Place Bellecour

Place Bellecour stretches 300 meters across the 2nd arrondissement of Lyon with a red surface and broad pedestrian paths. The space links major streets and neighborhoods while sitting between the city's two rivers.

An equestrian statue from 1825 honors King Louis XIV and was created by sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot. This plaza marks the reference point from which all distances in Lyon are measured.

The square honors writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and his literary creation through a statue on the grounds. Another memorial, the Stone Watchman, also stands here as part of the local memory.

The plaza has tourist information pavilions, play areas for children, and outdoor dining options throughout. Walking paths connect easily to major shopping streets and neighborhoods around it.

This is Europe's largest pedestrian plaza, positioned between two rivers with views toward Fourvière Basilica. The expansive layout and riverside location create a distinctive urban setting found nowhere else on the continent.

Location: 2nd arrondissement of Lyon

Length: 300 m

Part of: thoroughfare network of Lyon

GPS coordinates: 45.75750,4.83222

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:23