Life in Monts d’Or

Located to the Northwest of Lyon, before earning a reputation as a much sought-after place to live, Monts d’Or was a small mountain made of limestone widely used in the past for quarries.

Demarcated by the River Saône to the East, the Monts d'Or sector stretches over six miles and extends all the way to Saint-Germain-au-Mont-d’Or to the North and to Champagne-au-Mont-d’Or to the South. To the West are the towns of Limonest and Chasselay.

History of Monts d’Or

Mont d'Or and its towns have a rich past when it comes to the quarrying and stone-carving work that are still visible today in a number of tunnels and stone huts.

Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the origin of the name Monts d’Or. For example, the nature of the mountain rock: the limestone with its golden appearance or the Celtic word “Dor”, meaning water, in reference to an ancient civilization. Another hypothesis simply evokes the richness of the site associated with gold.

Originally used in singular form, Mont d'Or, the word gradually evolved to the plural form used today. The singular is, however, still used in the names of its towns: Champagne-au-Mont-d'or, Poleymieux-au-Mont-d'Or, Curis-au-Mont-d'Or, etc.

The towns of Monts d’Or

The city of Lyon, situated just a few miles away, is easily accessible from the towns of Monts d’Or. Monts d’Or offers a peaceful living environment with large expanses: plains, forests, vineyards, all less than 30 minutes away from Lyon. The twelve towns in this area each have their own specific characteristics.

Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d'Or

A town of 6,400 inhabitants, Saint-Didier-au-Mont-d’Or is known as “the link between the city and the countryside.” Life in Saint-Didier gives you access to a setting that lies right between the calm of the countryside and the energy of a city full of plans. It is one of the most popular towns of Monts d’Or.

Saint-Didier has much to offer in terms of housing as well with the most stunning properties in the Monts d'Or area. Barnes Lyon has a portfolio of exceptional villas to view via this link: houses in Saint-Didier.

In addition to its great cultural wealth, Saint-Fortunat, a quarry workers’ village attached to Saint-Didier, is home to tastefully-decorated old barns renovated into living spaces that showcase old world charm combined with the comforts of modern living.

A number of public and private schools provide all levels of schooling for your children along with childcare centers for tiny tots.

• La Lyre childcare center
• La Doriane and Le Jardin d’Enfants
• Bourg public school: (first year of preschool to 2^nd grade)
• St Fortunat public school: (3^rd grade, 4^th grade and 5^th grade)
• Saint-François – Saint Charles private school
• Jean Perrin public middle school
• Jean Perrin public high school
• Fromente private middle school
• SANDAR (private general education and agrotechnology high school)

It is very well connected by public transport with quick access to Lyon.

• Line 22: Gare de Vaise / Saint-Didier– Rocade des Monts d’Or / Saint Fortunat
• Line 23: Gare de Vaise / Saint-Didier– Rocade des Monts d’Or
• Line 71: Gare de Vaise / Ecole de Collonges 
• Line 84: Gare de Vaise / Neuville 

Limonest

A town of close to 3,500 inhabitants, Limonest is located on the hilltops of the Western side of Monts d'Or and offers an exceptional living environment.

Ideal for families with its schools from kindergarten to high school, Limonest has something for your children no matter how old they are. Limonest also has several graduate schools for higher studies.

• “La Galipette” childcare center
• "Antoine Godard” public grade school
• Saint Martin private school

The town is well connected by several TCL bus routes to Lyon.

• Line 21 (Gare de Vaise / Limonest cimetière / Chasselay)
• Line 3 (Gorge de Loup – Dardilly Le Jubin / Limonest Le Puy d’Or)
• Line 6 (Gare de Vaise – Techlid Le Paisy)
• Line 61: passing through Puy d’Or (Gare de Vaise – Saint Germain Gare)

It also offers quick access to the A6 highway and to the future connection to the A89 heading Eastbound.

A great place for strolls and to discover the surrounding heritage, Limonest is also the starting point for the famous Limonest - Mont Verdun hillclimb: 1.2 miles of high-speed curve racing!

As for housing, the town was built-up gradually, offering a mix of older constructions and more contemporary houses. Barnes Lyon, real estate expert in Monts d'Or, has a a wide selection of properties available via this link: exceptional properties in Limonest.

Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or

With its 5,800 inhabitants, Champagne-au-Mont-d’Or is a friendly town where a convivial atmosphere reigns supreme. Situated between the city and the countryside, Champagne is ideally located on the edge of Lyon’s 9^th arrondissement just 10 minutes from the center.

The town is well connected by the TCL public transport, with the introduction of the Park-and-Ride to combine car and bus/metro.

• Line 21: Gare de Vaise / Limonest cimetière / Chasselay
• Line 61: Gare de Vaise / Lissieu / Saint Germain au Mont d’Or
• Line 66: Saint Just / Champagne écoles
• Line C14: Jean Macé / Les Sources
• Line S11: Gare de Vaise / Le Château Duchère
• Line S15: Ecully Le Trouillat / Les Sources
• Line 89: Gare de Vaise / Portes de Lyon

Champagne has numerous kindergarten and grade school, as well as middle and high schools for your children. It also has the advantage of its proximity to Lyon’s 9^th arrondissement with its many high schools.

• “Les Pastourelles” childcare center
• Dominique Vincent school group
• Saint Joseph school (kindergarten and grade school)
• Jean-Philippe Rameau middle school
• Jean Perrin high school
• La Martinière Duchère high school

Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or is the perfect choice for city dwellers seeking greenery.

Barnes Lyon offers you a wide range of luxury properties in the area at this link: houses for sale in Champagne-au-Mont-d'Or.

Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or

Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or is one of the most popular towns in the Monts d’Or are. With nearly 5,500 inhabitants, the town encourages the values of sharing. Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or has a rich past with numerous remains such as carved or sculpted stones, crosses and unusual objects.

Saint-Cyr is connected to the TCL public transport network with easy access from Lyon. The town also offers schooling for your children for all levels from nursery to middle school and high school.

Find our properties in the town via this link: houses for sale in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d’Or.

Other towns in the Monts d’Or area

The other towns of Monts d’Or include: Albigny-sur-Saône, Chasselay, Collonges-au-Mont-d'Or, Couzon-au-Mont-d'Or, Curis-au-Mont-d'Or, Poleymieux-au-Mont-d'Or, Saint-Germain-au-Mont-d'Or, Saint-Romain-au-Mont-d'Or.

Discover our selection of houses at this link: luxury properties in Monts d’Or

Monts d'Or: a lifestyle!

As mentioned above, their exceptional environment gives the towns of Monts d'Or an incredible lifestyle quality while being just a few miles away from Lyon. With good stores close by, access to excellent schools and easy travel options thanks to public transport, the Monts d'Or area is one of the most sought-after areas around Lyon.

In addition to the practical aspects, Monts D’Or is teeming with incredible and unlikely places. Discover the ruins of the abandoned quarry tunnels on a family walk or the many small scattered castles, behold the waterfalls and cross the beautiful plains, vineyards and forests.

Demographic data for the Monts d'Or area, grouping the 12 towns of Monts d'Or, is given below.