We need to drop one of our travelers off in Lyon but do not want to drive into the city. We will be coming from Beaune on our way to Arles. Does anyone know a convient train stop on the out skirts of Lyon on the east side?
Are they flying out of Lyon or taking a train or just staying a while. The airport is on the east side, but transport to Lyon center is by special street car, maybe Ben will chime in. Staying on the A6/A7 will take you right through central Lyon to make the drop off. There is also a direct TER train every 2 hours from Beaune in 1 hour 45 minutes.
The tram from the airport is quite expensive. My personal suggestion would be to drive slightly further in to the city and drop them at the Meyzieu ZI (zone industrielle) tram stop, which is quite close to the autoroute and has the normal city tram fare.
Along these lines, I see the Metro station Cusset just off the D-383 Periphique Laurent Bonnevay. Exit on Rue 4 Aout 1789, about 200 meters off the highway on the corner of Cours Emile Zola. Return back to the Periphique on Cours Emile Zola about 400 meters.
The Metro A will take you down the center of the Lyon peninsula through Bellecour to Perrache station.
And here it is: http://about-france.com/travel.htm