Place Bellecour

Great open area, great vibes! Stayed at hotel nearby and a great, safe, clean, spacious parking garage below to leave car for a few nights.

It used to be one of Europe most beautiful square. Now it is horrible with a permanent modern fixture which has destroyed the view and perspective

Famous square in Lyon, quite big. There are some installations providing shadow and some areas with water drops making environment more fresh for the hot summer days. Really good idea and kids love it.

Nice open hangout place in Lyon City center, Mersmerising views on all sides from the center, can walk from Perrache stop within 10 minutes or get the metro directly from anywhere in the city. Many public events are conducted here and definitely a place to be during festive evenings in lyon.

It was very hot when we visited and the place just collects the heat. Though super nice that the silk-decoration spread some cool water and provided shade.

The square is very large and was pretty dusty and with next to no shade in the middle. I'm sure this space would be will use for events etc. Around the edges are yes lined walkways which was welcome in the summer heat. The Lyon tourism centre is here for those looking for help or interested in getting a city pass (you can pick them up here if you buy online). In one corner is the statue celebrating 'the Petit Prince'. There are also several fountains on one side which seemed very popular with young families looking to cool off.

Place Bellecour is a must-visit landmark in the heart of Lyon and one of the largest public squares in France. This vast open space—framed by elegant architecture and bustling with local life—serves as a central hub for the city, where history and modern rhythm collide. The square’s centerpiece is the striking equestrian statue of Louis XIV, poised grandly atop his horse. Though the square feels monumental in scale, the statue adds a distinct focal point and reminds visitors of Lyon’s deep-rooted ties to French history.

famous big square, pity there were construction works near the statue hindering a decent photo

I found using Place Bellecour as a way to shorten walking time to be the best use of this square. I'm sure it gets used for events and the like but there isn't really much to see or do in this square. The tourism office is located here, if you're into that sort of thing. There is also a big statue in the middle of the square, which had some nonsensical graffiti on it. The square itself is just packed red dirt with a lot of loose debris so be careful if you're wearing sandals or slippers. There are a lot of shopping and food places nearby. There is also a great view of the Fourviere, especially at night.

Expansive courtyard in the heart of old Lyon, this is the place to meet and greet, sight-see, and most importantly, where to decide to have lunch! On this early May day, the weather was most cordial, sunny, and mild - despite the "yellow jacket" demonstration and heavily armed police presence - and lots of people about enjoying the holiday. Evening in La Place Bellecour is tranquil and magical as well - so photogenic! A must-see in Lyon especially as a post-prandial stroll after a great meal.

When you are in Lyon you will end up here at some point. The main tourist office is located here as is the giant Ferris wheel. It's a massive ground surrounded by shopping areas and residential districts. As with any massive ground / square in France it's not only popular with tourists and locals as a place of gathering but also a ground used for protests, strikes, partying and so on. Early mornings is always hard here as you can see all the leftovers from the people occupying the square during the evening. This is another square that connects multiple districts and, Place Bellecour is the kilometer 0 of Lyon: all distances are counted from this point. It is one of the largest open squares (i.e. without any patches of greenery or trees) in Europe, and the third biggest square in France, behind the Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux and the Place de la Concorde in Paris. It is also the largest pedestrian square in Europe.

A must see. Largest pedestrian square in Europe. And a huge Ferris Wheel.

This huge square in central Lyon is strangely empty. In the middle is a statue of Louis XIV, around the edges are main roads, the metro station is in a corner, and along one side are the Tourist Information and some cafes and flower shops. If that sounds like a lot, don't be fooled: vast expanses of bare gravel remain, like some huge parade ground. There are no flower beds, groups of seating, or other features, so unless you go to a cafe this does not feel like a place to linger: most of the people in it are on their way to somewhere else. However, it's a useful place to be aware of. The tourist information is a great source of leaflets, maps, books and tours. 'Le Grand Tour' open-top buses leave from a stop close by. Surrounding shops offer charming homewares, gifts and chocolates, and there are plenty of cafes. Nonetheless, it has little of the beauty which characterises other nearby squares.

Place Bellecour is a great meeting place. You'd be surprised how easy it is to find friends while looking across the dirt square. It also affords some great views of the city. It's a great starting point for the city, since it's the zero point from which all distances are measure, the tourist office is there, the post office is there, and the largest metro station is there. While there, admire the lions, the statue of Louis XIV, where he doesn't have stirrups (which, IIRC caused the sculptor to commit suicide upon realizing his error), and trek to the southwest corner to see the statue of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry with the likeness of his beloved character, Le Petit Prince.