Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport car hire
You will find the Avis car hire desk located within Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport, close to the arrivals area.If you have trouble finding the Avis desk, ask one of the friendly members of staff who will be happy to help.
Popular car hire locations in Lyon
Plan your trip from Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport
Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport is conveniently located only 30 minutes drive from the centre of Lyon.The city’s top attractions include the Cathédrale St-Jean, an impressive Romanesque structure and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, a gallery featuring an incredible collection of sculptures and paintings. Be sure to visit the central square, Place des Terreaux, where the 19th century Fontaine Bartholdi is the centrepiece.
Culture lovers should spend an evening at the Opéra de Lyon, a neoclassical building erected in 1831.
Lyon is famous for its incredible cuisine and there’s a huge array of restaurants and cafes scattered across the city. To sample some of the local delights, head to one of the legendary bouchons. These small homely eateries serve up traditional fare. The chicken liver terrine at Bouchon Le Jura is well worth trying.
Chocolate fans gather at Chokola, a unique shop dedicated to the ultimate sweet treat. Admire the wall of liquid chocolate that greets you on entry and buy some gifts for friends and family at home.
Road trips from Lyon
Why not plan a trip along the French Riviera and stop off to explore at your own pace in your Avis hire car?From Lyon, drive to Avignon, home to the 14th Century Palace of the Popes, the biggest Gothic palace in the world. Carry on to the beautiful port city of Marseille and try the fish and seafood, fresh off the boats.
Lyon is in eastern France, so it’s easy to reach Switzerland. In an Avis car hired at the airport, it’s just a 90-minute drive from Lyon to cosmopolitan Geneva. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum is a must-visit – a humbling attraction that showcases humanitarian efforts around the world. Take in some fresh air and stop for a coffee in Bastions Park. If you’re visiting during winter, make the most of the temporary ice-skating rink here.
Just over an hour from Lyon (via the A43 and A48) is the town of Grenoble, positioned picturesquely in the French Alps. Art lovers should head to Musée de Grenoble, where an incredible selection of 20th century art from the likes of Miró and Magritte is exhibited. For a rustic French meal, head straight to Brasserie Chavant, a manor house and restaurant that first opened its doors in 1852. Order the stuffed lobster if you want to be particularly decadent.
Driving 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)
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.