Lyon Administration

Lyon is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region, the prefecture of the Rhône departement, and the capital of 14 cantons, covering 1 commune, and with a total population of 445,452 (1999).

Lyon, similarly to Marseille and Paris is divided into 9 municipal arrondissements (often translated into English as borough), referred to by number. The arrondissements were originally created in 1852 when a number of surrounding communes (Croix-Rousse, Guillotière, and Vaise) were annexed to Lyon. Within each arrondissement, there are a number of recognisable “quartiers” or neighborhoods:
1st arrondissement: Pentes de la Croix-Rousse, Les Terreaux, Saint-Vincent
2nd arrondissement: Cordeliers, Bellecour, Ainay, Perrache et Confluent
3rd arrondissement: La Part-Dieu, La Villette, Montchat, La Guillotière
4th arrondissement: La Croix-Rousse, Serin
5th arrondissement: Saint-Jean- Saint-Paul - Saint-Georges (Vieux Lyon), Saint-Just, Fourvière, Le Point-du-Jour, Menival, Champvert, La Sarra, Saint-irenee
6th arrondissement: Les Brotteaux, Bellecombe, Tete d’Or
7th arrondissement: La Guillotière, Gerland, La Mouche
8th arrondissement: Monplaisir, Le Bachut, Mermoz, Les etats-Unis, Le Grand Trou, Moulin a Vent, Laënnec
9th arrondissement: Vaise, La Duchère, Saint-Rambert-l’ile-Barbe