafourchette.com

 

• Greeters in Saint-Etienne
  

Visit Saint-Etienne with a local resident! Free and personalized, some Greeters even speak English!
Visit the website

• Municipal librairies and media centers in Saint-Etienne
  

Borrow books, CDs and DVDs; film library; exhibitions, training sessions, etc.
Visit the website

• Saint Etienne Culture
  

The culture website of the Saint-Etienne Tourist Office All current and upcoming cultural activities as well as great tips for going out and discovering new places.
Visit the website

• Saint Etienne Hors Cadre
  

The social network for tips for going out and discovering Saint-Etienne.
Visit the website

• Le Petit Bulletin
  

A weekly rundown of leisure and cultural activities: cinema, theater, music, exhibitions, parties, conferences, etc. It contains everything, and is free! Le Petit Bulletin is distributed free of charge, and you can pick up a copy almost everywhere in Lyon and Saint-Etienne (stores, museums, libraries, bars, restaurants, etc.). You can also check out the program online.
Le Petit Bulletin for Saint-Etienne

• Saint Etienne Opera
  

Dance, music, and so much more! Go backstage at the Opera.
Visit the website

• Museums in Saint Etienne
  

Discover the different museums in Saint-Etienne
Visit the website

An annual Museum Pass is available to visit the four must-see museums in the city as many times as you like.
 

• Saint Etienne City Crunch
  

The places to go, the things to see, moments not to be missed, all you need for a great stay in Saint-Etienne
Visit the website

Students have access to sports classes and facilities at their institution.

For researchers and PhD students working at a higher education institution or a laboratory, please contact the sports department, which can organize classes for staff members.

• The sports page of the official city of Saint-Etienne website
  

Treetop adventure courses, boating, hiking, swimming, there’s something for everyone!
Visit the website

• The sports page of the tourist office
  

For sport in Saint Etienne and the surrounding areas
Visit the website
 

• Running in Saint Etienne
  

The runners from the Wanarun website offer different routes for you to download to go running in Lyon and the surrounding areas.
Visit the website

• Hiking and walking in and around Saint Etienne

Sainté Balades: 17 routes to discover or rediscover the city.
Visit the website

• Swimming in Saint Etienne
  

List of swimming pools in Saint Etienne
Visit the website

France is renowned for its culinary specialties. Each region boasts its own cuisine, and the Loire is no exception.

Here is some information that is sure to make your mouth water.

Râpés (potato cakes), bugnes (donuts), baraban salad (dandelion salad), Fourme de Montbrison cheese, Sarasson cream cheese, not forgetting the Matefaim (type of crêpe), these are just some of the specialties on offer in Saint Etienne.

Where to eat in Saint Etienne:

 

• Le petit Futé
• Saint Etienne hors cadre
• La Fourchette
• Le Gault et Millau
• Saint Etienne City Crunch
• Tourisme Saint Etienne