Discovering Rhône (Department 69)
Updated: Oct 8
Introduction
Rhône (Department 69) sits in the heart of eastern France within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is one of France's most economically dynamic departments, combining the vibrant metropolitan city of Lyon with picturesque wine-producing villages, rolling countryside and attractive rural communities. Although it is one of the country's smaller departments by area, it offers an impressive variety of lifestyles.
Whether you're considering moving to Rhône, retiring in Rhône, purchasing a second home, relocating a business or spending several months each year in France, the department offers excellent transport links, outstanding healthcare, world-famous gastronomy and a strong international community. It appeals equally to professionals seeking career opportunities and those wanting village life within easy reach of a major city.
At a Glance
Feature | Information |
Region | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes |
Historic name | Part of the historic Lyonnais province |
Department number | 69 |
Department capital | Lyon |
Largest towns | Lyon, Villeurbanne, Vénissieux, Caluire-et-Cuire, Bron, Villefranche-sur-Saône |
Population | Approximately 1.9 million |
Area | Around 3,250 km² |
Climate | Continental with Mediterranean influences; warm summers and cool winters |
Best suited for | Professionals, retirees, entrepreneurs, families, remote workers |
Is a car recommended? | Yes outside Lyon; optional within Lyon metropolitan area |
English-speaking community | Large, particularly around Lyon |
Lifestyle summary | Cosmopolitan city life combined with wine country, countryside and excellent infrastructure |
Why Choose Rhône?
Rhône is often considered one of France's most balanced departments, offering both urban excitement and peaceful rural living.
Lifestyle
Residents can enjoy everything from bustling city cafés and Michelin-starred restaurants to quiet vineyard villages and scenic countryside. Life is generally active, with a strong emphasis on food, culture and outdoor leisure.
Community
Lyon attracts a large international population thanks to its universities, multinational employers and growing technology sector. English-speaking residents are relatively easy to find, while smaller towns offer welcoming local communities where learning French quickly becomes part of everyday life.
Scenery
Although Rhône is best known for Lyon, much of the department consists of vineyards, hills and attractive river valleys. The Beaujolais wine region offers charming villages, walking trails and beautiful landscapes throughout the year.
Accessibility
One of Rhône's biggest strengths is its location.
You can easily reach:
Paris by high-speed train
Geneva in around two hours
The Alps for skiing
Provence and the Mediterranean
Italy and Switzerland by road
Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport provides excellent European and international connections.
Food
Rhône is widely regarded as one of France's gastronomic capitals.
Local highlights include:
Traditional bouchons
World-famous Beaujolais wines
Artisan cheeses
Charcuterie
Fresh regional produce
Excellent weekly markets
Culture
The department has an exceptionally rich cultural life with:
UNESCO-listed heritage
Opera
Theatre
Museums
Music festivals
Contemporary art
International sporting events
Property
Property ranges enormously depending on location.
Options include:
Stylish city apartments
Riverside homes
Village houses
Farmhouses
Vineyard properties
Modern family homes
Lyon commands premium prices, while northern and western rural areas offer better value.
Pace of Life
You can choose the pace that suits you.
Lyon offers fast-moving urban living.
Smaller towns provide a slower, community-focused lifestyle.
Wine villages deliver a peaceful rural atmosphere without feeling isolated.
Rhône Is It Right For You?
Lifestyle | Rating | Why? |
Retirees | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Excellent healthcare and culture, though city property prices can be high. |
Families | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Outstanding schools, healthcare, transport and employment opportunities. |
Second-home owners | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Beautiful countryside and easy transport links make it attractive. |
Entrepreneurs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | One of France's strongest regional economies with excellent business support. |
Remote workers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Fast internet, co-working spaces and excellent connectivity. |
Outdoor lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Walking, cycling, vineyards, rivers and nearby mountains. |
City lifestyle | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Lyon is one of Europe's finest medium-sized cities. |
Popular Places to Live
Lyon
Description
France's third-largest city combines history, business, gastronomy and culture.
Ideal for
Professionals
Entrepreneurs
Families
Remote workers
Advantages
Superb transport
International airport
Excellent healthcare
Outstanding restaurants
Strong employment market
Things to consider
Higher property prices
Busy traffic
Competitive housing market
Villefranche-sur-Saône
Description
A lively market town and gateway to Beaujolais.
Ideal for
Retirees
Families
Commuters
Advantages
Good rail links
Attractive town centre
More affordable housing
Things to consider
Smaller international community than Lyon
Oingt
Description
One of France's officially recognised beautiful villages, surrounded by vineyards.
Ideal for
Second-home owners
Retirees
Advantages
Stunning scenery
Peaceful atmosphere
Traditional architecture
Things to consider
Limited local services
Car essential
Beaujeu
Description
Historic capital of the Beaujolais wine region.
Ideal for
Wine lovers
Rural living
Retirees
Advantages
Friendly community
Beautiful countryside
Outdoor activities
Things to consider
Fewer employment opportunities
L'Arbresle
Description
A pleasant town west of Lyon with excellent commuter links.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Advantages
Good schools
Rail services
Local amenities
Things to consider
Increasing demand for housing
Caluire-et-Cuire
Description
A desirable residential suburb immediately north of Lyon.
Ideal for
Families
Professionals
Advantages
Excellent quality of life
Green spaces
Close to city centre
Things to consider
Premium property market
Tassin-la-Demi-Lune
Description
A leafy western suburb popular with professionals.
Ideal for
Families
Executives
Advantages
Quiet residential environment
Excellent schools
Easy Lyon access
Things to consider
Higher housing costs
Cost of Living
Compared with Paris, Rhône generally offers better value, although Lyon remains one of France's more expensive cities.
Property affordability
Lyon city centre commands premium prices.
Suburbs offer greater value.
Rural Rhône provides significantly more affordable options.
Village homes can represent excellent long-term value.
Shopping
Supermarkets range from budget chains to premium food halls. Weekly markets provide fresh local produce at competitive prices.
Utilities
Utility costs are broadly in line with national averages. Modern, energy-efficient homes naturally reduce running costs.
Eating out
Dining options range from affordable cafés to internationally renowned restaurants. Even smaller towns usually offer good-value lunch menus and traditional local cuisine.
General value for money
For many residents, Rhône offers an excellent balance between earning potential, services and quality of life.
Healthcare
Rhône is one of France's strongest departments for healthcare.
Main hospitals
Hospices Civils de Lyon
Hôpital Édouard Herriot
Hôpital Lyon Sud
Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant
Hospital facilities in Villefranche-sur-Saône
Healthcare availability
Doctors, dentists and pharmacies are widely available, particularly around Lyon.
Access to specialists
One of the department's greatest strengths is its excellent access to specialist medical care across almost every discipline.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies are plentiful, with emergency services operating outside normal opening hours.
General healthcare considerations
Healthcare access is generally excellent, although registering with a local GP soon after arriving is advisable.
Education
Rhône has one of France's strongest education systems.
Schools
There is an excellent choice of:
State schools
Catholic schools
Independent schools
Colleges and universities
Lyon is home to numerous respected universities and higher education institutions, attracting students from around the world.
International options
Several international schools offer bilingual or English-language education, making Rhône particularly attractive for expatriate families.
Language schools
French language schools are widely available for adults wishing to improve their language skills.
Getting Around
Airports
The department is served primarily by Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, offering extensive domestic, European and international flights.
Rail
Lyon is one of France's major rail hubs.
Direct TGV services connect with:
Paris
Marseille
Lille
Strasbourg
Geneva
Barcelona (selected services)
Roads
Excellent motorway access includes:
A6
A7
A42
A43
A89
Public transport
Lyon has one of France's best urban transport systems featuring:
Metro
Trams
Buses
Funicular railways
Extensive cycling infrastructure
Is a car recommended?
Within Lyon: Not essential.
Elsewhere in Rhône: Highly recommended.
Weekly Markets
Town | Main Market Day |
Lyon (various districts) | Daily markets across the city |
Villefranche-sur-Saône | Saturday |
Beaujeu | Wednesday |
Tarare | Tuesday |
L'Arbresle | Friday |
Brignais | Saturday |
Givors | Thursday |
Condrieu | Friday |
Local Food & Drink
Rhône is a paradise for food lovers.
Specialities include:
Beaujolais wines
Côtes du Rhône wines (southern areas)
Traditional Lyonnais bouchon cuisine
Rosette de Lyon
Saucisson chaud
Quenelles
Cervelle de canut
Saint-Marcellin cheese
Rigotte de Condrieu cheese
Praline tart
Bugnes
Local honey
Artisan chocolates
Things to Do
Rhône offers activities throughout the year.
Historic sites
UNESCO-listed Old Lyon
Roman theatres
Medieval villages
Renaissance architecture
Historic churches
Outdoor activities
Walking
Cycling
River cruises
Vineyard tours
Running trails
Golf
Canoeing
Museums
Highlights include:
Fine arts
Contemporary art
Cinema
Printing
Science
Textile history
Festivals
Festival of Lights
Nuits de Fourvière
Beaujolais Nouveau celebrations
Music festivals
Christmas markets
Nature
Residents enjoy:
Beaujolais hills
Rhône and Saône rivers
Local parks
Regional walking routes
Easy access to the Alps
Family attractions
City parks
Zoos
Aquariums
Interactive museums
Adventure parks
Seasonal events
Good to Know Before You Move
Language
While English is more commonly spoken in Lyon than in many French departments, learning French will greatly improve everyday life and integration.
Rural living
Outside Lyon, villages can be peaceful and community-focused. A car is usually essential, and some services may have limited opening hours.
Internet
High-speed broadband and fibre are widely available, particularly in urban areas. Rural coverage continues to improve, making remote working increasingly practical.
Seasonal tourism
Lyon attracts visitors throughout the year, especially during the Festival of Lights and major cultural events. Popular wine villages can also become busy during harvest and festival periods.
Climate
Expect warm summers, colourful autumns, cool winters and pleasant springs. Summer temperatures can occasionally become very hot, while winter frosts are common.
Community life
Local life often revolves around neighbourhood events, markets, food festivals, sporting clubs and cultural associations. Joining local groups is an excellent way to integrate into the community.
Find Trusted English-Speaking Businesses
Whether you're living here, moving here, retiring here or simply spending part of the year here, finding reliable local services can make settling in much easier.
Biz Où? helps you discover trusted English-speaking businesses across France, including property professionals, tradespeople, accountants, healthcare providers, legal services, gardeners, cleaners, holiday services, financial advisers, pet care, marketing specialists and many more.
Every listing is designed to help you connect with businesses that understand the needs of English-speaking residents, making it easier to build your new life in one of France's most popular departments.
Find Places to Visit as recommended by readers
Some of the best places in France aren’t found in guidebooks — they’re discovered by people who live here, love it here and know where the magic is. Explore places recommended by our readers, from hidden gems and beautiful villages to favourite markets, cafés, beaches and unforgettable days out. Who knows what you’ll discover?
Find Properties for Sale, Rent, Winter and Summer Holiday Accommodation
Your next chapter in France could be closer than you think. Explore our Property Hub for homes, holiday properties and opportunities from local property partners across France. Whether you’re dreaming of a permanent move, a place in the sun, an investment or simply somewhere to escape to, go on — have a look. Your French property might be waiting.
Plan Your French Dream
Dreaming of a life in France? Start turning the dream into a plan. Plan Your French Dream brings together practical guides, local insights and useful information to help you explore your options, understand what’s involved and make confident decisions about moving, retiring, buying a home or simply creating a life you’ll love. Start exploring — your French story begins with a plan.
Where Will Your French Story Begin
What if the place you’ve been dreaming about is waiting for you in France? A little village where everyone knows your name, a lively market town, a home surrounded by rolling countryside or somewhere completely unexpected. Explore our guides to France’s regions and departments, discover the character, lifestyle and possibilities of each area, and start finding the place that feels like it could be yours. Where will your French story begin?
Comments