Holiday apartment in Villeurbanne: Discover culture and nature

Holiday apartment in Villeurbanne: urban history, culture and nature

Villeurbanne combines a distinctive urban history, diverse culture and a large natural area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Villeurbanne, you will find a range of possibilities for your stay here: historic architecture in the Gratte-Ciel district, exhibitions and research at Le Rize, theatre and cinema, as well as paths through Parc de la Feyssine. This allows you to plan your stay around cultural interests, active days or shared discoveries.

Gratte-Ciel and historic cityscapes

The Gratte-Ciel district was inaugurated in 1934 and has been awarded the “Patrimoine du XXe siècle” designation. The Nouveau Centre was part of a broader urban policy intended to transform an industrial suburb into a modern city. The Sainte-Athanase church offers an older historical reference: it is considered Villeurbanne’s oldest monument, and its oldest parts date from the 13th century.

The Institut d’art contemporain also brings together art and architectural history. It is one of the first contemporary art centres in France and is housed in a former Jules Ferry-type school built in the 1890s. There are short visits, family tours and tours in French Sign Language for different interests.

Culture between archives, theatre and cinema

Le Rize is a cultural and research institution that opened in February 2008. Covering 2,600 m², it brings together a media library, the municipal archives and cultural and educational spaces. This makes it particularly interesting if you would like to discover urban history not only through historic buildings, but also through collections, educational outreach and cultural activities.

The Théâtre National Populaire was designated a Centre dramatique national in 1963. In 1972, the name and emblem of the Théâtre National Populaire were transferred to the Théâtre de la Cité in Villeurbanne. The theatre can be reached by Metro line A via the Gratte-Ciel stop and by tram line T6 via the Hôtel de Ville – TNP stop. Every year, the Le Zola cinema hosts several festivals, meetings and themed weeks. At the same time, Le Zola is the last surviving of around twenty cinemas that operated in Villeurbanne during the interwar period.

Cycle path and natural area at Parc de la Feyssine

The ViaRhôna, a cycle route from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, runs through Parc de la Feyssine. The park covers 41 hectares and forms a large natural area. There are 8 km of paths and a fitness trail for walks, cycling stages and exercise. In this way, Villeurbanne’s green side complements its rich cultural history with a clear focus on active days outdoors.

More destinations for your planning

More places for planning your trip: Yzeron, Anse, Corbas, Saint-Priest, Cours-La-Ville, Blacé, Ranchal and Messimy.

For the overarching travel overview: Rhône.