Place Sathonay, Public square in 1st arrondissement, Lyon, France
Place Sathonay is a square in Lyon's 1st arrondissement where seven streets converge at the base of the Croix-Rousse hills. Four-story buildings surround it, and a central staircase decorated with two stone lions from 1823 connects the levels.
The site once held a 14th-century convent before transformation into a square in 1814. It was named after Nicolas Marie Jean Claude Fay de Sathonay, who served as Lyon's mayor from 1805 to 1812.
A statue of Sergeant Blandan by sculptor Thomas Lamotte occupies the center and doubles as a seating area where locals gather. It reflects the neighborhood's connection to its military past and serves as a natural meeting point.
The square offers plenty of shade from trees, benches for resting, and a petanque court for games. Metro Line A serves the area via Hotel de Ville station, and several cafes provide drinks and snacks nearby.
Each year a neighborhood flea market transforms the entire square into a bustling trading ground. During this event, residents sell vintage items and finds directly from the steps and corners of the square.
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