Place du Change

Square in Lyon

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Jean Housen

Place du Change is one of the most iconic squares in Vieux Lyon, known for its elegant Renaissance charm and rich commercial history. The name refers to its historical role as the place where money changers and merchants gathered—this was once the financial heart of the city during the time when Lyon was a thriving hub of trade and banking in the 16th century. The square is compact but full of character, often buzzing with pedestrians, street performers, and visitors exploring the surrounding shops and cafés.

Loge du Change

At the center of the square stands the Loge du Change, originally built in 1631 and redesigned in 1748 by Jacques-Germain Soufflot, the architect of the Panthéon in Paris. This neoclassical building once served as the stock exchange, and today it hosts cultural events and concerts.

Maison Thomassin

The Maison Thomassin, also located on Place du Change, is one of the city’s most remarkable Gothic civil buildings. Dating back to the late 13th century, it originally belonged to the powerful Thomassin family, wealthy merchants and financiers who played an important role in Lyon’s economic life during the Middle Ages. The building’s façade, restored in the 20th century, showcases beautiful Gothic windows, delicate stone carvings, and a distinctive steep roofline typical of medieval architecture. It once housed shops on the ground floor with living quarters above—common for merchant homes of the time. Today, while the building is not open for public visits, it remains an architectural gem and a favorite subject for photographers and history lovers exploring the square.

The Place du Change appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lyon!

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