It's very easy and convenient to get around Lyon so don't worry about staying in the old town, it's much cheaper and better with a family to get a small apartment with a kitchenette so you can cook your own meals. We stayed in the 7th arrondissement and the metro and trams were right outside the door! My husband is disabled so it was very important for us to be able to get around easily, as mentioned above, forget cars, it can take ages to get over the bridges and it's expensive to park anywhere.

If during rush hours, you can take the tube, the way is easy. Tube is connected to the Lyon Part Dieu train station. Take the line B direction Oullins, then change at station Saxe-Gambetta to reach line D direction Gare de Vaise. Get off at Saint Jean station: You're in Vieux Lyon. And at this station, you can take the opportunity to take the old cable car (funiculaire) direction Fourvière to the beautiful vue from this famous hill here, and walk down to Saint Jean by a nice garden.