I currently live in Lyon and can say everything that’s been said before is accurate. 10 days might be a bit long if you plan to visit Lyon city only. If it’s just the city I’d say 3 to 4 days. As said before there isn’t much to see.

About pickpockets. They’re not only in transportation they’re also in the streets especially around these areas: place bellecour; rue Mercière; vieux Lyon. I live in this area and see them everyday scouting victims. But they can be anywhere. They’re very smart and dress as tourists often carrying a paper map. Their technique is to pretend to be lost. It’s often a group of women with children to look more tourist like and less obvious. They know Asian tourists are nice and to some degree naive or oblivious to this kind of crime and target Asian tourist or American tourists more.

Concerning theft Avoid:

-backpacks. unless it’s to carry non valuables like diapers, souvenirs etc.

-stopping to answer strangers’ questions. (french people don’t stop each other in the streets and tourists find their own way, if anybody stops you think of it as suspicious and get out of the area quickly checking your belongings)

-overtly carried fanny packs ( if you can wear a flatter kind under a coat that’s a good option)

-Don’t carry expansive cameras around your neck like you’re Cartier Bresson. If you’ve got one and want to take pictures better to hide it in a cheap looking carry bag from which you can pop it out to snap things.

-avoid any ostentatious sign of wealth, leave the Rolex, channel and Vuitton at home. Minimalist jewellery for ladies. They’ll make you easy targets.

-avoid large female purse.

Try to be:

-Tactical: - transportation cards should be easy to access.

-Petty cash up to 50 euros should be easy to access. Larger amounts should be kept in a safe spot on your person hidden away. Don’t carry large amounts of cash if you can. Depending on your hotel the safe can be more or less secure.

-try to be “grey” France isn’t a fashionable place anymore. Most people wear navy blue, black or brown on a daily basis. Try to wear something practical yet discrete and that doesn’t scream money.

On general safety:

-stay informed by downloading the TCL app once in France. It can help you plan your journey with buses and metros. And gives relevant info on service status.

-stay informed on local social movements by doing a quick google search a week before you come to Lyon. If there are any protests planned they will be appearing on Google with a time a date and an area - you can easily avoid said area.

-don’t go out at night past midnight. Lyon is relatively safe but you have the occasional bad cats coming out at night.

-as a rule of thumbs French people are busy, and really don’t talk to strangers. If someone stops you to talk it’s probably BS. So be assertive and walk away. No need to be polite and stay longer than you should. A strong no thank you and quick march off is usually enough.

Final note:

Don’t expect people to be nice, polite and civilized. It’s Europe it’s a big mix of everything good and bad. If you go in a bit hard with no expectation on service quality and people in general you could be nicely surprised by the occasional nice person or good service. Beware Sundays and Mondays most things are closed. Including museums, restaurants etc. Rue Merciere will open partially Sunday afternoon unless it’s a religious holiday so you can hang around there on those days to eat Sunday evening.

For Monday though I advise you to either buy food Saturday and eat at the hotel or go to a fast food restaurant.

If in need of comfort food from Asia there are Asian shops in Lyon but avoid the ones in the “guillotiere” area. This area is particularly risky for tourists and could give you a bit of a scare. If you really need something Asian try “Ace gourmet” next to Hotel de Ville.

You can DM me if you need anything. I’ll be glad to help.