Saint-Étienne, France: Your 5-Day Local Adventure

Get big experiences with a small budget in Saint-Étienne, France.

21 June 2023

Saint-Étienne on a budget can be an affordable French adventure. Cheap accommodation can be found at the Hostellerie du Forez, the city’s great museums and galleries offer free entry, and budget-friendly eateries serve hearty regional dishes. Explore the city’s industrial history with a trip to the Cité du Design and enjoy the breathtaking views atop the Mont Pilat.

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Travel plan

Getting latest place information
Day 1

Getting Acquainted

  • Check-in at the budget-friendly Hotel Furania 3.8
    10 photos

    Hotel Furania

    3.8 (139)

    18 Rue de la Résistance, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Lodging,Point of interest

    Colorful hotel offering unpretentious rooms with free Wi-Fi, plus a workroom & a lobby lounge.

    hotelfurania.com

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    , located in the heart of Saint-Étienne
  • Head to the Cité du Design 4.1
    10 photos

    City of design

    4.1 (398)

    3 Rue Javelin Pagnon, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Store,Point of interest

    citedudesign.com

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    , a former factory turned innovative design center
  • Walk around the Place Jean Jaurès and admire its beautiful fountain
  • Have a slice of pizza at the popular Chez Bada 4.7
    10 photos

    Chez dada resto

    4.7 (141)

    42 Rue du Vernay, 42100 Saint-Étienne, France

    Restaurant,Food

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    , a cozy pizzeria loved by locals
  • End the day with a drink at Le Galaxie 5
    10 photos

    GALAXIE

    5 (23)

    ZI les Chaux, 42450 Sury-le-Comtal, France

    Store,Point of interest

    galaxie-pro.fr

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    , a trendy bar with a retro vibe
Day 2

Exploring the Culture

  • Visit the Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain 4.2
    10 photos

    Musée d'art moderne et contemporain

    4.2 (1058)

    Rue Fernand Léger, 42270 Saint-Priest-en-Jarez, France

    Museum,Point of interest

    Museum of modern art focused on 20th-century & contemporary era, with permanent & temporary shows.

    mamc.saint-etienne.fr

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    to discover works by famous artists such as Picasso and Kandinsky
  • Take a stroll through the lively Rue des Martyrs de Vingré and the nearby Jacquard Market 3.6
    10 photos

    Place Jacquard Saint Etienne

    3.6 (691)

    7 Pl. Jacquard, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Point of interest,Establishment

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  • Grab a bite at Le XX 4.2
    10 photos

    City Lofthotel Saint-Étienne

    4.2 (273)

    15 Rue Gambetta, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Lodging,Point of interest

    Sleek apartments offering kitchenettes & flat-screen TVs, plus a trendy guest lounge.

    cityloftsaintetienne.com

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    , a charming eatery with a focus on fresh, local ingredients
  • Attend a concert or a show at the historic Opéra-Théâtre de Saint-Étienne 4.5
    10 photos

    Opéra de Saint-Étienne

    4.5 (498)

    jardin Des Plantes, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Point of interest,Establishment

    opera.saint-etienne.fr

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  • Take a nightcap at Le Pax 4.4
    10 photos

    Le Pax

    4.4 (156)

    27 Rue Elisée Reclus, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Point of interest,Establishment

    lepax.fr

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    , a cozy wine bar with a selection of natural and organic wines
Day 3

Outdoor Adventures

  • Go on a hike to the stunning Rochetaillée Castle 4.3
    10 photos

    Vestiges du Château de Rochetaillée

    4.3 (153)

    42100 Saint-Étienne, France

    Point of interest,Establishment

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    , located on a hill overlooking Saint-Étienne
  • Visit the Parc de l'Europe 4.2
    10 photos

    Parc de l'Europe

    4.2 (2460)

    42100 Saint-Étienne, France

    Park,Tourist attraction

    Landscaped recreation area with walking paths & flower beds, plus playgrounds & a kiddie train.

    saint-etiennetourisme.com

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    , a vast green park with a pond, a playground, and a mini-zoo
  • Have lunch at La Mamma 4.5
    7 photos

    La Maman Saint-Étienne

    4.5 (40)

    2 Cr Victor Hugo, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Restaurant,Food

    lamaman.fr

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    , a family-run Italian restaurant with a lovely terrace
  • Rent a bike and explore the city's bike-friendly streets and alleys
  • End the day with a picnic at the Jardin des Plantes 4.3
    10 photos

    Botanical Garden

    4.3 (45)

    100 Bd des Mineurs, 42100 Saint-Étienne, France

    Park,Point of interest

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    , a lovely botanic garden with over 700 species of plants
Day 4

Local Life

  • Start the day with a coffee and a pastry at the charming Café Fauvette 4.9
    10 photos

    Café du vieux Saint-Étienne

    4.9 (44)

    2 Rue du Théatre, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Restaurant,Food

    instagram.com

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  • Visit the Saint-Étienne Tourism Office 4.5
    10 photos

    Office de Tourisme de Saint-Etienne Métropole

    4.5 (249)

    16 Av. de la Libération, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Travel agency,Point of interest

    saint-etienne-hors-cadre.fr

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    for insider tips on the city's hidden gems
  • Walk around the lively neighborhood of Tarentaize
    0 photos

    Tarentaize - Beaubrun - Séverine

    Tarentaize - Beaubrun - Séverine, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Neighborhood,Political

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    and visit the antique shops and art galleries
  • Have lunch at La Verrière 4
    10 photos

    LA VERRIERE Fauriel. Espace réceptif

    4 (7)

    Rue Pierre et Dominique Ponchardier, 42100 Saint-Étienne, France

    Point of interest,Establishment

    saint-etienne-verriere.com

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    , a modern brasserie with a chic industrial design
  • Spend the afternoon at the Musée de la Mine 4.5
    10 photos

    Couriot - Musée de la Mine

    4.5 (2170)

    3 Boul. Maréchal Franchet d'Esperey, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Museum,Point of interest

    Living museum, built around a historic mine shaft, featuring an 8-acre park & picnic areas.

    musee-mine.saint-etienne.fr

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    , a fascinating museum dedicated to the history of coal mining in the region
  • Check out the live music scene at Thunderbird Lounge 4.7
    10 photos

    Thunderbird Lounge

    4.7 (189) • $$

    8 Rue Denis Escoffier, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Bar,Point of interest

    thunderbird42.wixsite.com

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    , a popular bar with a rock 'n' roll vibe
Day 5

Day Trip to Lyon

  • Take the train to Lyon 4.8
    10 photos

    Lyon French Tech

    4.8 (37)

    2 Av. Tony Garnier, 69007 Lyon, France

    Point of interest,Establishment

    lafrenchtech-stl.com

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    and explore the city's UNESCO-listed Old Town 4.7
    10 photos

    Old And New Street Sandwich & Smash Burger

    4.7 (130)

    62 Rue du Onze Novembre, 42100 Saint-Étienne, France

    Meal takeaway,Restaurant

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    , with its charming streets and courtyards
  • Visit the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière 4.7
    10 photos

    La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière

    4.7 (26838)

    8 Pl. de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon, France

    Tourist attraction,Church

    19th-century basilica with 4 octagonal towers, a religious art museum & regular Catholic services.

    fourviere.org

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    , a stunning church overlooking the city
  • Have lunch at Le Bistrot de l'Ecole des Plantes 4
    10 photos

    Le Bistrot de Paris

    4 (239)

    7 Pl. Jean Jaurès, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Restaurant,Food

    lebistrotdeparis.com

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    , a vegetarian bistro with fresh and creative dishes
  • Take a stroll along the banks of the Rhône and the Saône rivers
  • End the day with a glass of wine at Les Caves de la Croix-Rousse 4.4
    1 photos

    Les Caves Vivaraises

    4.4 (8)

    14 Bd Jules Janin, 42000 Saint-Étienne, France

    Liquor store,Point of interest

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    , a cozy wine bar with a large selection of wines by the glass.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Saint-Étienne by plane is to fly to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport and then take a train or bus to Saint-Étienne. From the airport, take the Rhônexpress tram to Lyon Part-Dieu train station where you can catch a train to Saint-Étienne. Alternatively, take the Navette Aéroport bus to Lyon Perrache bus station where you can then take a bus to Saint-Étienne.

Car

The best way to get to Saint-Étienne by car is to take the A72 motorway from Lyon, which takes approximately 45 minutes. Other major cities such as Grenoble and Clermont-Ferrand are also connected by motorway to Saint-Étienne.

Train

Saint-Étienne has good train links with cities across France. The best way to get there by train is to catch a direct train from Paris Gare de Lyon, which takes approximately two hours. Other cities such as Marseille and Bordeaux also have direct train links to Saint-Étienne.

Boat

Unfortunately, Saint-Étienne is not accessible by boat as it is located inland and does not have a river or sea port.

Bus

Saint-Étienne is well-connected by bus with cities across France. The best way to get there by bus is to catch a bus from Lyon Perrache bus station, which takes approximately 1 hour. There are also bus services from other major cities such as Paris, Marseille and Bordeaux.

Destination

Saint-Étienne

Welcome to a city where the baguette is as sacred as the Mona Lisa and the wine flows like the River Loire. Saint-Étienne is the perfect destination for those who want to experience French culture without breaking the bank (or their diets).

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Number of days

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

More travel plans

3 Days of Fun in Saint-Étienne, France

A trip to Saint-Étienne, France as a tourist promises a mix of modern and historic experiences. Visitors can experience the architectural marvels of La Cité du Design and Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain, delve into the town's industrial history through a visit to the Mine Museum, and enjoy nature walks in the Pilat Regional Nature Park. The city is also famous for its cuisine, with a wide range of dining options offering specialties like charcuterie, cheeses and wines.

Exploring Saint-Étienne: A Family Adventure on a Budget

Saint-Étienne, France offers a wonderful destination for a family-friendly trip. Known for its vibrant culture and rich history, visitors can explore the Musée de la Mine to learn about the city's industrial past or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Parc de l'Europe. Additionally, the Cité du Design provides an interactive experience for kids and adults alike, making Saint-Étienne an ideal destination for a memorable family vacation.

Budget Fun in Saint-Étienne: A 4-Day Adventure!

A trip to Saint-Étienne, France on a limited budget would involve exploring the city's rich industrial history, enjoying local cuisine at affordable restaurants, and visiting free attractions such as the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Accommodation options include budget hotels and hostels, while transportation can be easily accessed through the city's tram and bus network.

Saint-Étienne: A Day of French Culture & Charm

Saint-Étienne offers a blend of modern and traditional French culture. Visitors can explore the unique architecture of the Cité du Design, wander through the lush landscapes of Parc Naturel Régional du Pilat, and sample delicious local cuisine at one of the many restaurants and cafes. With its laid-back atmosphere and artistic charm, Saint-Étienne is a destination worth exploring for any tourist.