Place de la Basoche, Lyon

Square in Lyon

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Guilhem Vellut

Place de la Basoche is one of the must-see places in Lyon if you love small, characterful squares with big stories behind them. Tucked at the junction of Rue de la Bombarde and 60 Rue Saint-Jean in Vieux Lyon, it feels like a little stage set of Renaissance stone and ochre hues. The star of the square is the Maison des Avocats, a gorgeous 16th-century building with three levels of Tuscan-style galleries whose arches and colonnades glow warmly in any light. Today it's home to the Musée Cinéma et Miniature, so you get both architectural beauty and a quirky, creative museum in one stop.

Historically, this spot was closely linked to Lyon's legal world. From 1406, the area served as an annex of the Palais de Justice and hosted the Confrérie de la Basoche, a guild of legal clerks who handled court business but also staged plays and festivities, complete with their own “king” and “chancellor.” That blend of law and theatre feels very Lyon: serious work with a playful edge. These days the confraternity is long gone, but the square still invites you to linger on a bench, look up at the galleries, and imagine the bustle of clerks, actors, and townsfolk moving through here centuries ago. It's a highlight of any walking tour of Lyon that dips into Saint-Jean's side streets rather than just skimming past on Rue Saint-Jean.

History and Significance of Place de la Basoche
Things to See and Do in Place de la Basoche
How to Get to Place de la Basoche
Practical Tips on Visiting Place de la Basoche
Where to Stay close to Place de la Basoche
Is Place de la Basoche Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Place de la Basoche
Nearby Attractions to the Place de la Basoche

History and Significance of Place de la Basoche

The roots of Place de la Basoche go back to the Middle Ages, when this part of Lyon developed as a vital extension of the nearby Palais de Justice. In 1406, the area became an annex for the courts, and the Confrérie de la Basoche set up shop here. These legal clerks were more than just administrative staff: they formed a self-governing association with its own internal hierarchy and traditions. The word “Basoche” itself came to represent this unique guild, which blended legal training with pageantry, satire, and popular theatre.

For over a century, the confraternity staged performances that sometimes poked fun at authority and blurred the line between official justice and public entertainment. That edge eventually proved too much: by 1540, the Basoche’s “unruly” behaviour led to its suppression. Even so, the name survived as a label for both the square and its community, and the legal, theatrical spirit of the place still lingers in the stories people tell about it.

The Maison des Avocats, built around 1516, embodies the transition into the Renaissance. Its three levels of ochre-coloured Tuscan galleries, with their rhythmic arches and slender columns, signal a period when Lyon was a hub for trade, printing, and law-and when wealthy professionals wanted buildings that matched their aspirations. Today, the Maison's galleries and the square itself are carefully preserved, turning Place de la Basoche into a living fragment of Lyon's legal and cultural history rather than a frozen monument.

Things to See and Do in Place de la Basoche

The first thing you'll want to do is simply step into the square and look around. Place de la Basoche is compact, almost intimate, with the Maison des Avocats stretching along its northern side like a backdrop. Take a few moments to trace the line of the three gallery levels: the ground floor arcs, the middle arcade, and the upper gallery with its lighter feel. The warm ochre colour is classic Vieux Lyon and plays beautifully against blue skies or soft, overcast light.

Next, head into the Musée Cinéma et Miniature, which brings a playful, modern twist to the Renaissance setting. Inside, you’ll find film props, costumes, special-effects models, and an extraordinary collection of miniatures that reward close inspection. The contrast between the historic architecture and the movie magic on display is part of the charm-this isn’t a dusty period house, but a lively museum that makes full use of its unique setting.

Even if you don't visit the museum, Place de la Basoche is a lovely place to pause. Grab a takeaway coffee or snack from nearby Rue Saint-Jean, then sit on a bench and watch the flow of visitors and locals weaving through the square. Look for little details: carved stone, old doorways, and the perspective views down the intersecting streets. As you step back out into Rue Saint-Jean's busier atmosphere, you'll feel like you've briefly slipped backstage into the quieter, more intimate side of Vieux Lyon.

How to Get to Place de la Basoche

If you're arriving by air, you'll land at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which has regular connections across Europe and beyond; from the airport, take the Rhônexpress tram into central Lyon, then transfer to the metro and ride to Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean, from where it's just a short walk into the Saint-Jean district and Place de la Basoche. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.

Travelling by train, Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache are your main arrival points. From Part-Dieu, hop on the metro to Bellecour and change to the line that crosses the Saône to Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean, then follow Rue Saint-Jean until you reach the junction with Rue de la Bombarde. From Perrache, you can either take metro/tram connections or enjoy a pleasant riverside walk across the bridge and into Vieux Lyon before threading your way up to 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.

By car, it's usually simplest to park on the Presqu'île or in an underground car park near the Saône, such as around Bellecour or Saint-Georges, and then cross the river into Vieux Lyon on foot. 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. The old town’s narrow, often pedestrian streets are best explored without a vehicle, and wandering is half the fun.

Practical Tips on Visiting Place de la Basoche

Suggested tips: Combine Place de la Basoche with a visit to Saint-Jean Cathedral and a few traboules for a well-rounded Vieux Lyon morning or afternoon.
Best time to visit: Late morning or late afternoon, when the light on the Maison des Avocats’ galleries is gentle and the square feels lively but not packed.
Entrance fee: Free to access the square; separate admission applies for the Musée Cinéma et Miniature.
Opening hours: The square is accessible at all times; museum hours vary by day and season, so check ahead if you plan to visit.
Official website: https://www.museeminiatureetcinema.fr
How long to spend: Allow 15-30 minutes to enjoy the square itself, or 1.5-2 hours if you’re also visiting the museum.
Accessibility: The square is paved and mostly level, but surrounding streets are cobbled and can be uneven; visitors with reduced mobility may want to plan routes carefully.
Facilities: Benches are available in the square; additional facilities like toilets, cafés, and shops are easily found along Rue Saint-Jean and nearby streets.
Photography tip: Stand near one corner of the square to capture the full run of the Maison des Avocats galleries; vertical shots work well to emphasise all three levels.
Guided tours: Many Vieux Lyon walking-tours include Place de la Basoche, offering extra insight into the Basoche confraternity and the legal history of the area.
Nearby food options: Rue Saint-Jean and Rue du Bœuf are lined with bouchons, ice-cream stands, and cafés, so it’s easy to follow your visit with a relaxed meal or snack.

Where to Stay close to Place de la Basoche

If you want to stay right in the heart of Vieux Lyon, Cour des Loges Lyon, a Radisson Collection Hotel is a standout choice, set in a cluster of Renaissance buildings with courtyards and vaulted passages just a short stroll from Place de la Basoche.

For a slightly more bohemian feel with easy access across the river, Collège Hôtel offers playful, school-themed decor and sits near the Saint-Paul quarter. From here, you can walk into Vieux Lyon in minutes and reach the square via Rue Saint-Jean or the riverside.

If you'd prefer to stay on the Presqu'île but remain close to Vieux Lyon, Hôtel des Artistes is a good option. It's just across the Saône from the old town, so you can cross the bridge in a few minutes and be wandering past Place de la Basoche and the Maison des Avocats in no time.

Is Place de la Basoche Worth Visiting?

Place de la Basoche is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you're already exploring Vieux Lyon. It may be small, but its combination of Renaissance architecture, colourful legal and theatrical history, and the presence of the Musée Cinéma et Miniature give it a distinctive personality. This spot is one of the best places to see in Lyon if you enjoy squares that feel like little courtyards of stories, where you can sit for a few minutes and feel the centuries layered into the surrounding stone.

FAQs for Visiting Place de la Basoche

Where exactly is Place de la Basoche located in Lyon?
It sits at the intersection of Rue de la Bombarde and 60 Rue Saint-Jean in Vieux Lyon’s Saint-Jean district, just a short walk from the cathedral and the Saône riverfront.

Is there a fee to enter the square or see the Maison des Avocats?
No, the square and the exterior of the Maison des Avocats are free to access; only the Musée Cinéma et Miniature inside charges an entry fee.

Can I visit Place de la Basoche in the evening?
Yes, the square is open at all hours, though the museum and most nearby shops will be closed later at night.

Is the square suitable for children?
Yes, children often enjoy the open space and the colourful galleries, and the Musée Cinéma et Miniature is particularly fun for families.

How long should I plan for a visit?
Around 20 minutes is enough to enjoy the square itself, but plan up to two hours if you want to explore the museum in depth.

Nearby Attractions to the Place de la Basoche

Fourvière Basilica - The hilltop church overlooking Lyon, reachable by funicular from Vieux Lyon and offering panoramic views over the old town and river.
Cathédrale Saint-Jean - Vieux Lyon's landmark Gothic cathedral, just a short stroll away, with impressive stained glass and a historic astronomical clock.
Musée Cinéma et Miniature - Located in the Maison des Avocats on the square, showcasing film props, special effects, and intricate miniatures.
Rue Saint-Jean - The main pedestrian artery of Vieux Lyon, lined with bouchons, shops, and Renaissance façades.
Crible House (Pink Tower) - A picturesque courtyard with an ochre spiral tower on Rue du Bœuf, another Renaissance gem nearby.

The Place de la Basoche appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lyon!

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