Dating in Lyon: Best Free Sites & Apps for English Speakers

Is Lyon a good city for dating?

Lyon has a reputation as a slightly more reserved, more bourgeois city than Paris, but that image is only half true. France’s third city is home to a very large student population, a strong business and research scene and a social life built around food, wine and the riverbanks. It is big enough to offer plenty of choice and small enough that you keep bumping into the same people.

The international community is solid, if smaller than in the capital: students on exchange, staff at international companies, pharmaceutical and biotech firms, and the business schools. Young professionals and students often speak good English, but Lyonnais social circles can take time to open up, and French remains the key to them.

The apps and sites singles use in Lyon

Most people under 35 in Lyon start with the free apps. Tinder and Bumble both work in English and let you chat with matches at no cost, Hinge does the same with a daily limit on likes, and happn connects you with people whose paths you have crossed, handy in the dense Presqu’île.

The sites listed in our France ranking are where people go when they want commitment:

• Meetic is the leading choice for serious relationships among 25 to 49 year olds. Joining, browsing and likes are free; messaging needs a subscription at €24.99/month. French interface.
• eDarling focuses on long-term relationships for singles over 40. Its personality test, match suggestions and smiles cost nothing, but photos and messages are paid (€14.90/month). In French.
• DisonsDemain is designed for singles over 50, with a French interface and messaging at €16/month.
• DateMyAge has an English interface and suits singles over 40. Registration and browsing are free; messages and video chat work with credits (€11.99).

Neighbourhoods and places to meet people

The Presqu’île, the peninsula between the Rhône and the Saône, is the city’s beating heart, full of bars, restaurants and shopping streets. Vieux Lyon, on the far bank of the Saône, is the Renaissance old town with its traditional bouchons and small bars. Croix-Rousse, the former silk workers’ hill, has a village feel, laid-back cafés and a younger, creative crowd, while the Guillotière area across the Rhône is cheaper, more mixed and popular with students.

In good weather, the banks of the Rhône turn into one long open-air meeting place, with people walking, cycling and having drinks on the moored barges. The Parc de la Tête d’Or is ideal for running or a Sunday walk. Lyon’s universities, its business schools and the ENS de Lyon all have international student associations, and Meetup and InterNations groups organise language exchanges, wine tastings and hikes in the nearby Alps. The Fête des Lumières in December, when the whole city is lit up, is also a famously sociable few days.

Local dating etiquette

• Food is a big deal in Lyon. Suggesting a bouchon or a good market lunch shows interest, but for a first meeting, a drink in a wine bar is less pressure.
• A daytime walk up the Fourvière hill for the view over the city is a classic, low-key date.
• Lyonnais can seem reserved at first; do not read polite distance as lack of interest.
• Be on time, dress neatly rather than flashily, and try your French: it is noticed and appreciated.
• Keep the first meetings in public places and never transfer money to a match, whatever the reason given.

Which site fits you in Lyon?

Lyon is France’s food capital and a busy business city, and many singles there are serious about both. The French sites in our ranking are mostly in French.

Busy professional, 25-49, open to something serious

Meetic is our top-rated French site for serious relationships. Free tip: creating a profile, browsing and sending likes are free; translate the French pages in your browser while setting up.

Expat who doesn’t speak French yet

Hinge works in English and keeps chat with matches free. Free tip: over 40? DateMyAge also works in English, with free registration and browsing and credits for messages.

Looking for a long-term partner, 40+

eDarling matches people through a personality test, in French. Free tip: the test and your suggestions are free; seeing photos and messaging cost €14.90/month.

Something casual

Femme Libérée (25-55) is free for women; men pay for messaging, starting with a €1.04 trial. It is in French. Free tip: create a profile and browse for free first.

Dating in Lyon: FAQ

Is it hard to date in Lyon as a foreigner?

Not especially, but local circles can take time to open up. English works well on the apps and with students and young professionals, and learning French makes a big difference over time.

Which dating site is free in Lyon?

Meetic, eDarling and DisonsDemain are free to join and browse, but messaging is paid. Tinder, Bumble, Hinge and happn let you chat with your matches for free.

Where do singles go out in Lyon?

The Presqu’île, Vieux Lyon, Croix-Rousse and the banks of the Rhône are the main areas for bars and evenings out, with Guillotière popular among students.

Is Tinder used a lot in Lyon?

Yes, Tinder is one of the most popular apps in Lyon, along with Bumble, Hinge and happn, and all of them work in English.