Place des Jacobins, Lyon

Square in Lyon

Place des Jacobins is one of the must-see places in Lyon if you love romantic city squares that feel both grand and intimate. Right in the heart of the Presqu'île, it's framed by beautiful 19th-century buildings, chic boutiques, and buzzing yet refined cafés. The atmosphere is calmer than nearby Place Bellecour, but just as central-this is where locals agree to meet “under the fountain” before drifting off to dinner, shopping, or a riverside stroll.

At the centre of it all stands the Fontaine des Jacobins, a luminous white marble fountain dedicated to four notable Lyonnais creators, including architect Philibert Delorme and engraver Gérard Audran. By day, it gleams against the pale façades; by night, it glows softly, turning the square into a quietly theatrical stage. Place des Jacobins is a highlight of any walking tour of Lyon if you're hunting for its prettiest corners, and it's the kind of spot where sitting down with a coffee can easily turn into an hour of people-watching.

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

History and Significance of the Place des Jacobins

Place des Jacobins takes its name from a former Dominican (Jacobins) convent that once stood here, long before the current square took shape. Over the centuries, the area evolved from monastic land into a planned urban space as Lyon's Presqu'île was reshaped with elegant boulevards and harmonious façades. The 19th century, in particular, left a strong mark: many of the buildings you see today date from this period, with ornate balconies, tall windows, and stonework that echo the architecture of Paris while keeping a distinctly Lyonnais scale.

The Fontaine des Jacobins, inaugurated in 1885, anchors the square both visually and symbolically. Designed as a tribute to Lyon’s artistic heritage, it features statues of four figures associated with architecture and the arts, set above basins where water cascades in gentle tiers. Rather than commemorating kings or battles, the fountain honours creativity, subtly underlining Lyon’s long tradition of craftsmanship, printing, and design.

Today, Place des Jacobins is less about grand events and more about everyday life. It's a crossroads between major shopping streets, a pause point between the Rhône and Saône, and a pocket of beauty where locals still bring visitors to show off “their” city. Its human scale, careful lighting, and polished stone façades all contribute to that sense of understated elegance that defines so much of central Lyon.

Things to See and Do in the Place des Jacobins

Start by circling the Fontaine des Jacobins slowly, taking in its layered structure and the sculpted figures that stand watch over the square. Each statue represents a notable Lyonnais artist or architect, and the overall design is rich in detail-from carved decorative motifs to the way the water plays across the white marble surfaces. It’s especially photogenic from the corners of the square, where you can capture the fountain framed by the surrounding façades.

Once you’ve admired the fountain up close, take a step back and look at the architecture. The encircling buildings feature classic 19th-century lines: wrought-iron balconies, high windows, and uniform rooflines that give the square a harmonious, almost stage-like quality. It’s the perfect backdrop for photos, whether you’re shooting wide angles of the fountain and façades or picking out small details like carved stonework and street lamps.

Then, do what Place des Jacobins does best-invite you to linger. Choose a terrace, order a coffee or a glass of wine, and watch the city move around you. People drift in from nearby Rue de la République, pause to snap pictures, check their phones, greet friends, and move on. From here, it's an easy walk to Place Bellecour, the Rhône quays, or Vieux Lyon, so you can treat the square as a beautiful “base camp” for exploring the rest of the centre.

How to Get to the Place des Jacobins

Most visitors arriving from farther afield will land at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which has frequent flights from across Europe and beyond; from the airport, the Rhônexpress tram links into the city centre, where you can connect to metro or tram lines to reach the Presqu'île and Place Bellecour, just a short walk from Place des Jacobins. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.

If you're coming by train, Lyon Part-Dieu and Lyon Perrache are the main stations, both well connected to the city centre.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. From Part-Dieu, you can take the metro or tram towards Bellecour or Cordeliers and then walk a few minutes to Place des Jacobins; from Perrache, it's either a quick tram or metro ride, or a pleasant stroll up through the Presqu'île's shopping streets to reach the square.

For those travelling by car, follow signs to the city centre and look for underground parking around Place Bellecour, along the Rhône quays, or in nearby garages, then continue on foot to Place des Jacobins.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, the whole area is best explored on foot, with the square acting as an easy orientation point between riverbanks, main shopping streets, and other central squares.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Place des Jacobins

Suggested tips: Bring a takeaway coffee or pastry and claim a spot on a bench or café terrace-this square is made for slow, unhurried enjoyment rather than box-ticking sightseeing.
Best time to visit: Early morning offers quiet streets and soft light on the façades; evenings are particularly romantic, with the fountain and buildings beautifully illuminated.
Entrance fee: Free — it’s a public square, open to everyone.
Opening hours: Accessible 24/7, though cafés and nearby shops follow their own business hours.
Official website: https://en.visiterlyon.com
How long to spend: Plan 20-40 minutes to soak up the atmosphere, take photos, and perhaps enjoy a drink; longer if you use it as a base before exploring nearby streets.
Accessibility: The square is flat and paved, making it easy to navigate for wheelchairs and strollers; just watch for traffic on surrounding streets and occasional delivery vehicles.
Facilities: You’ll find cafés, restaurants, and shops around the square, with public toilets usually available in nearby commercial areas or larger venues; ATMs and public transport stops are within a short walk.
Photography tip: Shoot from each corner of the square to get different angles of the fountain and façades; blue hour is ideal for capturing the glow of the fountain against a deepening sky.
Guided tours: Many guided city walks pass through or close to Place des Jacobins, using it as an example of 19th-century urban planning and one of the city's most photogenic squares.
Nearby food options: The surrounding streets are full of cafés, bistros, and dessert spots, from chic tearooms to modern brasseries-perfect for a pre- or post-stroll treat.

Where to Stay close to the Place des Jacobins

Staying near Place des Jacobins puts you right at the elegant heart of the Presqu'île. Hôtel Carlton Lyon - MGallery is a classic choice a short walk away, offering refined rooms and a timeless atmosphere that matches the square’s own sense of style.

If you prefer a slightly more intimate boutique feel, Hôtel Silky by HappyCulture sits just a few streets from Place des Jacobins. From here, you can wander to the square in minutes, then continue on to Place Bellecour, the Saône riverfront, or the Grand Hôtel-Dieu without needing public transport.

For a stay that connects you easily to both the square and the rivers, Hotel Bayard Bellecour on nearby Place Bellecour is a good option. It gives you quick access on foot to Place des Jacobins, shopping streets, and metro lines, while still feeling central and walkable to almost everything in the historic core.

Is the Place des Jacobins Worth Visiting?

Place des Jacobins is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you appreciate beautiful city squares that feel lived-in rather than overly staged. It may not have a long list of “things to do,” but that's part of its charm: the pleasure lies in the fountain, the façades, the light, and the gentle hum of everyday life around you. Whether you pause here for ten minutes or linger for an hour, it's one of those places that quietly anchors your mental map of Lyon and leaves you with a lasting image of the city's understated elegance.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.8 (87)

Place des Jacobins, at Pl. des Jacobins in Lyon's 2nd arrondissement, is a compact, traffic‑busy square famed for its elegant surrounding buildings and a striking central fountain. The Fontaine des Jacobins, completed in the late 19th century, features four white marble statues of notable local artists and an eclectic design blending Classical and Baroque influences; visitors praise its intricate detail and the soothing sound of flowing water. The square is lined with cafés and restaurants, making it a pleasant spot to stroll, rest, people‑watch, or enjoy the architectural ambiance of this popular city center meeting point.

Taha Yaseen

3 months ago

"The Place des Jacobins (French pronunciation: [plas de ʒakɔbɛ̃]) is a square located in the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon. It was created in 1556 and afountain was added in 1856. The square belongs to the zone classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO. According to Jean Pelletier, this square is one of the most famous in Lyon, because of its location in the center of the 2nd arrondissement and its heavy traffic, as 12 streets lead here.[1] The square, particularly its architecture and its features, has changed its appearance many times throughout years...."

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Kent Wang

6 months ago

"The Fontaine des Jacobins was designed by architect Gaspard André and completed in 1885. It features four white marble statues representing notableLyo ais artists: architect Philibert Delorme, sculptor Guillaume Coustou, engraver Gérard Audran, and painter Hippolyte Flandrin. These statues were sculpted by Charles Degeorge. The fountain's design reflects an eclectic style, incorporating Classical and Baroque influences...."

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Ewan Baxter

3 months ago

"The whole city of Lyon is full of fantastic Architecture, this intricate fountain is another example. The detail is fantastic and this is just afountain!..."

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FAQs for Visiting Place des Jacobins

Place des Jacobins is located in the 2nd arrondissement on the Presqu’île, roughly between Place Bellecour and the northern shopping streets like Rue de la République.

Yes, it’s a short walk from several metro and bus stops, including those around Place Bellecour and Cordeliers, making it very easy to include in any central Lyon itinerary.

Most visitors spend around 20-40 minutes here, but you might stay longer if you sit at a café terrace or use it as a meeting point before exploring nearby streets.

It’s lively but not overwhelming-central enough to feel animated, yet calm compared with the larger, more trafficked squares like Place Bellecour.

Generally yes; the area is well lit and frequented by locals and visitors in the evening, though you should take the usual city-centre precautions and be aware of your surroundings.

Nearby Attractions to the Place des Jacobins

Vieux Lyon - The atmospheric Renaissance old town across the Saône, easily reached on foot for traboules, bouchons, and cobbled streets.
Place Bellecour - Lyon's vast central square just a short walk away, acting as a major hub for transport, shopping, and city events.
Rue de la République - One of the main shopping streets on the Presqu’île, lined with boutiques, cafés, and cinemas.
Grand Hôtel-Dieu - A beautifully restored former hospital complex on the Rhône, now home to shops, restaurants, and a hotel within historic courtyards.
Saône River Quays - Scenic riverbanks a few minutes' walk away, perfect for a leisurely stroll or an evening drink with views of Vieux Lyon.

The Place des Jacobins 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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