Lyon Welcome -(AVF-International)
Lyon Welcome -(AVF-International)
« L’Accueil International » is the international section of AVF Lyon-Rhône whose main purpose is to assist foreigners moving to Lyon for professional reasons and French returning from abroad to adapt to their new way of life in Lyon.
An international team of volunteers – both foreigners and French returning from abroad – are there to welcome, inform and suggest various activities which hopefully will enable those moving to Lyon to quickly establish new friends and relationships.
“Acueil International” holds two weekly drop-ins to which newcomers are welcome :
COME AND MEET US :
Every Tuesday evening at aperitif time from 19.00-21.00
Every Thursday morning at coffee time from 10.30-12.30
5, Place de la Baleine 69005 LYON (quartier Vieux Lyon) Vieux Lyon district
To know more...
- Tell us more about AVF LYON-RHONE International ?
« L’Accueil International » is the international section of AVF Lyon-Rhône whose main purpose is to assist foreigners moving to Lyon for professional reasons and French returning from abroad to adapt to their new way of life in Lyon.
An international team of volunteers – both foreigners and French returning from abroad – are there to welcome, inform and suggest various activities. Monthly activities, such as outings, parties, conversation in different languages are organised every month.
Getting together twice a week in our premises Place de la Baleine enable new arrivals to quickly establish new friends and relationships.
- Are you mostly active in Lyon ?
Yes.
- What services can you offer to businesses and business travellers ?
We endeavour to make AVF known to the Human Resources Department or the person responsible for looking after foreign employees of large businesses in Lyon and surrounding area.
We give talks in Lyon’s International schools at the beginning of the school year to present our activities and support women who often feel lonely in their new city.
We also keep in touch with the many Consulates in Lyon.
- What are the problems and difficulties of expatriate families when they arrive in Lyon ? finding accommodation ?
>Of course, the main problems are settling in, finding accommodation and schools but once these are sorted out, the lack of friends and relationships is the next difficulty.
This is especially true of women who often have given up work to follow their husbands and now find themselves at home all day; often they do not speak French and they have to deal with domestic issues on their own.
To help women settle in more easily, we organise weekly coffee mornings and also evening drinks so the husbands can participate, in our premises.
Very quickly, through the schools and our organisation, new arrivals meet other people, often from their home country, and feel they now have a support network.
- What can help families arriving in Lyon from abroad to settle ?
Welcoming them, listening to them, helping and sharing experiences, which are all part of our goals.
- How many people who are relocating do you welcome over a year ?
We welcome around 70 families every year.
- What does Lyon and its region have to offer compared to major other cities for people who wish to settle, invest or start a company in Lyon ?
Lyon offers numerous advantages ; it’s a pleasant city on a human scale where life is good. Its geographic location, economic dynamism and numerous cultural activities are major attractions.
A lot is done by administration to help newcomers to adapt and integrate into their new city.
- What is it like to live in Lyon ?
Lyon is a pleasant and lively city. It offers many different districts and localities, a rich history to discover, and now the development of the banks of the river Rhône and the Confluent area and more !
Easier to get around than a large city like Paris, less stressful …. In any case, a city more and more open towards the world.
- What advice do you have for future expatriates or travellers who want to settle in Lyon ?
Of course, to visit our website AVF LYON Rhone, where they will find a lot of information and most of all, to contact us or come and see us. Our links with other organisations (such as relocation agencies) enable us to direct them to structures where they will find advice and a warm welcome.
-What keywords in French and in English would you wish to appear on Google first page ?
Accueil Lyon For us in the International Section: Welcome International Lyon: these three words encapsulate our role.
For AVF LYON RHONE generally: Welcome Lyon.
-What information is available on your website ?
Details on our opening hours, our teams, and our numerous activities.
-Who should people contact in AVF
You can contact Sophie Dord at Expat Agency Lyon, who will forward all requests.
contact@lyon-expat.com
