What Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu is
Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu is Lyon’s main railway station and one of France’s busiest and most strategically important transport hubs outside Paris. It serves over 140,000 passengers each day and connects Lyon with national and European destinations through high-speed TGV, regional TER, Intercity, and international services.
Located in the Part-Dieu business district, the station links trains with the metro, trams, buses, and the Rhônexpress airport tram. It also has shopping and dining facilities and is close to Westfield La Part-Dieu, Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, and Lyon’s UNESCO-listed Old Town.
History and significance
The site’s railway history dates to 1859, when Part-Dieu operated as a freight station. Its transformation into Lyon’s principal passenger hub began in the late 1970s. The station was officially inaugurated in 1978 and became fully operational for passengers by 1982, as part of Lyon’s broader urban renewal and the growth of the Part-Dieu business district.
Designed with modernist principles, the station has a linear, functional layout integrated with the surrounding city. Its development helped catalyze the Part-Dieu district and support economic growth.
Lyon-Part-Dieu is described as France’s busiest rail station outside Paris. It serves over 700 trains daily, including 150 high-speed TGVs, and connects Lyon with Paris, Marseille, Geneva, and other destinations. The station also faces periods of up to 1,200 trains daily, with congestion and platform crowding among its operational challenges.
What to see and redevelopment
The station’s redevelopment began in 2014 and is the largest of its kind in France outside the Paris region. The phased project has €440 million in funding from multiple stakeholders and is scheduled for completion by 2026.
Key milestones and features include:
- 2014 Initial demolition and construction began.
- 2018 Accessibility and urban-integration upgrades.
- June 2024 A new 210-meter main hall opened, adding almost one-third more available space. The bright, spacious gallery is intended to ease congestion and improve comfort.
- Autumn 2024 New pedestrian access and the underground “place basse.”
- Summer 2025 Place Béraudier and a new stainless-steel canopy are scheduled for delivery.
Place Béraudier is being transformed into a leafy, pedestrian-friendly urban square with 55 new trees. The underground Place Basse includes a 1,300-space bicycle station, a taxi stand, metro access, and new shops. The stainless-steel canopy is a 15-meter-high landmark.
The redevelopment aims to improve pedestrian access and multimodal connections, add green space to support air quality and urban comfort, and balance the Part-Dieu district’s business, residential, and retail needs while preserving key architectural features.
For images and virtual tours of the redevelopment, see Tribune de Lyon and Le Figaro.
Practical visiting information
Layout and platforms
The station stretches along Boulevard Vivier Merle and Place de Francfort. Its layout includes:
- Ground floor Main concourse with ticketing, shops, and platform access.
- Upper floors Additional waiting areas, retail, and a business lounge.
- Underground Metro Line B, parking, and tram and bus interchanges.
Three integrated shopping galleries—Béraudier, Pompidou, and Villette—serve passengers. The station has 12 main tracks, including the recent Voie L expansion. Platforms are reached by escalators, elevators, and stairs, with bilingual signage and digital displays for real-time updates.
Opening hours and tickets
- Station access Daily, 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM.
- Shops and services Typically 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with hours varying by business.
Check the official Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu website for up-to-date hours, especially during holidays.
Tickets are available at station counters and self-service machines, as well as online through SNCF and operator apps. Ticket types include single, return, and rail passes. Advance booking is recommended for TGV and international routes.
Transport connections
- Trains TGV, TER, Intercity, and international services.
- Metro Line B, with direct station access.
- Trams T1, T3, and T4.
- Buses City and regional services.
- Airport Rhônexpress to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport, taking about 30 minutes (rhonexpress.fr).
- Cycling Vélo’v bike stations and e-scooter rentals (velov.grandlyon.com).
- Taxis and rideshares Taxi ranks and dedicated pickup zones are at the main entrances.
Facilities and accessibility
Facilities include climate-controlled waiting areas, business zones, and family and accessible seating. The three shopping galleries contain 15,000 m² of shops and eateries. Automated luggage lockers are available; lost and found is at the SNCF information desk. Restrooms include accessible facilities, baby-changing areas, and showers. Other services include free Wi-Fi, charging points, digital boards, travel apps, four public car parks, and on-site car rental agencies.
The station is fully accessible, with step-free routes, elevators, tactile paving, accessible toilets, induction loops, and pre-bookable assistance through Accès Plus. Reserved parking and seating are available for travelers with reduced mobility. See the Gare de Lyon-Part-Dieu Station Guide for station information.
Tips
- Use the new, clearly marked entrances and step-free routes.
- Allow extra time during construction, which is ongoing through mid-2025.
- Weekday mornings and afternoons are peak travel periods; plan accordingly.
- The large underground bicycle station and taxi stand are available at Place Basse.
Nearby places
- Westfield La Part-Dieu Shopping center with 200+ shops and 40+ restaurants.
- Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse Renowned food market.
- Tour To-Lyon Modern skyscraper with business and dining.
- Old Town (Vieux Lyon) UNESCO site accessible by metro or tram.
- Parc de la Tête d’Or Major urban park accessible by public transport.
Official guided tours are not offered at the station. Its contemporary architecture and new canopy are popular with photographers, and the city offers walking tours focused on history and gastronomy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the station’s opening hours?
The station is open daily from 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM. Shops and services generally operate from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with variations by business.
How can I buy train tickets?
Tickets are available at counters, self-service machines, online via SNCF, and through operator apps.
Is the station accessible for travelers with disabilities?
Yes. Step-free access, tactile guidance, accessible facilities, and assistance services are available.
Are there luggage and bicycle storage options?
Yes. The station has automated luggage lockers and an underground bike station with 1,300 spaces.
What are the main transport connections?
Connections include TGV, TER, metro Line B, trams T1, T3, and T4, buses, Rhônexpress, taxis, and bike-share.
