Bellecour Square (Place Bellecour)

Located on the Presqu'île—the narrow peninsula situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône Rivers—the Bellecour Square’s history dates back to the 18th century. Formerly occupied during the French Revolution and later renamed for Napoleon, it has gone through various guises in its history. Today, the square is a popular meeting point and hub of activity. It also joins several of the city’s major roads and is within walking distance of many historical landmarks and luxury shopping streets.

Given its status as one of Lyon’s major landmarks, the Bellecour Square is a stop on numerous sightseeing itineraries, from biking and Segway tours to walking tours. It can also be explored independently.

• There are several public artworks in the square, including an equestrian statue of Louis XIV and a sculpture of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and his little prince.
• The Bellecour Square is flanked by numerous cafés and art galleries, and a tourist information center is also located on-site.
• Given its flat, paved surface, Bellecour Square is accessible for wheelchair users.
• The Grande Roue de Lyon—a large Ferris wheel—is installed in the Bellecour Square during the winter months.

Bellecour Square is easily accessible by public transportation: take metro lines A and D to Bellecour station. It can also be reached by bike and on foot; though taxis can ferry you to the area, they cannot drive in the square itself.

The Bellecour Square is always open and usually bustling. During the day, you can admire views of landmarks such as the hilltop Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière; at night, the square is lit up and great for photos. The Bellecour Square is occasionally the site of local protests; it’s best to avoid the area when particularly crowded.

Given its location on the historical Presqu'île, the Bellecour Square is just a quick distance from many top attractions, including the Place des Jacobins, Palais de la Bourse, and Hôtel de Ville.