
You have just been appointed to the Lyon academy and you are asked to check your professional email. The problem is that no one has explained where to go or what to type. The webmail address, the format of the username, the default password: all of this remains unclear for many staff members, even after several years in their position. This guide details each step to access the academic webmail and, above all, to secure this access over time.
Securing and optimizing access to the Convergence webmail on multiple devices
The Lyon academy’s webmail is based on the Convergence platform. This name refers to the online interface that allows you to read, send, and organize your professional messages from any browser. Even before you log in, one reflex should become automatic: check the URL in the navigation bar before each login.
Read also : How to Easily View Sent Subscription Requests on Instagram
Recent guides published on academic websites remind us that the webmail portal serves as a first line of defense against leaks of sensitive data. An address that does not exactly start with https://webmail.ac-lyon.fr/ should alert you. Phishing attempts often mimic the appearance of the portal, but the URL always differs by a character or an unusual subdomain.
If you use multiple devices, logging in via the browser remains the simplest method. Convergence adapts to the screen size. For smoother access on Android, the academy provides a configuration manual detailing the incoming and outgoing server settings.
You may also like : How to Effectively Compare the Benefits of SG CCUES Before and After Retirement
If you want to delve deeper into the login procedure, a comprehensive guide on the academic webmail of the Lyon academy covers all common scenarios.
On smartphones, manual configuration requires entering the SMTP server (smtps.ac-lyon.fr, port 587, TLS connection). The username remains the same as that of the webmail: the initial of the first name followed by the last name, without spaces or accents.

Webmail ac-lyon login credentials: how to find and understand them
You may have already noticed that your academic username resembles an abbreviation of your name? This makes sense: it follows a fixed format. The first letter of your first name is attached to your last name. For example, for Marie Dupont, the username will be mdupont.
Some special cases deserve attention:
- Compound names add a hyphen. Jean-Pierre Martin becomes jpmartin, but the full email address will be [email protected].
- Namesakes are assigned a number. If another Maurice Ravel exists in the directory, the second will have the username mravel2.
- If you are unsure about your exact username, Convergence includes a company directory that allows you to search for a contact by their common name, without knowing their exact address.
The default password corresponds to your NUMEN, in uppercase. This code appears on documents sent by your rectorate or personnel division. If you have lost it, the academy’s single window (04-72-80-64-88) can unlock it for you.
Change the password at the first login
Keeping the NUMEN as your password poses a real risk. This code circulates on paper documents, sometimes shared during administrative meetings. As soon as you log in for the first time, go to Options, then Change password. Enter the old one, choose a new one of at least twelve characters mixing letters, numbers, and symbols, confirm, and then click on Save preferences.
A strong password also protects Arena, i-Prof, and Colibris, since these services share the same academic email credentials.
Unique identifier and Arena portal: what the webmail opens up in terms of services
Many staff members are unaware that their webmail credentials provide access to much more than just an inbox. The Arena portal brings together various administrative e-services: career management via i-Prof, requests on Colibris, consultation of circulars.
The email identifier acts as a unique access key to this digital ecosystem. This is why securing the password is not just a matter of comfort, but of protecting sensitive personal data (digital pay slips, assignment notices, evaluations).

Be careful not to confuse two distinct inboxes. Your professional email ([email protected]) is used for regular exchanges with colleagues, administration, and partners. The i-Prof email, accessible from the portal, contains career and assignment correspondence. The two inboxes do not synchronize with each other. Remember to check i-Prof separately, even if you have activated a forwarding to your webmail.
Automatic forwarding to a personal email: the correct configuration
Do you prefer to centralize your messages in Gmail or Outlook? Automatic forwarding can be set up in just a few clicks from Convergence.
- Log in to webmail.ac-lyon.fr with your usual credentials.
- Click on Options (at the bottom left), then on Forwarding.
- Enter the destination address (your Gmail, for example).
- Check “Enable automatic forwarding” and uncheck “Keep a copy of the message” to avoid saturating the academic inbox.
- Confirm. Future messages will arrive directly in your personal email.
One point of caution: forwarded emails sometimes end up in the spam folder of Gmail. Check it regularly during the first few weeks and mark academic messages as safe to train the filter.
Configure sending from Gmail with the ac-lyon address
Gmail also allows you to send messages as [email protected]. In the settings, under Accounts and Import, add the academic address. The SMTP server to enter is smtps.ac-lyon.fr, port 587, TLS connection. Your academic username and password serve as authentication. A validation email will be sent to your ac-lyon inbox to confirm the addition.
This configuration allows you to reply to a professional message without leaving your Gmail interface, while displaying your official address as the sender. Your correspondents will only see the @ac-lyon.fr address, which maintains the professional framework.
The academic email remains a daily tool for staff in the National Education system within the Lyon academy. Taking ten minutes to secure your password and set up reliable forwarding can prevent weeks of missed messages, especially during periods of movement or back-to-school.