Lyon is the city where, at the end of the 19th century, brothers Auguste and Louis Lumière brothers invented their cinematograph, the device which created cinema as we know it today. Visitors to the city may be inspired to see a film given that they are in the home of cinema. Alternatively, cinema may seem like a nice option after a long day’s sightseeing or if a summer storm has forced one indoors!
Lyon presently has seventeen cinemas throughout the city. For the purposes of this guide, only those commercial cinemas open to the public which regularly screen films in the original English language version will be profiled.
Films in English
French cinemas screen both the original and dubbed French-language versions of American or British films. In some larger multiplexes, both versions of the same film might be screened simultaneously in different rooms. A common problem of the visiting cinema-goer in France, therefore, is how to know whether a particular projection is in English or French.
On the cinema listing look out for the letters VO and VF which usually appear in brackets after the title of the movie. VO stands for version originale, i.e. the original version of the film ( or sometimes VOSTF for version originale sous-titrée en français, original version with French subtitles. This additional term is superfluous however, as virtually all VO screenings feature French subtitles. The same format applies to other languages; i.e. films originally in German or Italian for example, may be dubbed into French or subtitled in French, but not in English.
Please note that a listing for a film that does not feature VO or VF after it usually indicates that it is a French movie and is shown in French without subtitles.
Foreign film titles
An unusual quirk of cinema marketing in France is that the titles of foreign movies can vary greatly. Some films will be referred to by the original, English name. Others may be translated literally into French. The third genre of name is somewhat more confusing however; it is often the case that Hollywood movie titles, instead of being translated into French, are given easier English substitutes to make them more accessible to French audiences. A quick google search or check of the names of the principal actors should make sure you are going to the right film!
Price
Prices may of course vary depending on the cinema theatre in question, but prices for evening screenings generally range from €9.00 – €12.00. Please note that glasses for 3D films are sold in addition to the entry price.
Lyon’s Cinemas
Pathé Lyon – Bellecour
10 Screens. Situated on Rue de la République, just beside Place Bellecour, the Pathé Lyon – Bellecour is a very pleasant and comfortable multiplex. International films are shown in both the original version (VO) and in French (VF).
Address: 79, rue de la République 69002 Lyon
Transport: Place Bellecour metro station (line A).
UGC Ciné Cité Internationale
14 Screens. Situated on Rue de la République, just beside Place Bellecour, the Pathé Lyon – Bellecour is a very pleasant and comfortable multiplex. International films are shown in both the original version (VO) and in French (VF).
Address: Cité internationale, 80, quai Charles-de-Gaulle 69006 Lyon
Transport: Buses C1, C4 and C5 all stop at the Musée d’Art Contemporain, the cinema is found just behind the Museum itself.
Pathé Lyon – Vaise
14 Screens. Situated in the Vaise neighbourhood, the Pathé Lyon – Vaise is a modern and comfortable multiplex. International films are shown in both the original version (VO) and in French (VF).
Address: 43, rue des Docks 69009 Lyon
Transport: Buses 31 and 43 stop at Laborde. The closest metro station is Gare de Vaise, which is just over 1km from the Pathé cinema.
UGC Ciné Cité Confluence
14 Screens. The largest and most modern cinema in Lyon, the UGC Ciné Cité Confluence is housed within the Confluence shopping complex. International films are shown in both the original version (VO) and in French (VF).
Address: 112, cours Charlemagne 69002 Lyon
Transport: Tramway (line T1), bus lines S1 and 63 all stop at Hôtel de Région.
UGC Astoria
5 Screens. The UGC Astoria is a very comfortable and traditional cinema. Other than for children’s films, screenings are in original version (VO) only.
Address: 31, cours Vitton 69006 Lyon
Transport: The Massena metro station (line) A is right on Astoria’s doorstep.
Cinéma Comoedia
9 Screens. The Comoedia largely screens independent and arthouse pictures. Screenings are in their original version (VO). There is a pleasant bar/café where cinema goers can gather before the film.
Address: 13, avenue Berthelot 69007 Lyon
Transport: Tramway T2 stops at Centre Berthelot which is only 65m from the Comoedia’s door. Jean Macé (line B) is the closest metro station.
Le Cinéma Opéra
1 Screen. A small and traditional cinema. Screenings are in original version (VO) only.
Address: 6, rue Joseph-Serlin 69001 Lyon
Transport: Hotel de Ville-Louis Pradel metro station (line A) is only 100m from Le Cinéma Opéra.
Le Cinéma
1 Screen. A small and traditional cinema which favours independent pictures. Screenings are in original version (VO) only.
Address: 18, impasse Saint-Polycarpe 69001 Lyon
Transport: Hotel de Ville-Louis Pradel metro station (line A) is only 260m from Le Cinéma.
Institut Lumière
L’Institut Lumière owns operates four cinemas in Lyon, all of which tend to showcase arthouse and international films in their original versions;
- Institut Lumière 25, rue du Premier-Film 69008 Lyon
– 3 screens
– Transport: Monplaisir-Lumière metro station (line D)
- La Fourmi – 68 Rue Pierre Corneille, 69003 Lyon
– 3 screens
– Transport: The closest metro station, 10 minutes walk away, is Foch (line A). Tramway T1 stops at Saxe-Préfecture, which is 6 minutes walk from the cinema. Buses C4 and C3 stop at Saxe-Lafayette, Bus 27 stops at Edgar Quinet.
- CNP Terreaux – 40 Rue du Président Édouard Herriot, 69001 Lyon
– 4 screens
– Transport: Hotel de Ville-Louis Pradel metro station (line A)
- CNP Bellecour – 12 Rue de la Barre, 69002 Lyon
– 3 screens- Transport: Bellecour metro station (lines A and D)
