Place Bellecour Lyon, France

Steven John
3 min readJan 21, 2023

Place Bellecour is a large square in the center of Lyon, France. It is the largest pedestrian square in Europe and is located between the Rhône and Saône rivers. The square is known for its statue of King Louis XIV, which stands in the center of the square, and for its views of the city. The square is surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Place Bellecour is also a hub of public transportation in Lyon, with several metro and bus lines passing through the square.

A branch of the Institute Paul Bocuse, a culinary school and restaurant, is located at one corner of the place. The school is named after the late French chef Paul Bocuse, who is considered one of the most influential figures in modern French cuisine. The school is named after the late French chef Paul Bocuse, who is considered one of the most influential figures in modern French cuisine. The tourist office on this square or place is a great place to get a picture with the great chef’s statue.

More modern works of art here include:

A statue of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, writer poet, journalist and aviator, sitting in front of his most famous character, the Little Prince. It was erected in 2000 for the centenary of the Saint-Exupéry’s birth.

A couple examples of pavement art or “flackings”, a play on the French word flaque, meaning puddle done by the secretive artist Ememem. He decorates potholes and sidewalks with lively mosaics.

Place Bellecour is close to most of best historic and culinary locations. A hotel near this square will serve as an excellent base.

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