Lyon Population 2026
Lyon has a population of 520,774, making it the #3 biggest city in 🇫🇷 France, located in Rhône-Alpes. Roughly 0.8% of France's population lives here. It is about 4.1× smaller than Paris, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
520,774
Rank in France
#3
Coordinates
45.75°N, 4.85°E
~173 m elevation · Europe/Paris
Distance to capital (Paris)
393 km
244 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Rhône-Alpes
| City | Population | Rank in France |
|---|---|---|
| Saint-Étienne | 176,280 | #17 |
| Grenoble | 158,552 | #21 |
| Clermont-Ferrand | 147,865 | #23 |
| Villeurbanne | 131,445 | #31 |
| Valence | 63,864 | #73 |
| Chambéry | 61,640 | #80 |
| Vénissieux | 57,584 | #92 |
| Annecy | 49,232 | #126 |
Cities near Lyon
- Villeurbanne131,445 people · ~3 km away
- Caluire-et-Cuire42,763 people · ~5 km away
- Vénissieux57,584 people · ~6 km away
- Saint-Priest41,641 people · ~9 km away
- Vienne32,293 people · ~25 km away
- Saint-Chamond38,014 people · ~40 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Lyon?
Lyon has a population of 520,774 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #3 biggest city in France.
What region is Lyon in?
Lyon is located in Rhône-Alpes, France.
Is Lyon the capital of France?
No, the capital of France is Paris, about 393 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.