It is the most populous arrondissement of Lyon and the second most densely populated after the 1st arrondissement of Lyon.

The 3rd arrondissement was created by the Decree of 24 March 1852 (date of creation of the first five arrondissements).

The text of 17 July 1867 the district has shared in two by creating the 6th arrondissement of Lyon.

Then the 3rd district found its current limits, after it was split again when the 7th arrondissement of Lyon has been established (Text 8 March 1912).

The quarters of the 3rd arrondissement are : Montchat is delimited at the North by the route de Genas, at the East by the Vinatier street and boulevard Pinel, at the south Sud by the Rockefeller Avenue, the place d’Arsonval and the cours Albert Thomas and at the West by the rue Feuillat.