Place Bellecour, Lyon
Square in Lyon
Place Bellecour is the square that Lyon always seems to circle back to. Stretching out between the Rhône and Saône on the Presqu'île, it's one of the largest open squares in Europe and the largest pedestrian square in the country, a wide expanse of ochre gravel that feels almost like an urban beach. In the centre, the equestrian statue of Louis XIV stands proudly, an easy landmark and meeting point for locals and visitors, with Fourvière Hill rising in the distance and turning especially beautiful in the soft light of sunset.
What makes Place Bellecour so compelling is how it mixes openness with energy. Around the square you'll find shops, restaurants, and the Onlylyon Tourist Office, with Rue de la République and other main streets radiating out like spokes. Whether you're heading for Vieux Lyon, jumping on the metro, or just sitting on a bench to watch street performers and families drift by, this is a natural crossroads and a highlight of any walking tour of Lyon. After a day or two in the city, you start to realise that passing through Place Bellecour has become part of your daily rhythm.
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History and Significance of Place Bellecour
Place Bellecour has been many things over the centuries: a Roman commercial zone, an episcopal vineyard, a military encampment, a royal square, and now a UNESCO-listed landmark. In Roman times, this low-lying area was an alluvial island with warehouses and river-related activity. By the 12th century, the archbishop of Lyon had a vineyard here known as Bella curtis-“beautiful garden”-which gave the square its current name. Later, during periods of conflict like the 16th century Wars of Religion, the open ground became a strategic military space.
Under the French monarchy, Bellecour was reshaped into a grand royal square. In the early 18th century it was known as Place Royale or Place Louis-le-Grand and adorned with a statue of Louis XIV, underlining Lyon’s importance in the kingdom’s political and commercial network. The French Revolution swept away the original statue and temporarily renamed the square, but in the 19th century a new equestrian statue of the Sun King was erected, the same one you see today. Around the edges, orderly façades gave the space a formal frame befitting its status.
Today, Place Bellecour is kilometre zero for Lyon's roads and part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage listing, recognised for how it anchors the historic urban fabric between the two rivers. It's also a living stage: seasonal fairs, book events, street protests, pétanque competitions, and even a winter Ferris wheel all pass through at various times of year. Standing in the middle of the square, with the statue of Louis XIV, the Saint-Exupéry and Little Prince monument, and Fourvière in view, you feel both the weight of history and the easy, everyday life of modern Lyon.
Things to See and Do in Place Bellecour
Start at the obvious focal point: the equestrian statue of Louis XIV. Walk around it to appreciate the scale and the careful sculpting of the horse and rider, and notice the way the monument anchors such a vast open space. From here, turn slowly in a full circle to pick out the main axes: Rue de la République heading towards the Hôtel de Ville and Opéra, Rue Victor-Hugo running south towards Perrache, and other streets threading off into shopping districts and quieter residential corners.
At the western end of the square, look for the statue of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry seated beside the Little Prince, a gentle tribute to Lyon’s famous writer-aviator. It’s a sweet counterpoint to the royal grandeur of Louis XIV and a reminder that the city’s identity is as much about imagination and storytelling as it is about power. Around the edges of the square you’ll also find pavilions and kiosks, including the main tourist information office, where you can pick up maps, passes, and ideas for further exploring the city.
Place Bellecour is also the perfect place to simply pause. Grab a coffee from a nearby café and sit on a bench to watch street life unfold: children playing, skateboarders crossing the gravel, tour groups gathering under guide flags, and commuters streaming in and out of the Bellecour metro station beneath your feet. In winter, you might find an ice rink or Ferris wheel set up on the square; in other seasons, pop-up events or markets bring a different kind of buzz. Come back at different times of day if you can-the atmosphere at midday, golden hour, and after dark feels like three different versions of the same place.
How to Get to Place Bellecour
Most international visitors arrive via Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which is well connected to European cities and some long-haul routes. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com. From the airport, the Rhônexpress tram takes you to Lyon Part-Dieu station, where you can transfer to the metro or buses to reach the city centre; a short metro ride on Line A or D brings you directly to Bellecour station beneath the square.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 arriving by mainline train, Lyon’s key stations-Part-Dieu and Perrache-are both just a few stops away on the metro. From Part-Dieu, take Line B and connect to Line A or D to reach Bellecour; from Perrache, you can walk up through the Presqu’île in about 15-20 minutes or hop on the metro for one stop.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. Regional TER trains and TGV high-speed services connect Lyon with Paris, Marseille, Geneva, and many other cities, making rail a very practical way to reach the city.
Driving into central Lyon is possible but not always the most relaxing option, given traffic and parking constraints on the Presqu'île. If you do come by car, aim for one of the underground car parks near Place Bellecour or along the Rhône and then explore on foot from there.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. Once you're parked, everything around the square-including Vieux Lyon, the shopping streets, and riverside promenades-is easily accessible without needing to get back behind the wheel.
Practical Tips on Visiting Place Bellecour
- Suggested tips: Use Place Bellecour as your mental compass-start your day here, pick up maps at the tourist office, and then fan out along different streets each time you return.
- Best time to visit: Late afternoon into sunset is especially atmospheric, with warm light on the façades and Fourvière Hill glowing in the distance.
- Entrance fee: Free — Place Bellecour is an open public square.
- Opening hours: Accessible 24 hours a day, though shops and services around the square follow their own schedules.
- Official website: https://en.visiterlyon.com/
- How long to spend: Plan 30-45 minutes to soak up the atmosphere and orient yourself, longer if you’re stopping for coffee, a snack, or people-watching.
- Accessibility: The square is flat and open, with wide gravel and paved areas; it’s generally easy to navigate for wheelchairs and strollers, though some surrounding side streets have older, uneven paving.
- Facilities: You’ll find the main tourist office, metro entrances, benches, and plenty of nearby cafés, bakeries, and shops for refreshments and services.
- Photography tip: Frame Louis XIV with Fourvière in the background, or head to the northern edge of the square to capture the sweep of open space against the line of façades; evening blue hour is especially photogenic.
- Guided tours: Many city and food tours meet or pass through Place Bellecour, using it as a starting point for exploring the Presqu'île or crossing to Vieux Lyon, so it's an easy rendezvous point.
- Nearby food options: The surrounding streets are full of brasseries, bouchons, and cafés; you’re only a short walk from both traditional Lyonnais cuisine and more contemporary dining options.
Where to Stay close to Place Bellecour
If you want to stay directly on the square, Le Royal Hotel Lyon - MGallery Collection offers classic elegance and unbeatable convenience. Step outside the front door and you're already in the middle of Place Bellecour, with immediate access to the metro, shops, and the main arteries of the Presqu'île.
For a slightly more intimate feel, Bayard Bellecour occupies a historic building overlooking the square. Its traditionally styled interiors and prime location make it an excellent choice if you like the idea of watching the light change over Bellecour from your window, then wandering down to join the life of the square.
Just a short stroll away, Hôtel des Artistes sits near the Saône bank and the theatre district, giving quick access to both Place Bellecour and the footbridges leading into Vieux Lyon. It's a good option if you want a central base with slightly quieter surroundings at night while still being a couple of minutes from the heart of the action.
Is the Place Bellecour Worth Visiting?
Place Bellecour is absolutely worth visiting, and chances are you'll pass through it more than once without even trying. As the central hub of the Presqu'île, it gives you a real feel for Lyon's scale and pace, whether you're crossing it on your way to Vieux Lyon, meeting friends under Louis XIV, or pausing to check your map and decide where to wander next. The combination of open space, historic statuary, views to Fourvière, and constant but unhurried movement makes it a place you remember, not just a dot on the metro map.
What Other Travellers Say...
Place Bellecour is a vast, tree‑lined public square in Lyon's center where locals gather for events, seasonal attractions like an ice rink, and a small art museum; edges offer shaded walkways, fountains and splash areas that families and children enjoy, plus occasional shade installations that help cool the open, heat‑collecting space, and a tourism center on site for visitor information.
FAQs for Visiting Place Bellecour
Nearby Attractions to Place Bellecour
- Saône and Rhône Riverbanks - The redesigned quays and promenades along both rivers, perfect for walks, cycling, and riverside picnics just a few minutes from the square.
- Vieux Lyon - The atmospheric old town across the Saône, with Renaissance streets, traboules, and plenty of bouchons to discover.
- Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière - The hilltop basilica overlooking the city, reachable by funicular from Vieux Lyon and offering sweeping views over Bellecour and the Presqu'île.
- Rue de la République - One of Lyon's main shopping streets, running north from Place Bellecour towards the Hôtel de Ville and the Opéra.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon - A major fine arts museum housed in a former abbey on Place des Terreaux, a pleasant walk up through the Presqu'île.
The Place Bellecour 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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Planning Your Visit
Accessible 24 hours a day, though shops and services around the square follow their own schedules.
Free - Place Bellecour is an open public square.
Nearby Attractions
- Théâtre des Célestins (0.3) km
Theatre - Place des Jacobins (0.3) km
Square - Musée de l'Illusion (0.3) km
Museum - Saône River (0.4) km
River - Funiculaire de Lyon (0.5) km
Cable Car - Cathédrale Saint-Jean (0.5) km
Cathedral - Maison du Chamarier (0.6) km
Historic Building - Cour d’Appel (0.6) km
Historic Building - Abbaye Saint-Martin d’Ainay (0.6) km
Abbey - Miniature and Cinema Museum (0.6) km
Museum
