Lyon
Study
There are three major universities in Lyon: Lyon I,II and III. All three specialise in different areas and are spread out across the city.
Université Lyon I, is primarily science and medicine based and is located to the north of the city at the La Doua campus. The campus is quite big but also quite dated however does offer some excellent sports facilities (there are free tennis courts if you fancy a quick knock), it is easy to get to and it has its own tram stop.
Université Lyon II, is an arts and languages focused university. The main campus is located on the outskirts of the city towards Bron, but again is quite easily accessible on the tram. The campus, and a lot of the students have quite a bohemian feel, and when they are not in lectures can often be spotted wandering the streets of the old town.
For students studying at l’Université Lumière Lyon II – Your main building is at Quai Claude-Bernard on the Rhone (Tramway T1 has a stop right outside the university building) and you can enjoy top of the range computer facilities in the new computer rooms filled with Apple Mac PCs. This is also the site of the main library. There is another site at the Porte des Alpes, on Tramway T2, in the south of the city. This is near a big shopping centre with an Auchan mega store and Ikea for buying useful items for your accommodation! (See http://www.univ-lyon2.fr/ for details about the university, the courses on offer and a map.)
Université Jean Moulin Lyon III, concentrates on the subject areas of business and law, however they do also have a growing language department. The university is again spread out around the city, but most international students will find themselves at the Manufacture des Tabacs, a converted tobacco factory (hence the name) which has been beautifully developed to offer a stunning contrast between the old and the new. From the centre of town the best way to get there is on the metro, line D, stopping as Sans Soucis. When you get off just follow the hoard of students who will lead you back to the university.
For students studying at l’Université Jean Moulin Lyon III – The International Relations office that deals with ERASMUS student registration, accommodation issues, module choices, Fresher’s Week induction courses and French language classes can be found at the “Manufacture des Tabacs” site, Cours Albert Thomas, near “Sans Souci” metro station. The main contact for prospective students is Chantal Ortillez, head of the International Relations team. Her email address is ortillez@univ-lyon3.fr. The university has another major campus at 15 Quai Claude Bernard. This site is used mostly by students studying masters courses. (See http://www.univ-lyon3.fr/ for more information about the university itself, details about the courses available and a map for directions.)
There is even a McDonalds(!) on site and has a nice student pub round the corner called Red House, with pool tables, an upstairs dance floor and often shows major sporting events. Lyon III also offers a variety of sporting options, such as football, wall climbing, tennis, squash, dance classes and a gym. There is no real university “society” culture in Lyon (e.g. Law Society, Medics Society, French Society etc), so meeting new people and arranging nights out depends on your own initiative.
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