Place Bellecour | TravelDojo

Place Bellecour is Lyon’s principal central square, located on the Presqu’île between the Saône and Rhône rivers and regarded as one of the city’s chief public spaces. It is one of the largest open squares in Europe and is largely pedestrianised.

The square’s central features include a large equestrian statue of Louis XIV and broad open space used for markets, public gatherings and seasonal events. Surrounding streets provide direct access to shopping, transport and the city’s main axes.

Place Bellecour expanded into its current form during the 18th and 19th centuries and has remained a civic center since then, hosting fairs, demonstrations and cultural events.

Geographically the square sits at the heart of Lyon’s Presqu’île, between the Rhône and the Saône, within easy walking distance of Lyon’s Old Town and the city’s main shopping streets.

Scale: One of the largest open squares in Europe, located on Lyon's Presqu'île between the Saône and the Rhône rivers.

What to See #

Equestrian statue of Louis XIV: A large equestrian statue of Louis XIV occupies the central position and is a long-standing visual focal point for the square.

How to Get to Place Bellecour #

Place Bellecour is Lyon’s central square in the Presqu’île and is served directly by Bellecour metro station (Lines A and D). If arriving by train, take the metro from Part-Dieu or Perrache to Bellecour; the square is immediately adjacent to the station exits and is a short walk from most central Lyon locations.

Tips for Visiting Place Bellecour #

Go in the early morning for softer light and far fewer people - the square's scale and the Louis XIV equestrian statue photograph best before the daytime crowds arrive.
Use the Bellecour metro stop (lines A and D) to access the square directly and avoid walking through congested shopping streets when carrying purchases or luggage.
Walk the tree-lined axes toward Fourvière and the Saône from the square to get the classic visual alignment of Lyon's hilltop basilica; many visitors stay on the plaza and miss those framed city views.
Check local event schedules before visiting - Place Bellecour frequently hosts markets, festivals and temporary installations that can change access routes and the atmosphere dramatically.

Best Time to Visit Place Bellecour #

Go between spring and early autumn for warm weather, outdoor life and events in the square.

Spring to early autumn (best)

April-October · About 10-28 °C across the season

Warmer weather and open terraces make the large central plaza lively and pleasant for strolling.

Winter (cool and quieter)

November-March · About 0-8 °C

Colder conditions reduce outdoor activity-fewer tourists and calmer surroundings for photographing architecture.

Weather & Climate near Place Bellecour #

Climate

Place Bellecour's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 27°C. Moderate rainfall (824 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 47 Good

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

41°

Warmest Month

-14°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

4°

Feels Like Cold

4°C

Temperature

1° – 6°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

53 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.0h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 8°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

51 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

60 Good

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

4° – 12°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

54 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

6° – 15°

77%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

High

13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

68 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 20°

76%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

86 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

14.7h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

19°

Feels Like Mild

19°C

Temperature

14° – 24°

70%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

78 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

15.4h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

22°

Feels Like Mild

22°C

Temperature

16° – 27°

63%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

60 mm

Rainfall

2.9 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.8

UV Index

Very High

15.1h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

81 Excellent

Comfort

21°

Feels Like Mild

21°C

Temperature

16° – 27°

63%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

68 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.5

UV Index

High

13.9h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

12° – 22°

69%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

85 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

1.0

UV Index

Moderate

12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 91 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

13°

Feels Like Cool

13°C

Temperature

9° – 16°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

91 mm

Rainfall

2.7 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.5

UV Index

Moderate

10.8h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

53 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

4° – 10°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

2.8 m/s

Wind

Calm

0.2

UV Index

Low

9.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 7°

91%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

54 mm

Rainfall

3.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.6h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Place Bellecour

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Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon

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Opéra de Lyon

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