Major city · France
Saint-Étienne
Give Saint-Étienne one full day from Lyon (45–55 min by TER) for the Cité du Design and the modern art museum; sleep in Lyon unless you are here for a match.
Saint-Étienne is a former coal and arms city in the Massif Central, 60 km southwest of Lyon, that rebuilt itself around design: it is a UNESCO Creative City of Design, and its Museum of Modern Art holds one of France's largest modern collections. Sights are spread between the centre and two outlying museum sites, so a car or the tram matters. Most travellers see it as a day trip from Lyon; football fans come for Ligue 2 matches at a 42,000-seat ground.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), mid-Dec–early Jan
- Airports
- EBU · LYS
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- France and Monaco ↗France has run temporary identity checks at its internal Schengen land borders since 2015; carry a passport or EU/EEA national ID on trains and buses from Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.
- France and Monaco ↗Nights in France and Monaco draw on the same Schengen 90-in-180-day allowance as the rest of the area; Monaco does not reset or pause it.
- France ↗France is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors' fingerprints and photo at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- France ↗TGV (including the low-cost Ouigo) and Intercités night trains need a seat reservation: a rail pass alone does not let you board.
- France ↗Paris, Lyon and other large cities run low-emission zones that require a Crit'Air sticker on cars; check before you drive a hire car or your own car into a city.
- France ↗Carry your passport or national ID card: police can ask for identification, and hotels register foreign guests.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Étienne112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Étienne, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).France-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and Free sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at tabacs; ID is required to register.France-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere unless signed otherwise.France-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Service is included; leave 5–10% in cash for good service.France-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.France-wide
- SafetyCentral Saint-Étienne is fine by day; at night stay on lit streets around Place du Peuple and the Hôtel de Ville…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsParis has free automatic public toilets (sanisettes); elsewhere use cafés (buy a coffee), museums and stations, where some charge €0.50–1 (≈ US$1–2).France-wide
- Emergency numbers112 European emergency (police, fire, ambulance) · 15 ambulance (samu) · 17 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany national museums close on Monday (Orsay, Versailles, Rodin) or Tuesday (Louvre, Pompidou's temporary sites).France-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckEBU Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon (About 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the centre; very few scheduled flights, so check before booking.).EBU Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon (About 6.2 mi (10 km) north of the centre; very few scheduled flights, so check before booking.).
- Getting aroundSTAS runs trams, trolleybuses and buses across the agglomeration; buy a ticket from the driver or a machine and validate it.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café€1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealDinner main course€15–25 (≈ US$18–30)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a shop€4–7 (≈ US$5–9)€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideSTAS tram or bus ride€2 (≈ US$3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (MAMC+, Cité du Design, Mine Museum)€5–9 (≈ US$6–11), some free
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per room€95 (≈ US$120)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per room€85 (≈ US$100)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per room€130 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €55 (≈ US$65) · Mid €95 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EBU Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon (About 10 km (6.2 mi) north of the centre; very few scheduled flights, so check before booking.) · LYS Lyon–Saint-Exupéry (Main gateway: about 1 h 30 min to Saint-Étienne by Rhônexpress plus train, or about 1 h 15 min by road.)EBU Saint-Étienne–Bouthéon (About 6.2 mi (10 km) north of the centre; very few scheduled flights, so check before booking.) · LYS Lyon–Saint-Exupéry (Main gateway: about 1 h 30 min to Saint-Étienne by Rhônexpress plus train, or about 1 h 15 min by road.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid*
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jul (7). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Saint-Étienne: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
STAS runs trams, trolleybuses and buses across the agglomeration; buy a ticket from the driver or a machine and validate it. The T1 and T3 trams link Châteaucreux, the centre and the northern museum sites. Vélivert bike share needs a smartcard. The centre itself is small enough to walk.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Firminy (Le Corbusier site)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
TER train from Châteaucreux or Carnot to Firminy, about 20–25 min, then a walk or short bus
The Saint-Pierre church and the Firminy-Vert housing unit are part of the UNESCO-listed Le Corbusier works; check site hours.
Door to door: About 1 h
TER train from Châteaucreux or Carnot, about 45–55 min
Trains run through the day; the return leg is the easy way to end a Saint-Étienne day.
Pilat Regional Natural Park
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car, about 30–45 min to the main trailheads
Hiking and views over the Loire; public transport to trailheads is thin, so a car helps.
Pérouges
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Train to Meximieux then a taxi or a long walk, or car via the A47/A42
Medieval hill village; easier by car and best combined with Lyon.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centre / Place du Peuple–Hôtel de Ville
Walkable old town, cafés and the Carnot station; best for one night without a car.
Châteaucreux station area
Main station for Lyon and Paris TGV; practical for early departures, quiet at night.
La Terrasse / Geoffroy-Guichard
Match nights only: walk to the stadium and the La Terrasse station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €55–85 (≈ US$65–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- €85–140 (≈ US$100–170) excl. bed
- High
- €140 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × €85 | €85 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × €95 | €190 |
| STAS single tram or bus ticket2 × €2 | €4 |
| STAS day pass2 × €6 | €12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €32 |
| Trip total≈ €177 per person per day, bed included | €353≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in euro; travel to and from Saint-Étienne excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | €1.50–3 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Lunch menu (plat du jour) | €13–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Dinner main course | €15–25 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a shop | €4–7 (≈ US$5–9) / €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| STAS tram or bus ride | €2 (≈ US$3) |
| Museum entry (MAMC+, Cité du Design, Mine Museum) | €5–9 (≈ US$6–11), some free |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | €10–20 (≈ US$12–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Museum of Modern Art and the Mine Museum sit outside the centre: check opening days before you go, and note many French museums close on Mondays or Tuesdays.
- The Mine Museum is largely underground and unheated: bring a jacket.
- Match days around Geoffroy-Guichard fill trams and bars; book a bed early.
- Some budget hotels near the stations are basic; read recent reviews before booking.
Emergency numbers
- European emergency (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance (SAMU)
- 15
- Police
- 17
- Fire
- 18
Pocket card
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Saint-ÉtienneSaint-Étienne
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- European emergency112
- Ambulance (SAMU)15
- Police17
- Fire18
Embassy
No embassies here; the US, UK and most others are in Paris, with consulates in Lyon (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Lyon → Saint-Étienne, TER: about €12–15 (≈ US$14–18), 45–55 min
- Train Saint-Étienne → Paris, TGV: about 2 h 45 min–3 h; fares vary, book ahead
- Taxi across the centre: €10–15 (≈ US$12–18)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo PLEH)
- C'est combien ? — How much is it? (say kom-BYEN)
- Je peux payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où est l'arrêt de tram ? — Where is the tram stop? (oo ay la-RAY duh tram)
Service is included by law in French cafés and restaurants; round up or leave 5–10% for good service.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Saint-Étienne. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (inland heat), mid-Dec–early Jan · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EBU and LYS: last connections field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Place du Peuple and the old town, Châteaucreux, the Cité du Design, and the northern museum sites.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (MAMC+, Cité du Design, Mine Museum, Museum of Art and Industry) and eat pages with last orders.
- Match-day and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialSaint-Étienne tourist office
- officialCity of Saint-Étienne
- officialSaint-Étienne–Bouthéon airport
- officialLyon airports
- officialSTAS (Saint-Étienne public transport)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Saint-Étienne, revision 5269629 (CC BY-SA 4.0)