Place Louis-Pradel, Square in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon, France
Place Louis-Pradel is a paved square of light grey stone slabs in the 1st arrondissement of Lyon, linking the city centre to the Rhône quays. Its south side faces the Opéra with Jean Nouvel's domed roof and the entrance to the city hall; the north side backs onto the Croix-Rousse hill. Broad shallow steps descend toward the centre, and a white stone sculpture by Ipoustéguy stands with water pooling beneath it.
The square was created in the late 1970s as part of the construction of a new metro line connecting different parts of Lyon. Before that, the site was occupied by older, narrower streets and buildings that were cleared to make way for the new layout.
The square is known among skateboarders in Lyon and beyond, as its flat, open surfaces work well for practicing tricks. On sunny days, you regularly find young people there with their boards.
The square is easy to reach on foot, with a metro station just steps away. It sits open and unobstructed, so you can cross or enter it from any direction without difficulty.
In 2019, the city announced a major renovation plan that included trees, a water feature, and green areas, but most of the projects were later canceled. The square thus remained more open and bare than originally planned.
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