logo
ic_menu

Place Bellecour, Lyon

Place Bellecour, Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Description

La Place Bellecour in Lyon is one France's largest squares. It measures 312x220/190m (it is trapezoidal) with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV in the centre and one of Le Petit Prince and Antoine de Saint-Exupery in the southwest corner. In a way, it is considered the center of the city and the metro station is the busiest in Lyon. In the winter, a Ferris wheel and an ice rink are set up on the square. Trivia: Place Bellecour is Europe's largest pedestrian square

Access & Transport

Metro station Bellecour (A, D) and bus stops (C20, 27) are at the north-eastern corner of the square. It is 1.2km north from Lyon Perrache train and tram station (T1, T2)

Instructions & Recommendations

The square is just across the Pont Bonaparte bridge from the Saint-Jean neighbourhood (in the Old Lyon) and Lyon Cathedral.

Meta review

The square draws quite consistent comments (but inconsistent ratings) from travellers and residents alike who find it impressive, probably a must see in the city, but strangely empty and nowhere close to being one of the most attractive in the country.

Environmental & Social

We deem this activity to be environmentally "green" (despite the urban setting) and socially neutral.

Conclusion

The Place Bellecour is a bit of an oddity in a major European city; its size should impresses but somehow it mostly serves to accentuate its emptiness. A missed opportunity in our opinion, we could imagine some daring architectural structure there merging old and new. Worth a quick look only, or for ice skating in the winter.

Key positive

Centrally located and easy to get to

Key negative

Not much to see besides the statues

Suitability

No restrictions

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:0h 30m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightOk

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. For a complete overview of all cookies used, please see MORE INFORMATION.