Le Cube Orange, Lyon

Notable Building in Lyon

Le Cube Orange from across the river, Lyon

Le Cube Orange is one of the top sights in Lyon if you're curious about cutting-edge architecture and urban renewal. Standing on the Quai Rambaud in the Confluence district, this vivid cube of perforated orange metal looks like it's been carved open by a giant circular bite. The signature “hole” frames views of the Saône, flooding the interior with light and turning the building into a sculptural object as much as a functional space. Up close, the façade's patterns and colour shift with the weather, making it a constantly changing backdrop for photos.

Designed by Jakob + MacFarlane, the Cube Orange symbolises Lyon's move from industrial docks to a creative, sustainable waterfront. Originally conceived as an office building, it now houses showrooms, creative workspaces, and a rooftop restaurant with a terrace overlooking the river and neighbouring contemporary buildings. It's often visited on walking-tours of Lyon that head down to the Confluence area, and even if you never step inside, just standing under that huge circular opening and looking out over the water is a memorable moment.

History and Significance of Le Cube Orange
Things to See and Do in the Cube Orange
How to Get to the Cube Orange
Practical Tips on Visiting the Cube Orange
Where to Stay close to the Cube Orange
Is the Cube Orange Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Cube Orange
Nearby Attractions to the Cube Orange

History and Significance of Le Cube Orange

Le Cube Orange rose from what was once a working dock and warehouse zone at the southern tip of the Presqu'île, where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. As part of the wider Confluence redevelopment project, the city invited bold architectural statements that would signal a new era for the district. Jakob + MacFarlane's design answered that call with a strong, simple idea: a bright orange cube punctured by a large circular void, echoing both industrial forms and the fluid movement of water.

The building’s perforated skin isn’t just for show. The patterned metal façade helps filter light, control solar gain, and give occupants framed views of the river and city, reflecting the district’s focus on sustainable design. The circular opening-almost like an inverted porthole-cuts deep into the cube, forming terraces and shaded spaces that blur the line between inside and outside. Seen from the river or across the quay, it becomes a visual anchor within a cluster of contemporary structures.

Over time, Le Cube Orange has helped define the identity of Confluence. Alongside neighbours like the Cube Vert and the Musée des Confluences, it shows that Lyon is as committed to contemporary design as it is to Renaissance streets and hilltop basilicas. For locals, it marks the transformation of a once-forgotten dockland; for visitors, it's a tangible reminder that the city's story is still being written in steel, glass, and colour.

Things to See and Do in the Cube Orange

The first thing to do is simply approach the building slowly from along the quai. From a distance, it appears as a solid block of colour; as you get closer, you start to see the perforations in the metal skin and the depth of the circular void. Stand underneath the opening and look up to appreciate how dramatically it slices through the cube, creating dramatic angles, shadows, and glimpses of balconies and interior spaces.

Inside, one of the main draws is the RBC Design Center, where contemporary furniture and design objects are displayed in a setting that perfectly matches their aesthetic. Browsing here feels like stepping into a magazine spread, with the architecture and furniture playing off each other. It’s a good place to pick up inspiration, even if you’re not planning to buy anything, and it adds an extra layer of meaning to the building’s role as a design hub.

If you have time, head up to the rooftop restaurant and terrace, where you can enjoy a drink or meal with panoramic views over the Saône and the Confluence district. Watching boats glide past, cranes in the distance, and other bold buildings along Quai Rambaud, you get a sense of how much this former industrial zone has changed. This spot is one of the best places to see in Le Cube Orange if you want to combine architecture, river views, and a relaxed break in one go.

How to Get to the Cube Orange

If you're arriving from abroad, you'll likely land at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which has regular flights from across Europe and beyond; from there, the Rhônexpress tram brings you into central Lyon, where you can connect to trams or buses heading south towards the Confluence district and Quai Rambaud. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.

From within Lyon, the easiest option is usually to take tram line T1 towards Debourg and get off at stops serving Confluence, then walk along the waterfront towards Quai Rambaud and Le Cube Orange; you can also reach the area from Lyon-Perrache by a short tram or bus ride, or even a pleasant walk through the redeveloped docks.You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.

If you're travelling by car, follow signs to the Confluence district and look for parking in nearby car parks or shopping complexes, then continue on foot along the riverfront to reach Le Cube Orange.If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Cube Orange

Suggested tips: Plan your visit as part of a wider Confluence walk so you can see Le Cube Orange alongside other contemporary buildings and the Musée des Confluences.
Best time to visit: Late afternoon and early evening light shows off the orange façade beautifully, and the rooftop terrace is especially atmospheric around sunset.
Entrance fee:
Opening hours: Not open to the public
Official website: [display https://www.lyon-confluence.fr]
How long to spend: Allow 30-60 minutes to see the building from outside, browse the design showroom, and take photos; longer if you’re staying for a meal or drink on the rooftop.
Accessibility: The area around Le Cube Orange is flat and paved, with lifts inside the building; it's generally accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, though individual venues may vary.
Facilities: Nearby you’ll find restaurants, cafés, public toilets in shopping complexes, bike paths, and tram stops, making it easy to combine a visit with other activities in Confluence.
Photography tip: Shoot from across the quai to capture the full cube and circular opening; then move underneath the void to play with angles, shadows, and framing of the river beyond.
Guided tours: Some architecture-focused tours of Lyon include Le Cube Orange as a key stop, offering more detail about its design and the wider Confluence development.
Nearby food options: In addition to the rooftop restaurant, the surrounding district has plenty of riverside bars and eateries, from casual terraces to more polished spots with waterfront views.

Where to Stay close to the Cube Orange

For a stay right in the heart of the Confluence district, Novotel Lyon Confluence is an excellent option. Located just a short walk along the river from Le Cube Orange, it puts you close to modern architecture, shops, cinemas, and easy tram links back to the Presqu'île and Vieux Lyon.

If you’re drawn to creative, community-focused spaces, MOB Hotel Lyon Confluence sits very close to Le Cube Orange on the same riverside axis. With its relaxed vibe, terraces, and design-conscious interiors, it matches the contemporary feel of the district and makes it easy to explore the waterfront on foot or by bike.

For a base slightly further north but still convenient for Confluence, ibis Lyon Centre Perrache near Perrache station works well. From there, you can catch a quick tram or enjoy a riverside walk down to the Cube Orange, while also having straightforward access to the Presqu'île and Vieux Lyon.

Is the Cube Orange Worth Visiting?

Le Cube Orange is definitely worth visiting if you're interested in architecture, design, or seeing a different side of Lyon beyond its historic centre. It offers a bold visual contrast to Vieux Lyon and Fourvière, showcasing how the city has reimagined its former industrial docks as a contemporary, creative district. Even a short detour to stand under the famous circular opening, look out at the river, and wander along the quay can give you a fresh perspective on how Lyon continues to evolve.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (30)

Orange Cube sits at 42 Quai Rambaud in Lyon’s redeveloped Confluence district and is a striking orange, cube-shaped modern building that draws photographers and architecture enthusiasts; visitors note there’s little to do inside but it’s worth seeing for its bold exterior and for walking around the nearby new residential area with galleries, a cultural center and shopping.

Jana Grosu

5 months ago

"I dont like modern art, this architecture imitates the french cheese with holes, but modern art will never have that impression like old cathedralesand old historic buildings...."

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Daniel Wu

3 years ago

"Apart from the outside of the building for photos. There’s not a lot to do, just to note. Good walking around this redeveloped area as you walktowards the end of the confluence...."

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Bob Daniels

8 months ago

"It's a cube and it's orange!"

FAQs for Visiting Cube Orange

Le Cube Orange stands on Quai Rambaud in the Confluence district, at the southern end of the Presqu’île, along the Saône waterfront.

No ticket is needed to see the building from outside; interior access depends on individual businesses and the rooftop restaurant’s opening times.

Yes, the rooftop restaurant is open to the public, but it’s wise to check hours or book ahead, especially for evenings or weekends.

Absolutely-kids often enjoy the bold colour and the giant “hole”, and the surrounding quays are great for safe walking or cycling.

Most visitors spend 30-60 minutes seeing the building and its surroundings, longer if they combine it with a meal, a drink, or a wider Confluence walk.

Nearby Attractions to the Cube Orange

Musée des Confluences - A striking glass-and-metal museum at the tip of the Presqu'île, exploring science, cultures, and the story of humanity.
Cube Vert (Green Cube) - Another contemporary landmark nearby, echoing the Cube Orange with its vivid colour and bold geometry.
La Sucrière - A converted riverside warehouse turned contemporary art and events space, often hosting major exhibitions and festivals.
Pôle de Commerces et de Loisirs Confluence - A large shopping and leisure complex with restaurants, cinemas, and terraces overlooking the water.
Saône and Rhône River Quays - Reworked riverbanks with paths for walking and cycling, ideal for linking Confluence with the city centre via scenic routes.

The Le Cube Orange appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lyon!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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