Place Bellecour — Attraction in Lyon

If you're visiting Lyon for a weekend, start here, but don't stay here!

Mass transit hub, close to Vieux Lyon, Roman ruins, bellecour itself is a huge and beautiful Square etc. a good place to begin a day, don't try and see everything though!

Not a huge problem like other cities but here and part dieux do have a fair bit of pickpockets and such during tourist season.

Lyon is small compared to Paris or London but that's arguably what makes it better! It's densely packed with points of interests and things to see, do and eat.

History and Vieux Lyon= West Shopping/Touristy = North Ethnic/local spots= East Regional trains and Confluence = South

Though avoid Rue Mercière (tourist traps) and most of the bars and restaurants around hôtel de ville if going North.

Crossing East will take you to Guillotière which is the most ethnically diverse part of Central Lyon, South of Guillotiere is full of amazing little bars and restaurants packed with locals and students.

Try something off the...

So disappointed!!! Christmas with NO Christmas tree nor any Christmas lights to be seen anywhere in the Belcour square and in Lyon for that matter, only the big wheel and half a dozen big balls were lit, nothing related to Christmas. NO Christmas lights other than in one street and all this during the Festival de la Lumière! Really? What a disappointment! Even the Festival of lights projected on buildings was disappointed in comparison to 7 years ago. It seems it has lost its way. The only one thing that was still well organised was the crowd control. For me, it is no longer worth flying in or traveling any distance nor to pay for expensive hotels or Airbnb's for that very poor show. I heard quite a few comments about the ecological mayor... my message to him, if you can't do a Festival of light with clean energy, then don't do one at all. Please don't take tourists for more stupid...

Magnificently grand open square in the heart of Lyon. It measures around 312 by 200 metres (about 15 acres). Most notably is the lack of greenery or trees and filled with red clay type of surface. It's one of the largest pedestrian squares in Europe. Few landmarks here, besides the surrounding majestic buildings, are the Equestrian Statue of Louis XIV, the grand Ferris Wheel and the Tourism Office of Lyon. You can also find a statue representation of Antoine Exupéry in the west end of this square. A fantastic setting unmolested by vehicles with few benches around to relax and people watch. This is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. Just simply magnificent, spectacular and suitable...