France's second largest city, Lyon boats a cobbled old town and attractive Gothic and Renaissance architecture and is acknowledged as the gastronomic capital of France.
Tours often start at the white Basilica of Notre Dame, built on the site of the old Roman Forum, from where there are views across the city and then move down to the old town below, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the medieval alleyways.

French history witnessed by changing names

Place Bellecour in Lyon, France, is a splendid public square in the Downtown area, itself on a island in the Rhône River.

Some history and features

At 62,000 sq. metres, it is among the largest public squares in France and is bigger than Red Square, Moscow.

In addition to the elegant frontages of the buildings which face the wide square, there are at least two especially well known features for which the square is remembered.

Firstly, an equestrian statue of King Louis XIV is in the centre of Place Bellecour. This imposing statue — in its day, the largest bronze casting — was the work of François-Frédéric Lemot (1772-1827). Beside the main statue are two smaller ones by the Coustou brothers, by way of allegorical representations of the Rhône and Saône Rivers. Lemot's statue was inaugurated in 1826.

Secondly, not close to the square, but overlooking the city to which there is an especially advantageous view from Place Bellecour, is the church of Fourvière (French: Notre-Dame de Fourvière ). This striking basilica was built between 1872 and 1884. In Neo-Gothic style, it looks particularly imposing at its elevated location when floodlit.

Originally belonging to the Archbishop of Lyon, the name Bellecourt dates from the 16th century. In 1708, King Louis XIV gained possession of the square, which became known as place Royale (surprise?). After the French Revolution, it was known as place de l'Egalité (Equality Square). In turn, it was successively named place Bonaparte and place Napoléon . When the republican form of government eventually took root in France, the name of the square reverted to its 16th century one: place Bellecour (1).

Lyon is situated in France's Rhône department, within the Rhône-Alpes region.

The city of Silk
In 1750, Lyon was the silk-weaving capital of Europe, with silk weavers making up 40 percent of the city’s workforce. By 1850, the city had tripled in size, boasting a population of 340,000 people and 100,000 weaving looms.

The City of Bicycle


Place des Terreaux, Lyon

Along the north side of the Place des Terreaux is the large set of statues and a lead fountain created by the sculptor Bartholdi. which represent the Saone and Rhone rivers heading to the sea. Along the east side of the square is the Hotel de Ville.