I have my reservations about Lyon. Not that it’s a bad city, but the trans scene is a bit slow here.
There are limited places to connect with the community, so you might feel lost at times.
That’s why I’ve done the legwork by creating this list of the best ways to meet trans people in Lyon.
But before I start, here’s some insight into how I collected the information.
Table of Contents
Methodology for Finding Trans Friendly Spaces in Lyon
At WorldTransGuides, we’re committed to providing accurate and reliable information. Here’s how we do it:
- Personal Experience – I always try to visit the city myself to get a feel for the culture and inclusivity. This involves checking out different nightspots and connecting with the local trans community online.
- Local Insights – We also reach out to trans individuals living in Barcelona through online channels to get their honest feedback about specific places and their overall experiences.
- Online Discussions – We look at what people are saying on websites like Reddit and Quora to see what they think about trans-friendly spaces in the city. This helps us validate the information we receive and ensure that the venues we recommend are based on real-life experiences.
- Constant Updates – Creating these guides is just one part of our job. The other is keeping them up-to-date. We’re always on the lookout for new information to add and venues that have closed down to remove.
List of TG Friendly Venues in Lyon
Lyon, with a population of 500,000, has a lively LGBT+ community.
This is clear from its annual Pride Parade on the second Saturday of June, which attracts over 20,000 people.
While the energy isn’t as high outside Pride Month, there are still plenty of ways to connect with the community. I’ll share how next.
1. Bars and Clubs
To get a taste of Lyon’s lively queer scene, head to one of the city’s famous LGBT+ bars or clubs.
The Presqu’île, between the Le Rhône and La Saône rivers, is where you’ll find the bulk of the city’s queer crowd.
And to be more specific, hang out around Place des Terreaux and Cordeliers.
This area has a great mix of queer bars and clubs, so you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your night out.
Here are some of my recommendations.
XS Bar at 19 Rue Claudia
The bar is small so it fills up quickly. I’d suggest going at 7 pm so you can find a spot, otherwise you’ll have to wait in a long queue outside.
But the wait is still worth it because the crowd is very LGBTQ+ centered and you’re likely to meet a bunch of trans people.
Reviews of Other People about XS Bar
“Wow, I loved this place! Was totally packed with people on Friday night. Really friendly crowd, very diverse. Staff here were also very pleasant and made me feel at home.”
L Bar at 19 Rue du Garet
This is mainly a lesbian bar but they welcome everyone, even cis men. And during my visit, I met many trans women here so it definitely worth checking out.
Reviews of Other People about L Bar
“Bar with an incredible and ultra-safe atmosphere, the manager is very nice and the food is very good I recommend”
Queen Club at 3 Rue Terme
The best LGBT+ spot in Lyon to meet up with friends every weekend and enjoy drag shows. You can also go solo and meet some cool queer people.
Reviews of Other People about Queen Club
Mattéo Bourdin on Google Maps:
“I have been going to Queen for over two years now, and I have never been disappointed!
The best LGBT place in Lyon to meet up with friends every weekend with the latest pop music of the year!”
La Chapelle Café at 8 Quai des Célestins
Aside from the great ambiance, music, and diverse crowd this café also has a large outdoor seating area. You can enjoy there amazing view of Fourvière Hill from there.
The usual clientele is between 20 to 30 years old and they host fun Latin rainbow nights and student nights. But you can often meet queer people even on regular days.
Reviews of Other People about La Chapelle Café
“Great atmosphere. Great crew! Beautiful smiley people for everyone! I went with some friends and it was a delight. The cocktails are good and they also have cocktails with beers that are interesting!”
2. Community Centers and Organizations
You can also visit the official Lyon’s LGBT Community Center at 19 Rue des Capucins.
It organizes trans and queer events and provides support to the community.
You can visit on Tuesdays and Fridays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy cheap drinks, like Coke for €2 and beer for €2.50. With no obligation to drink, you’ll still meet cool trans people to talk to.
3. Online Groups and Pages
Another way to meet trans people is through online groups. You can start by joining Facebook communities like Le Bon Queer.
While it’s mostly a group for buying and selling, it has more than 3.7K members so there are a lot of people to talk to.
Another one is Chez Queer for finding queer housemates. You can perhaps also use it to temporarily find a transgender roommate if you’re visiting the city.
4. Other LGBT+ Spaces
There are many other queer spaces in Lyon, but if you’re in the city in March then don’t forget to attend its LGBTQIA+ Film Festival.
It’s a 10 day event that presents films and concerts related to queerness, and gender.
The festival attracts more than 10,000 people and needless to say that a lot of them are trans.
And on regular days, I like visiting Librairie à soi.e. It’s a bookshop that only sells books written by women or queer authors, so you’re likely to bump into transgender people here.
What It’s Like to Be Transgender in Lyon
Lyon isn’t particularly bad for trans people, but your entertainment options are somewhat limited.
There are only a few LGBT+ centered spots, so connecting with other trans people can be challenging.
Regarding transphobia, it’s similar to other cities in France. You might go weeks without any issues, or encounter jerks frequently.
It largely depends on where you are, sticking to queer-friendly areas like The Presqu’île can make a big difference.
Wrapping Up: Enjoy Meeting Trans in Lyon
If you want to have a good time in Lyon, don’t set your expectations too high.
Connecting with the trans community can be challenging due to the lack of dedicated spaces.
But if you’re in the city during the LGBT+ film festival or the Pride Parade, you’ll have an awesome time.
Outside of those events, try visiting the places I’ve recommended. With a bit of effort, you will meet some cool trans people!
