Intergenerational homesharing in Lyon and Villeurbanne

Two routes into homesharing in Lyon

Lyon offers something unusual among French cities: alongside classic room-in-a-home matches, the City of Lyon and the regional student services agency, the Crous, place students in self-contained flats inside municipal residences for older people. Each route suits a different temperament.

The first route resembles homeshare schemes in Britain or Australia, with a shared kitchen and a negotiated routine. The second gives the student a private studio and asks for a fixed amount of volunteering, which many international students find easier to manage.

Room in a home: the three recognised charities

The City of Lyon names three organisations that match older homeowners with young lodgers: Parisolidaire Lyon, Tim et Colette and Ensemble2générations. Each sets its own fees, vetting process and follow-up, so comparing them before applying is worthwhile.

A national contract created in 2018 governs these arrangements between a host of 60 or more and someone under 30. In practice, the quality of the charity's mediation matters more to your day-to-day experience than the legal text.

A discount for older residents with the Carte Senior

The City promotes an offer for holders of its Carte Senior: the contribution to Ensemble2générations drops to 200 or 300 euros depending on the formula, instead of 230 or 330 euros, and the first home visit, normally 30 euros, is free.

Is there a charge for the student too?

Charities usually charge both parties a membership or matching fee, and some formulas add a monthly payment to the host. The City page does not list student fees, so ask each organisation directly and compare the total annual cost.

Studios in municipal senior residences

Under a partnership with the Crous, eight municipal senior residences offer 64 one- or two-room flats to students at an affordable rent. In return, each student gives four hours a month to residents, for example through outings, games or help with digital tools.

The Rinck residence on rue Delandine in the 2nd arrondissement is a good example, with 80 senior flats and 41 furnished student studios. A café on site serves weekday lunches, which creates natural opportunities to meet neighbours without any formal obligation.

A new model in the 4th arrondissement

The Maison de la Diversité on rue de Belfort, run by the association Les Audacieux et les Audacieuses with public partners, provides 16 homes for isolated older people, including LGBTI+ seniors, plus one student flat and shared spaces with a garden.

What does renting in Lyon actually cost?

The approved local rent observatory recorded a median of 13.60 euros per square metre across Lyon and Villeurbanne in 2024, rising to 17.50 euros for studios. New tenants paid 14.50 euros on average, more than those already settled in their homes.

Rent control in Lyon and Villeurbanne

Both cities apply rent control, with reference rents set each year by the prefect and published as open data by the Métropole. A homesharing fee is not a standard rent, yet hosts can use those references to check that their request is reasonable.

Comparing your options side by side

The table below compares the three main options for a student moving to Lyon, using figures published by the City and by the local rent observatory. Amounts exclude utilities unless stated, and membership fees vary between charities.

Matching your address to your campus

La Doua in Villeurbanne hosts Lyon 1 sciences and INSA, served by tram T1. Lyon 2 and Lyon 3 sit along the Rhône, the Manufacture des Tabacs lies in the 8th, and the Porte des Alpes campus in Bron is reached by tram T2.

Where older hosts tend to live

Many older residents live in the 6th arrondissement, Vieux Lyon in the 5th and the Croix-Rousse hill. Western suburbs such as Écully, home to Centrale Lyon and emlyon, also have spacious houses with spare rooms.

How to apply, step by step

The steps below cover a standard room-in-a-home match with one of the Lyon charities. If you prefer a studio in a senior residence, contact the Crous instead and mention your interest in the monthly volunteering commitment.

1. Pick the charity whose area matches your campus.
2. Apply with your timetable, internship dates and travel constraints.
3. Take part in the selection interview.
4. Visit the home together with a charity volunteer.
5. Sign the agreement and contract, then pay the fee.
6. Register your address with the CAF of the Rhône and claim housing benefit if eligible.

Pitfalls to watch for

The Lyon metropolitan area is spread out and academic calendars differ between universities and grandes écoles. Most problems come from those practical details rather than from personal conflict between the host and the student.

• Accepting a room in Écully while studying in Bron.
• Mixing up a Crous studio with a room in a private home.
• Forgetting that membership fees are rarely refunded after an early exit.
• Underestimating the monthly volunteering hours in residences.
• Not checking the host's home insurance covers the room.

Can a host in Villeurbanne take part?

Yes. Nothing limits homesharing to the city of Lyon itself, and a home near La Doua is attractive to science and engineering students. Simply check that the chosen charity covers the commune before you apply or register as a host.

Do Lyon charities require a guarantor?

Usually not, because the signed agreement and follow-up visits provide reassurance. If a host still wants one, the Visale guarantee from Action Logement is free for applicants under 30, including many international students.

When do most arrangements end?

Most pairings follow the academic year and end in June or July. Some are renewed for several years, particularly for medical students at Lyon 1, whose long training makes a stable, affordable home especially valuable.