Car Hire Lyon

Find your perfect hire car in Lyon

As the capital of France’s mountainous Rhône-Alpes region, Lyon is the perfect base for a road trip starting in France's third largest city.

With historic architecture at every turn, the entire city is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But that’s just the beginning. The city has much to offer through its diverse neighbourhoods, outstanding museums, lively clubs and sophisticated restaurants.

Explore this fascinating city and the mountainous countryside that lies beyond with an Avis car hired in Lyon.
Book now

Your top rental locations in Lyon

Plan your journey from Lyon

Lyon is an incredibly attractive city with a history dating back more than 2,000 years. Stunning architecture, from ancient through to modern, is found at every turn. This includes the Great Theatre of Fourvière – France’s oldest theatre built in Roman times by Emperor Augustus around 15 BC. Today, this ancient site hosts outdoor performances and festivals.

Lyon town centre is brimming with grand buildings, monuments and fountains. Be sure to visit Lyon Town Hall – one of the city’s largest and grandest buildings. This 17th century gem is located between Place des Terreaux and Place de la Comédie – two pretty public squares.

In the summer, locals and visitors head to the Croix-Rousse district perched at the top of the city. As well as being a few degrees cooler due to its altitude, this area has a fascinating heritage. A burgeoning silk industry began here in the 18th century, while this quarter was also home to Jacquard – the inventor of the loom machine. The history of this trade can be better understood with a visit to the Maison des Canuts (House of the Weavers) museum. Other attractions here include a farmer’s market, ancient churches, charming cafes and an array of quirky shops.

After discovering central Lyon, accelerate beyond its cultured city confines to discover a world of treats.

Road trips from Lyon

From fascinating ancient towns and quaint villages, to gorgeous landscapes filled with vineyards, road trips from Lyon guarantee scenic delight.

Vienne
Sitting majestically on the banks of the river Rhône, just 30 minutes' drive south from Lyon, is Vienne – a city renowned for its art and history. The rich archaeological heritage can be appreciated through an abundance of ancient sights, including landmarks dating back to Roman times. This includes the Théâtre Romain, a huge amphitheatre that was restored during the 20th century. It now hosts performances and leading events, including the annual summer International Jazz Festival. Another must-see sight is the Temple of Rome and Augustus that was built around 30 BC.

Beaujolais region
If you crave quintessentially French countryside, head north and in just 45 minutes you’ll arrive in the beautiful Beaujolais area.

As a premium wine region, the landscape is picturesquely dotted with vineyard-covered rolling hills as far as you can see. Stunning views are pleasantly interrupted by charming villages and historic sights, including Beaujeu and its ancient Church of Saint-Nicholas. The Beaujolais region is also famous for its delicious food, so take your pick from the many fine restaurants.

With an Avis rental car, you can make the most of your time here in Lyon and beyond. All you have to do is drive.

Lyon: a city of culture

The Festival of Lights is held every year for four days around December 8th. On this occasion, at nightfall, the city centre becomes a theatre of sound and light, each year more surprising. Kites and bouquets of luminous balloons, giant Japanese lanterns, building facades and illuminated bridges. Other artistic events include Nuits Sonores, an electronic music festival (in May), the Lyon Biennial of Contemporary Art and the Dance Biennial, held alternately every other year (September) or the dedicated Lumière Festival. The International Jazz Festival in Vienna, 30 minutes from Lyon, is held every year in early July.

Lyon's cultural icons are best explored from the comfort of your rental car. Head north on the right bank and visit the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Musée des Confluences. Further south, on the peninsula, there are three other museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Printing and the Fabric Museum. Opposite, the left bank is home to the Gadagne Museum, the Miniature Museum and Cinema and the Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization.

Further south, again right bank: the Museum of the Resistance and the Institute Lumière (Museum of the cinema).

Visiting Lyon by car

North of the city, along the Saône, is the Tête d'Or Park, one of the largest parks in Europe at 105 hectares. Among other attractions, the park includes a lake, a botanical garden with greenhouses, a zoo and rose gardens, all with free access. Not far from there, the old neighbourhoods of La Croix-Rousse house a curiosity called "traboules". The traboules are secret passages that cross several buildings and were used as shortcuts between some streets. The city counts nearly 230 in total, of which only a fraction are accessible to the public.

Jump in your hire car to visit La Mulatière, where the Grand Aquarium is located. On site, you can experience a real-world tour of fresh and marine waters, rivers from Europe to tropical seas through African lakes.

Avis Lyon: A car to suit your needs

Whatever your itinerary, Avis offers the best in Lyon car rental. From small city cars to the family sized people carrier, sports cars and convertibles to SUVs, book direct with Avis for the ultimate car hire experience.

Road rules in France

Which side of the road?
In France, please drive on the right side of the road.

Country driving laws

Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free device. Do not use headphones or earpieces
In towns and rural areas, on minor roads and where there is no clear indication of right of way, it may be prudent to give way to traffic coming from the right (“priorité a droite”)
Bus lanes are reserved exclusively for buses, taxis and bicycles
It is recommended that drivers use dipped headlights at all times

Speed limits

All speed signs will be in km/h.

For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailer:

Urban areas: 50 km/h (31 mph)
Rural areas: 90 km/h (55 mph)
4-lane expressways (rural areas): 110 km/h (68 mph)
Motorways: 130 km/h (80 mph)

Unless indicated by road signs.

Be aware of changes to speed limits displayed on road signs due to adverse weather conditions

Child safety / Seatbelt laws

It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
Children aged under 10 and weighing less than 36kg must be seated in appropriate child restraint
Children weighing up to 9 kg must travel in a rear-facing car seat, in the back of the car only

Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.

This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.