Place Bellecour Plaza

Address: Place Bellecour, 69002 Lyon, France

Hours: Public square - open daily

Admission: Free

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.

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.

• 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.