However much there may be going on in the campus, a Centrale Lyon student's life doesn't stop there!
The number 55 and 3 buses stop at the School 7 days a week, every 15 minutes or so, until about 11 pm. They take you down town (terminus Hôtel de Ville for the n°3, terminus Perrache for the n°55)
Even faster, the n° 55 takes you in 5 minutes from the School to the "Gorge de Loup" station, which gives access to the entire Lyon transport network: bus, metro, tramway and rail. The whole of Lyon is at your doorstep.
The number 4 takes you from the School to the "Vaise station" directly in a few minutes and give access to the metro.
Down the highway and through the "Fourvière" tunnel, you're down town in between 10 and 30 minutes (depending on the traffic). Obviously, there are a number of routes that can get you there whatever the time of day. Ask around: everybody has their own way to go!
Once down town, you can park in any of the numerous carparks (not free!)
Lyon public transport: Transports en Commun Lyonnais (TCL)
Driving directions, maps, traffic on viamichelin.com