Compare cities

Housing and renting

Rent varies considerably by neighbourhood. The centre and the Presqu’île are often more expensive; compare current listings and options in well-connected suburbs.

Search listings on Leboncoin, SeLoger or Bien’ici, and compare options across neighbourhoods.

• Presqu’île and Croix-Rousse — central neighbourhoods that are often more expensive
• Part-Dieu — a business district; Confluence — a newer mixed-use neighbourhood
• Villeurbanne borders Lyon; some rental options there may be more affordable
• Prepare your rental application (dossier locataire) and check which documents each landlord requests

Transport

TCL is the Lyon metropolitan public-transport network, with metro, tram, bus and funicular services. Vélo’v is the city’s public bike-share scheme.

• 4 metro lines and several tram lines
• TCL offers monthly and annual passes; check which fare applies to you
• Part-Dieu and Perrache train stations; Rhônexpress links Part-Dieu with the airport

Schools and family

The city has schools, crèches, after-school care and activities for children.

• For a first enrolment in a public school, apply online or contact your arrondissement town hall
• CAF du Rhône, the family-benefits office, handles family allowances
• Leisure centres offer activities during school holidays

Housing and renting

Rents may be lower than in Lyon, but housing near the campuses and city centre is popular with students. Compare current listings.

Students can compare private rental listings with options from CROUS, France’s public student services and accommodation network.

• The city centre and university campuses in Saint-Martin-d’Hères and Gières
• Some neighbourhoods outside the centre may be more affordable
• Prepare your rental application and, if needed, your guarantor’s supporting documents

Transport

M réso (formerly TAG) operates the tram and bus network. Mvélo+ (formerly Métrovélo) is the local public bike-share service.

• Five tram lines (A to E) serve the metropolitan area
• M réso offers several pass options; check which fare applies to your age and situation
• Grenoble station is served by TER regional trains and TGV high-speed trains

Schools and family

The city has schools and activities connected with mountain sports.

• School enrolment is handled through the city’s family portal; paper applications are also accepted at Maison des Habitants (neighbourhood service centres)
• CAF de l’Isère (the family-benefits office)
• Ski and mountaineering clubs and associations

Housing and renting

The rental market is smaller than in the region’s largest cities; prices vary by neighbourhood and type of home. Compare current listings.

Compare listings by neighbourhood and by the length of rental you need.

• The historic centre may cost more than some neighbourhoods outside it
• If you work in Switzerland, also compare travel options to the border
• Prepare your rental application and check which documents each landlord requests

Transport

Synchro Bus is the Grand Chambéry bus network. Chambéry station is served by TER regional trains and TGV services.

• Synchro buses run across the local area
• TER services to Lyon and Grenoble
• Check current bus and train timetables for trips to the Alps and nearby resorts

Schools and family

The city offers schools, after-school services and access to outdoor activities.

• Ask Chambéry City Hall about school enrolment and after-school care
• CAF de Savoie, the family-benefits office

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood and season. The lake and proximity to Geneva can increase demand; compare year-round and seasonal listings.

When searching, distinguish year-round rentals from short-term tourist lets and account for seasonal demand.

• The centre and lakeside areas can be more expensive
• Compare neighbourhoods in Annecy with nearby towns around the lake
• Prepare your rental application and, if needed, your guarantor’s supporting documents

Transport

SIBRA runs local and regional buses linking Annecy with neighbouring towns and villages along the lake.

• SIBRA bus routes in Annecy and around the lake
• Annecy station is served by TER regional trains and TGV services
• Public-transport connections to Geneva and the airport vary; check current routes before travelling

Schools and family

Families can access schools, after-school services, the lake and mountain activities.

• Ask the town hall about school enrolment and after-school care
• CAF de Haute-Savoie, the family-benefits office

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood and type of rental. Compare current listings before deciding.

Compare listings by neighbourhood and distinguish year-round rentals from tourist lets.

• The town centre and lakefront
• Compare options in nearby communes too
• Prepare your rental application and check which documents each landlord requests

Transport

Ondéa Grand Lac is the local bus network for Aix-les-Bains and neighbouring communes; TER trains serve the station.

• TER trains to Chambéry and Lyon
• Ondéa Grand Lac buses: check current timetables

Schools and family

The city has schools and services for children.

• Ask the town hall about school enrolment and after-school care
• CAF de Savoie, the family-benefits office

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood and season. Compare listings in Albertville and nearby communes.

Winter demand for housing can shift with seasonal work and the proximity of ski resorts.

• Compare rentals in Albertville with accommodation in the resorts themselves
• Check the lease period and additional costs
• Prepare your rental application (dossier locataire)

Transport

Albertville has local buses and routes into the alpine valleys; timetables and seasonal services vary.

• Check buses and seasonal shuttles to your chosen resort
• Check current regional bus and train timetables
• In winter, check road conditions and any vehicle equipment required for your route

Schools and family

Albertville has schools and services for families.

• School enrolment is handled through the town’s family portal
• CAF de Savoie, the family-benefits office

Housing and renting

Rents may be lower than in Lyon, but prices vary by neighbourhood and property condition. Compare current listings.

Rental costs vary between the city centre and neighbouring communes.

• Compare the centre with nearby towns
• Check transport options for work and study
• Prepare your rental application (dossier locataire)

Transport

Valence-Ville station is served by TER regional trains. TGV trains stop at Valence TGV station in Alixan, outside the city; Citéa buses serve the urban area.

• Valence-Ville is the city-centre station for TER regional trains
• Valence TGV is in Alixan; check the connection to central Valence
• Citéa buses and the A7 motorway

Schools and family

The city has schools and services for families.

• Ask the town hall about school enrolment
• CAF de la Drôme, the family-benefits office

Housing and renting

Rents may be lower than in Lyon, but prices vary by neighbourhood and property condition. Compare current listings.

Rental listings and prices vary by neighbourhood; compare current options before choosing.

• Compare the city centre with neighbourhoods outside it
• Check routes to work, study and essential services
• Prepare your rental application (dossier locataire)

Transport

STAS runs buses and trams across the metropolitan area; TER trains connect Saint-Étienne with Lyon.

• STAS buses and trams
• TER trains between Saint-Étienne and Lyon; check current timetables

Schools and family

The city has schools and services for families.

• Start public-school enrolment online or at a neighbourhood town hall
• CAF de la Loire, the family-benefits office

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood and lease. Compare current listings, including rent, charges and travel costs.

Compare listings by neighbourhood, size, lease charges and commute to work or study.

• Check what the rent includes and what extra charges the lease provides for.
• Prepare a rental application file (dossier locataire); the documents depend on your situation and the landlord.

Transport

T2C operates tram and bus services in Clermont-Ferrand and nearby communes.

• Check the T2C map and timetable for your address and travel time.
• For train journeys, check SNCF TER timetables and connections.

Schools and family

The city manages enrolment in public schools and assigns a catchment school based on your address.

• Check the city website for the school sector and enrolment documents.
• The Puy-de-Dôme CAF (family-benefits office) can answer questions about family benefits.

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood, season, size and lease. Compare current listings and charges.

Compare listings by neighbourhood, size, charges and lease terms.

• Check the commute to work, study and the local services you need.
• Prepare a rental application file (dossier locataire); required documents depend on your circumstances and the landlord.

Transport

The ÉVA’D bus network serves the town and surrounding area. The railway station and passenger port provide regional and lake connections.

• Check train services on the SNCF TER website.
• CGN, the Lake Geneva boat operator, runs a service between Évian and Lausanne; check current timetables and seasonal operations.
• The municipal funicular operates seasonally; check its opening dates on the town website.

Schools and family

The town hall publishes information about schools and municipal family services.

• Check the City of Évian school page for catchment areas and enrolment requirements.
• The Haute-Savoie CAF (family-benefits office) can answer questions about family benefits.

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood, lease and daily travel. Compare current listings and charges.

Compare listings by address, size, charges and commute to work or study.

• Check the duration and cost of travel to your usual destination.
• Prepare a rental application file; if a guarantor is required, confirm the conditions with the landlord.

Transport

Tram 17 connects Annemasse with Geneva. TAC buses serve the wider area, and Léman Express trains run from Annemasse station.

• Tram 17 and Léman Express are separate services.
• Check TAC routes and timetables for your address.
• Check rail routes and times for your travel date.

Schools and family

The town hall can explain school enrolment and the catchment school for your address.

• Check the City of Annemasse website for current enrolment arrangements.
• The Haute-Savoie CAF (family-benefits office) can answer questions about family benefits.

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood, size and lease. Compare current listings and travel costs.

Compare listings by address, size, charges and lease terms.

• Check the commute to work, study and the services you need.
• Prepare a rental application file; required documents vary by landlord and personal circumstances.

Transport

Rubis operates urban and suburban bus routes. TER trains serve Bourg-en-Bresse station.

• Check current routes and timetables on the Rubis website.
• Check TER services to Lyon and any connections with SNCF for your travel date.

Schools and family

The town hall publishes school-enrolment procedures and municipal services for families.

• Check the catchment school and required documents on the city website.
• The Ain CAF (family-benefits office) can answer questions about family benefits.

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood, size and lease. Compare current listings, charges and travel costs.

Compare listings by address, size, charges and lease terms.

• Check the commute to work, study and the services you need.
• Prepare a rental application file; required documents depend on your circumstances and the landlord.

Transport

STAR’T, the Thonon Agglomération public-transport network, includes urban and interurban buses and the Thonon funicular. The station has TER and Léman Express services.

• Check current STAR’T routes and timetables before travelling.
• CGN (Compagnie générale de navigation), the Lake Geneva boat operator, publishes timetable N2 between Thonon and Lausanne; check service dates.
• Line 271 connects Thonon with Geneva; confirm the route and timetable with the operator.

Schools and family

The town hall provides information about school enrolment and municipal family services.

• Check the City of Thonon-les-Bains website for enrolment arrangements.
• The Haute-Savoie CAF (family-benefits office) can answer questions about family benefits.

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood, size and lease. Compare current listings and charges.

Compare listings by address, size, charges and lease terms.

• Check the commute to work, study and the services you need.
• Prepare a rental application file; required documents depend on the landlord and your circumstances.

Transport

Bourgoin-Jallieu station is served by TER regional trains, with services towards Lyon and Grenoble.

• Check SNCF TER for current times, stops and connections.
• For local buses, check information from the station and the wider transport network.

Schools and family

The town hall manages enrolment in public schools and assigns a catchment school based on your address.

• Check the City of Bourgoin-Jallieu website for enrolment arrangements.
• The Isère CAF (family-benefits office) can answer questions about family benefits.

Housing and renting

Housing costs vary by neighbourhood, size and lease. Compare current listings and everyday travel costs.

Compare listings by address, size, charges and lease terms.

• Check the commute to work, study and the services you need.
• Prepare a rental application file; required documents vary by landlord and personal circumstances.

Transport

Vienne station is served by TER regional trains and local L’VA buses.

• Check TER timetables and stops for your route and travel date.
• Check L’VA routes for your neighbourhood and nearby stops.

Schools and family

The town hall sets school catchment areas and publishes enrolment procedures.

• Check the City of Vienne website to find the school for your address and prepare the required documents.
• The Isère CAF (family-benefits office) can answer questions about family benefits.

Housing and renting

This profile does not quote an average rent. Compare current listings by neighbourhood, size, lease charges and daily travel costs.

Before signing a lease, compare the rent and charges, check the commute to work or study, and look at transport near the address. A local ADIL (departmental housing information agency) can advise on housing questions.

Transport

Before signing a lease, compare the rent and charges, check the commute to work or study, and look at transport near the address. A local ADIL (departmental housing information agency) can advise on housing questions.

Schools and family

Ask the town hall how to enrol a child and which school serves your address. CAF family benefits and CPAM health-insurance coverage depend on your circumstances; this page cannot confirm individual eligibility.

Housing and renting

This profile does not quote an average rent. Compare current listings by neighbourhood, size, lease charges and daily travel costs.

Before signing a lease, compare the rent and charges, check the commute to work or study, and look at transport near the address. A local ADIL (departmental housing information agency) can advise on housing questions.

Transport

Before signing a lease, compare the rent and charges, check the commute to work or study, and look at transport near the address. A local ADIL (departmental housing information agency) can advise on housing questions.

Schools and family

Ask the town hall how to enrol a child and which school serves your address. CAF family benefits and CPAM health-insurance coverage depend on your circumstances; this page cannot confirm individual eligibility.

Housing and renting

This profile does not quote an average rent. Compare current listings by neighbourhood, size, lease charges and daily travel costs.

Before signing a lease, compare the rent and charges, check the commute to work or study, and look at transport near the address. A local ADIL (departmental housing information agency) can advise on housing questions.

Transport

Before signing a lease, compare the rent and charges, check the commute to work or study, and look at transport near the address. A local ADIL (departmental housing information agency) can advise on housing questions.

Schools and family

Ask the town hall how to enrol a child and which school serves your address. CAF family benefits and CPAM health-insurance coverage depend on your circumstances; this page cannot confirm individual eligibility.

Housing and renting

This profile does not quote an average rent. Compare current listings by neighbourhood, size, lease charges and daily travel costs.

Before signing a lease, compare the rent and charges, check the commute to work or study, and look at transport near the address. A local ADIL (departmental housing information agency) can advise on housing questions.

Transport

Before signing a lease, compare the rent and charges, check the commute to work or study, and look at transport near the address. A local ADIL (departmental housing information agency) can advise on housing questions.

Schools and family

Ask the town hall how to enrol a child and which school serves your address. CAF family benefits and CPAM health-insurance coverage depend on your circumstances; this page cannot confirm individual eligibility.