Place Bellecour

Place Bellecour is the great open square at the centre of the Presqu'île in Lyon, in France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and is counted among the largest pedestrian squares in Europe. Its surface of reddish-pink gravel stretches between the Rhône and Saône, unbroken by trees or buildings, so that the view opens uninterrupted toward the basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière on the hill to the west. At the centre stands the equestrian statue of Louis XIV, and near the southern side a statue honours Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the Lyon-born author of The Little Prince, depicted with the character. The square is framed by uniform 18th-century facades, and the tourist office occupies a pavilion on the square, making it a practical first stop for maps and information. A visit to the square itself needs only twenty to thirty minutes, but it works as a hub: Rue de la République, a main pedestrian shopping street, leaves from its north side, and the bridge Passerelle Bonaparte-style crossings and quays are a short walk away. Metro lines A and D both stop at Bellecour, and the square is a major tram and bus interchange. Photographers favour the view toward Fourvière at sunset, when the hill and basilica catch warm light, and the wide space suits panoramic shots. In winter an ice rink and market stalls sometimes appear, and during the Fête des Lumières in early December the square becomes one of the main gathering points for the light installations, drawing very large crowds. In summer the gravel is hot and shade is scarce, so mornings and evenings are more pleasant. Weekends bring street performers, families and event stands, while early weekday mornings are quiet.