Largest City in France: Lyon or Marseille?
Largest city in France 2026: up-to-date figures for Lyon (Rhône)
Lyon: Population and Area
With 525,314 inhabitants (INSEE total population in force on January 1, 2026), Lyon is the 3rd most populous town in France in 2026 and the most populous in the Rhône department, out of 266 communes. It covers 48 km² (1,312th largest area in France, 2nd largest in the department), with a population density of 10,974 inhabitants per km², or 100 times the national average (110 inhabitants/km²), which ranks it 37th in France for density.
Lyon is located in the Rhône department (69), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (formerly Rhône-Alpes), where it ranks 1st by population out of 4,025 communes. It is the most populous town in the Rhône department, which is home to 1,940,015 people over 3,249 km².
See the full ranking of communes in the Rhône department and the regional ranking: largest city in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
Towns of similar size in the Rhône department: Villeurbanne (pop. 164,747), Vénissieux (pop. 65,689), Vaulx-en-Velin (pop. 53,281).
Sources: INSEE, official population figures in force on January 1, 2026 (total population); areas: IGN / Observatoire des territoires; INSEE code 69123. Rankings are calculated across the 34,858 communes of metropolitan and overseas France in our database.
Welcome to the page dedicated to Lyon, the third-largest city in France, located in the Rhône department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (formerly Rhône-Alpes). Lyon is renowned for its rich cultural, architectural and culinary heritage.Contrary to what you may sometimes hear, Lyon is not the second-largest city in France: it ranks 3rd, after Marseille.
The city of Lyon sits on the banks of the Rhône and the Saône, with spectacular views of the surrounding hills. It is known for its picturesque old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and for its famous Festival of Lights, held every year in December.
Lyon is also a major economic center, with a strong presence of large companies in technology, research and industry. The city also has an excellent transportation system, including metro and tram lines, making it an ideal destination for business travelers and tourists alike.
Visitors to Lyon will also enjoy the city's food scene, with its traditional bouchons serving local dishes and its many Michelin-starred restaurants. Art lovers will not be disappointed either, with plenty of museums and art galleries to explore.
Finally, the city of Lyon is an excellent base for exploring the magnificent landscapes of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, including the mountains of the Massif Central and the vineyards of the Rhône Valley.
All in all, Lyon is a dynamic and fascinating city with a unique cultural, historical and culinary wealth. We hope this presentation on plusgrandevilledefrance.com has made you want to visit the 3rd largest city in France, capital of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.