Anyone ever been in Lyon during the film festival?

I just looked at the hotel I stayed in this past Aurumn . Some dates are available , but it would depend on the the exact dates . Look here and see if it fits for you . - https://all.accor.com/hotel/2057/index.en.shtml?utm_campaign=seo+maps&utm_medium=seo+maps&utm_source=google+Maps

Thanks...I just priced that...$550 a night...holy cow. I'm in reassess mode.

I did get a price of around $250 a night from a place that's mentioned on the RS site a lot…Hotel de Artistes...but it was nonrefundable with no option for a rate that can be modified or canceled.

And it's not just hotel rates that are worrying me. I'm curious as to exactly how crowded city gets during the festival and if that means perhaps I should try to see Lyon on another trip.

Valerie,

It's too bad about hotel rates, but as for crowds -- I lived in Lyon for several years and, as a resident, the only way I knew there was a film festival going on was from the posters around town. There was no discernible difference in how crowded things were (other than, I suppose, cinemas and restaurants and bars located near them).

Nothing like the Fête des Lumières in early December, which is a major event.

You might cast your net a bit wider. I just checked for hotels in Villeurbanne, a large suburb that makes up most of the east side of the Lyon metro area, and I was finding hotels available during the festival (I picked the 17th to the 22nd of October as a straw man) for only a bit more than 100€ per night (Hôtel des Congrès, for example). Perhaps you could stay a bit out of the central city and rely on the Métro or buses to get into central Lyon.

Quick update -- I just checked and it looked as if Hôtel des Artistes is available during that period (at this time). It was giving me a rate of 730€ for 5 nights, or 146€ per night. This is a very centrally-located hotel just a block or two from Place Bellecour, and I've stayed there numerous times while in Lyon for shopping or appointments.

Thank you for that reply! The hotel you priced is one that I have priced as well. It’s quoting me 1300 Euros for my 5 night stay and wants payment now and it’s non-refundable.

My specific nights are September 27th and departing on October 2nd.

Maybe I’ve missed something - because those dates are actually just before the film festival - and yet I’m running into problems.

I’ll look outside the downtown core - but we really really prefer to stay very local so I’m hesitant.

I just checked your dates at the best airbnb we’ve ever stayed. It’s already booked. Good luck.

Thanks for checking! I’m curious about something else now. Is it possible this booking issue is being caused by another event? The rugby World Cup is playing a match there on the 27th of September. I can see the OL stadium there holds 60,000. Maybe that’s causing the price spike??