First day at the Lyon academy, a stack of papers to submit, and an urgent email from the rectorate waiting in an inbox that has never been opened. The academic messaging system is not a gadget: it is the official channel through which convocations, I-Prof notifications, and exchanges with the DSDEN transit. Knowing how to connect and use it daily helps avoid missing information that can sometimes determine an assignment or promotion.
Convergence Portal: the single entry point for Lyon’s academic messaging
You can no longer access Lyon’s webmail by simply typing a URL into a browser without context. The Convergence portal now centralizes messaging, business applications (I-Prof, grade management, administrative files), and educational resources under a single authentication.
See also : How to Easily Access the Academic Messaging System of Dijon for Teachers
Specifically, you go to the Lyon academic portal, then select the tab leading to Convergence. Once authenticated, the messaging appears among the accessible services without needing to enter the password again. This unified portal operation simplifies navigation but confuses users accustomed to direct access via URL.
For those who still prefer quick access, the direct address of the webmail remains functional (webmail.ac-lyon.fr), but it redirects to the same academic authentication page. You can use Lyon’s academic webmail through Convergence, which guarantees access to all associated tools.
Read also : Practical Guide: How to Reset a Malfunctioning Simu Roller Shutter Remote
Academic credentials: NUMEN, login, and default password
Connection often gets stuck at the same point: the credentials. The Lyon academy uses a standardized format. The login generally corresponds to the first letter of the first name followed by the last name (example: pnom for Pierre Nom). This format is common to all digital services of the academy.
The initial password is the NUMEN, this unique identification number assigned to each staff member of the National Education. It appears on the first assignment letter or on the HR documents provided by the rectorate.
Resetting when the NUMEN no longer works
If you have already changed your password during a previous connection and forgotten it, the recovery procedure goes through the academic portal. You click on “Forgot password,” enter your username, and a reset link is sent to the backup email address declared in the profile.
Common problem: many teachers have never provided a backup email address. In this case, you need to contact the DSI of the Lyon academy (by phone or via the online assistance form). Responses vary on processing times, but it’s wise to allow a few business days.
- Login: first letter of the first name + last name, in lowercase, without accents or spaces
- Initial password: NUMEN (to be changed at the first connection for security reasons)
- Assigned email address: [email protected] (the format may vary if a namesake exists)
- In case of prolonged blockage, the DSDEN of the department can also unlock access
Configuring the reception of academic emails on a smartphone or Gmail
Checking webmail only from a browser exposes you to missing urgent messages. Most staff redirect their academic messaging to a personal inbox or configure a mail client on their phone.
Forwarding to Gmail or a personal inbox
From the webmail interface, you access account options, then the “Local account” or “Forwarding” section depending on the version of the interface. You enter the Gmail address (or other) where you want to receive an automatic copy of each incoming message.
Creating a spam filter on the Gmail side is essential: emails from @ac-lyon.fr regularly end up in Google’s spam folder. A simple filter (“From: @ac-lyon.fr” -> “Never send to spam”) solves the problem.
Sending from Gmail with the academic address
To reply from Gmail while displaying your @ac-lyon.fr address as the sender, you add an alias in the Gmail settings (Accounts and Import > Add another email address). The technical settings to fill in are:
- SMTP server: smtps.ac-lyon.fr
- Port: 587
- Secure connection: TLS
- Username: the same academic login (pnom)
- Password: the current webmail password (not the NUMEN if you have changed it)
Gmail then sends a verification email to the academic address. You confirm it from the webmail, and the alias is active. Any reply sent from Gmail will appear with the @ac-lyon.fr address to the recipient.
Security and best practices for the academic mailbox
The academic messaging system carries sensitive data: student results, disciplinary information, exchanges with the inspection. A few concrete reflexes protect the account without complicating daily use.
Changing the NUMEN password at the first connection remains the most neglected measure. The NUMEN appears on paper documents that circulate, and it is sometimes known by colleagues or former HR services. A personal password of at least twelve characters, different from that used on personal accounts, limits risks.
On the storage side, the available space on the Convergence webmail has been significantly increased compared to previous versions. You are no longer required to delete each message after reading. However, regularly emptying the trash and obsolete folders helps avoid reaching the quota without realizing it, which blocks the reception of new messages without notification.
Last often forgotten point: logging out. On a shared workstation in the teachers’ lounge, closing the tab is not enough. The Convergence session remains active until you click “Log out.” A colleague who opens the browser after you then accesses the mailbox, I-Prof, and all related services.
Lyon’s academic webmail is not complex once the first connection is passed. The real difficulty lies upstream, in recovering the credentials and configuring a reliable mobile access. Once these two steps are resolved, the @ac-lyon.fr mailbox becomes a work tool as fluid as a personal messaging system.