Gerland

Located in Lyon’s 7^th arrondissement along the River Rhône, the district of Gerland spans 700 hectares. Known for its stadium and its world renowned scientific centre, Gerland is already the city’s second biggest business district and is continuing to expand. BARNES Lyon gives you the guided tour of this district, and all the other districts of Lyon. 

The history of the Gerland district

Up until the early 20th century, Gerland was the site of a castle from which the area takes its name. This castle no longer exists, but once stood at what is today 186, rue de Gerland. In 1852, the sector officially became part of Lyon thanks to the annexation of the town Guillotière-les-Brotteaux. 

Gerland was for a long time an industrial district, devoid of housing. Urbanisation took place over successive periods, particularly at the turn of the century thanks to the work of architect and city planner Tony Garnier, whom the Halle Tony Garnier is named after today. This construction was originally designed for the 1914 world’s fair. 

The Gerland stadium subsequently infused life into the neighbourhood as the home of the Olympique Lyonnais football team, now based at the Stade des Lumières. However, it was not until the early 70s that residential housing was built in the area. 

Since the 80s, the Gerland district has constantly changed with the creation of the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, the Berges du Rhône park, two major hotels, and the Cité Scolaire Internationale de Lyon. The district is constantly evolving. 

Gerland: neighbourhood life at the heart of the business district 

The Gerland district provides good connections to the rest of Lyon thanks to the metro line B, the T1 tram line, and various bus routes. The T6 tram line currently under construction will link Debourg to the Hôpitaux Est, via Vénissieux and Bron. 

A lively area of Lyon, Gerland is home to large companies like Sanofi Pasteur, Merial, Episkin and Velan, as well as numerous research labs such as the Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, the WHO and the P4 Jean Mérieux laboratory. 

Although the district is constantly evolving, the various builders and developers behind these changes have devoted particular attention to quality of life for future inhabitants of the area, notably thanks to the creation of numerous green spaces as well as communal gardens, shared terraces and the importance attributed to bikes as a means of transport.

The existing green spaces include Gerland Park, the Berges du Rhône park, and the promenade along the banks of the Rhône. A district where you can really feel at home. 

A number of collaborative initiatives are also springing up, such as La Commune, a former carpentry workshop home to some fifteen start-ups in the restaurant industry. The ideal spot for lunch, dinner or dancing, with a wide range of events. 

One of the district’s most popular spots is La Maison, a huge yet cosy bar and restaurant great for a romantic dinner or family outings as well as corporate seminars.  

The Gerland district also hosts part of the Nuits Sonores festival every year, an electro music festival held in the former Fagor-Brandt appliance factory.

Gerland: new projects

Although the district has undergone profound change in recent years, the process is far from over. Indeed, numerous housing units are currently under construction, not to mention the arrival of the Tony Parker Academy in 2019 that will provide a mini student campus with 400 accommodation units, and the EM Lyon business school set to follow in 2022 at the former Nexans industrial site. According to the borough hall, the development works are scheduled to be completed in 2027. 

Real estate in the Gerland district

Historically, Gerland is a working-class neighbourhood. The old community housing complexes have gradually been demolished to make way for offices and recent high-end residences. The district is modern with new and contemporary apartments equipped with quality amenities and every comfort. Thanks to its location away from Lyon’s city centre, prices in the area are more affordable - depending on the quality of the property - than in the coveted central districts.

Schooling

Public schools 

• Aristide Briand nursery and primary school
• Ecole du Rhône nursery school
• Marcel Pagnol nursery and primary school 
• Claudius Berthelier nursery and primary school
• Les Girondins primary school
• Cité Scolaire Internationale school complex
• Francois Auguste Ravier primary school
• Gabriel Rosset lower secondary school
• Louise Labé upper secondary school

Private schools: 

• Le Petit Monde international school
• Notre Dame des Anges school

Transportation

Tram T1, Metro B, Bus 60 / C22 / Zi6