You type "student residence Les Antonins" into Google and you also come across Les Tamaris, right next door. Two addresses on the same street, two very different concepts. Here's what you need to know before making your decision.
What Les Antonins Residence Really Is
Les Antonins is a student residence managed by Crous de Lyon. In practice: 404 studios ranging from 17 to 19 m², all equipped with the bare minimum (toilet, shower, sink, hotplate, fridge). Located at 28-30-32 rue des Antonins, in Villeurbanne, a stone's throw from la Doua campus, INSA Lyon, and Université Lyon 1.
What makes Les Antonins worth it:
- The rent. Around 425 € / month utilities included (water, electricity, internet, heating). This is the Crous 2025–2026 rate, and it's hard to beat anywhere in Villeurbanne.
- Shared facilities: on-site laundry room, computer room, study room, music room, TV room.
- Proximity: the university canteen and a small grocery store are less than five minutes on foot.
- Access to public transport to reach the centre of Lyon.
The downside: the studios are small, the decor is functional (read: austere), and allocation goes through the Dossier Social Étudiant (DSE). Les Antonins is primarily reserved for grant-holding students. If you don't hold a grant, your chances of securing a place are slim.
How to apply? You must submit your DSE between March and May on messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr. No DSE, no Crous place — it's as simple as that.
What Les Tamaris Residence Is
Les Tamaris is at 36 rue des Antonins — yes, the same street, just a few numbers down. But that's where the similarity ends.
Les Tamaris is a small private residence with just 14 units (studios and 1-bedrooms). It is listed by Lyon Campus, the student portal of the Métropole de Lyon, which gives it a degree of official visibility.
Its strengths:
- Small size = less anonymity, more peace and quiet.
- Studios with a fitted kitchenette.
- Less than 5 minutes on foot from Parc de la Tête d'Or.
- Accessible without going through Crous: no grant required.
The downside: rents are generally higher than at Crous, based on 2026 student listings. And availability is rare given the limited number of units.
The Real Differences, Straight to the Point
| Criteria | Les Antonins (Crous) | Les Tamaris (private) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of units | 404 | 14 |
| Indicative rent | ~425 €/month utilities included | Higher, variable |
| Access | DSE + income conditions | Open |
| Size | 17 to 19 m² | Studios / 1-bedrooms |
| Shared facilities | Yes (laundry, common rooms) | Yes (washer/dryer) |
| Priority for grant holders | Yes | No |
The picture is fairly clear: if you hold a grant and submit your DSE on time, go for Les Antonins. The value for money is unbeatable. If you don't hold a grant or if you apply late, Les Tamaris could be an option — but with only 14 units, don't make it your Plan A.
What If Neither Is Available?
That's the most likely scenario, let's be honest. Crous places are scarce, and Les Tamaris regularly shows "no availability." The student residence Les Antonins receives hundreds of applications every year for its 404 studios.
In that case, the private rental market in Villeurbanne and around la Doua is your best option. There are independent furnished units — studios and 1-bedrooms — in the neighbourhood, often better equipped than a Crous studio and without the income restrictions. A 1-bedroom on your own or in a flatshare also means more space for the same budget split between tenants.
To weigh up the pros and cons of each type of accommodation, take a look at this article: The advantages of a student residence in Lyon.
What Localyon Offers Steps Away from Campus
Localyon manages 25 furnished studios and 1-bedrooms directly in La Doua / Villeurbanne. No Crous waiting list, no income conditions, and apartments designed with students in mind: internet connection, full furnishings, flexible leases.
If you're looking for something larger than a 17 m² Crous studio, take a look at this furnished apartment 2-room - 1-bedroom - 35m² in Villeurbanne, for example. It's a serious alternative if you want to avoid the lottery of student residences.
To Sum Up
- Les Antonins: the best price in the area, but only through Crous and primarily for grant holders. Submit your DSE before May.
- Les Tamaris: a small private residence, more accessible but almost impossible to find vacant.
- The private market: fewer restrictions, more choice — well worth comparing seriously if you don't hold a grant or if you're applying after the deadline.
Whatever your situation, start your search early. In Villeurbanne, good apartments go fast — whether through Crous or on the private market.
Written by
Localyon
Localyon — student housing management in Villeurbanne, near the La Doua campus. Family-managed since 1991.