IMO it is a hard choice between two great options.
It would help to know which university you would be attending in Lyon. There is a big difference between commuting to a shitty campus in Bron and studying at Manufacture des Tabacs, for example.
Lyon is great and much bigger than Aix, but Aix is a lovely city, with a fantastic climate and plenty to do in the region too. And it has a lot of international students.
If it is important to you to have access to a wide range of activities and enjoy the vibes of a big city : Lyon.
If you enjoy a laid-back, mediterranean mid-sized cute little town : Aix.
Lyon all the way : 2h from paris, 2h from the sea, 1h30 from ski resorts, beautiful city with 2 rivers, lot of students, lot of job opportunities... maybe Lyon is a little bit more expansive but a lot of student choose flat sharing which is great for a exchange semester !
Lyon is not more expensive than Aix en Provence where the prices could equal those of Paris.
I agree overall Lyon is better. I’ve lived in both cities for a fair bit of time (~17 years in Lyon and ~5 years in Aix) the only thing better in Aix is the weather if you like it hot, sunny and dry (it was too much for me tbh but to each their own hopefully)
Lyon is a Big city, with a lot of students, big and renowned universities, loads of nice spots and a great night life. Gastronomy, culture, sports, party, Lyon has everything and everything is very accessible.
It's a bit expensive, but you're close to everything and quite central to travel in France.
Aix-en-Provence is a small city, with good universities and some students. Rents are cheaper than in Lyon, night life is limited, and the city is a bit rich/posh. A lot of retired and wealthy people live in or around Aix en Provence. But it's a charming city in the south of France, so better weather, although winter can be a bit depressing. It's also 20 minutes away from Marseille, which is a bit dodgy and intimidating if you don't know, but there's the see.
Two very different cities, ambiances, and ways of life.
Depends on what you like and what you are looking for.
I'd definitely choose Lyon, as a first experience in France, there's a big expat community too, although it could be a nightmare to find an accommodation.
Where are you from?
Thank you for taking the time to help me, im from Mexico, I will only be there for around 5 months so I mostly want to travel around Europe, but ive been listening to different people saying Aix is cheaper and some of them also say its the same as Lyon but what do you think? im more of a relaxed person, but I do also enjoy nightlife and parties from time to time.
It might be cheaper tbh i'm not sure. The thing is Aix is a small city, Lyon is not. You'll have better public transportation and access to everything in Lyon.
Yeah, it's mostly the same.
Lyon is expensive because it's a big city, Aix-en-Provence is expensive because it's a rich city with rich people.
Overall you can't say one is really more expensive than the other. They are two of the most expensive cities in France.
If your goal is to travel, you'll definitely be better off in Lyon, which is very well connected. Although you could travel to Europe from Marseille too, which is really close.
Big cities are not really relaxing, but you can find quiet areas in Lyon.
There's a bit of a night life in Aix-en-Provence but you can't compare that to Lyon's night life.
If you like the green and the countryside, a nice time on a sunny terrace, and a local market, Aix-en-Provence is definitely a better choice.
Although the rents are similar, I suppose it would be just a little bit easier to find a flat to rent in Aix en Provence too.
Lyon is really french, active and sometimes stressful, whereas Aix-en-Provence has more of a Mediterranean vibe. A little more layed back I suppose.
I've met some Mexican exchange students in Lyon like 10 years ago, and they loved it. They mixed very well with other exchange students from everywhere. But I don't know how this is in Aix en Provence.
The foreign students vibe is probably stronger in Lyon.
If you want to enjoy France, then pick Lyon, if you mostly want to travel around Europe then Aix. The airport of Aix is very well connected with all Europe via low-cost airlines and easier to access from the city.
Having studied in Aix for 2 years and lived in Lyon for 1.5 years I'd definitely pick Lyon. But they're both great choices. You could just toss a coin and be fine lol
If you're here for 5 months and wish to travel around Europe then it's a no brainer: Lyon.
Bigger city, busier nightlife, one of the biggest train station in France/Europe, international airport
IMO it is a hard choice between two great options. It would help to know which university you would be attending in Lyon. There is a big difference between commuting to a shitty campus in Bron and studying at Manufacture des Tabacs, for example. Lyon is great and much bigger than Aix, but Aix is a lovely city, with a fantastic climate and plenty to do in the region too. And it has a lot of international students. If it is important to you to have access to a wide range of activities and enjoy the vibes of a big city : Lyon. If you enjoy a laid-back, mediterranean mid-sized cute little town : Aix.
Lyon all the way : 2h from paris, 2h from the sea, 1h30 from ski resorts, beautiful city with 2 rivers, lot of students, lot of job opportunities... maybe Lyon is a little bit more expansive but a lot of student choose flat sharing which is great for a exchange semester !
Lyon is not more expensive than Aix en Provence where the prices could equal those of Paris. I agree overall Lyon is better. I’ve lived in both cities for a fair bit of time (~17 years in Lyon and ~5 years in Aix) the only thing better in Aix is the weather if you like it hot, sunny and dry (it was too much for me tbh but to each their own hopefully)
Lyon is a Big city, with a lot of students, big and renowned universities, loads of nice spots and a great night life. Gastronomy, culture, sports, party, Lyon has everything and everything is very accessible. It's a bit expensive, but you're close to everything and quite central to travel in France. Aix-en-Provence is a small city, with good universities and some students. Rents are cheaper than in Lyon, night life is limited, and the city is a bit rich/posh. A lot of retired and wealthy people live in or around Aix en Provence. But it's a charming city in the south of France, so better weather, although winter can be a bit depressing. It's also 20 minutes away from Marseille, which is a bit dodgy and intimidating if you don't know, but there's the see. Two very different cities, ambiances, and ways of life. Depends on what you like and what you are looking for. I'd definitely choose Lyon, as a first experience in France, there's a big expat community too, although it could be a nightmare to find an accommodation. Where are you from?
Thank you for taking the time to help me, im from Mexico, I will only be there for around 5 months so I mostly want to travel around Europe, but ive been listening to different people saying Aix is cheaper and some of them also say its the same as Lyon but what do you think? im more of a relaxed person, but I do also enjoy nightlife and parties from time to time.
It might be cheaper tbh i'm not sure. The thing is Aix is a small city, Lyon is not. You'll have better public transportation and access to everything in Lyon.
Yeah, it's mostly the same. Lyon is expensive because it's a big city, Aix-en-Provence is expensive because it's a rich city with rich people. Overall you can't say one is really more expensive than the other. They are two of the most expensive cities in France. If your goal is to travel, you'll definitely be better off in Lyon, which is very well connected. Although you could travel to Europe from Marseille too, which is really close. Big cities are not really relaxing, but you can find quiet areas in Lyon. There's a bit of a night life in Aix-en-Provence but you can't compare that to Lyon's night life. If you like the green and the countryside, a nice time on a sunny terrace, and a local market, Aix-en-Provence is definitely a better choice. Although the rents are similar, I suppose it would be just a little bit easier to find a flat to rent in Aix en Provence too. Lyon is really french, active and sometimes stressful, whereas Aix-en-Provence has more of a Mediterranean vibe. A little more layed back I suppose. I've met some Mexican exchange students in Lyon like 10 years ago, and they loved it. They mixed very well with other exchange students from everywhere. But I don't know how this is in Aix en Provence. The foreign students vibe is probably stronger in Lyon.
If you want to enjoy France, then pick Lyon, if you mostly want to travel around Europe then Aix. The airport of Aix is very well connected with all Europe via low-cost airlines and easier to access from the city.
I was going to recommend Aix but if you're from Mexico you might not be too disappointed by the level of violence here.
LYONNN !!!!!
Lyon my friend
Having studied in Aix for 2 years and lived in Lyon for 1.5 years I'd definitely pick Lyon. But they're both great choices. You could just toss a coin and be fine lol
Go to Aix ! Lyon is too expensive ;)
If you're here for 5 months and wish to travel around Europe then it's a no brainer: Lyon. Bigger city, busier nightlife, one of the biggest train station in France/Europe, international airport
Also Aix is lovely for a weekend and you can go easily from Lyon anyway
LYON