Neighbourhood guide

Presqu'île

The peninsula between Rhône and Saône

The Presqu'île is the central peninsula of Lyon, set between the Rhône and the Saône. It holds the main squares, the city hall, the opera and the principal shopping streets.

From Place des Terreaux in the north to Place Bellecour in the south, most sights sit within a short walk of each other. The Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Hôtel de Ville frame Terreaux, while the Opéra stands just behind the city hall.

Further south the area quietens into Ainay, with the Romanesque basilica and the textile museum. Perrache station closes the peninsula before the Confluence quarter begins.

Getting there

Metro line A serves Bellecour, Cordeliers, Hôtel de Ville and Perrache. Metro line D serves Bellecour, Guichard and Cordeliers.

24 places

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See Presqu'île on the interactive map

What to see

Place Bellecour is the natural starting point, an open square with an equestrian statue of Louis XIV. Rue de la République leads north from Place des Jacobins past the shops to the Saint-Nizier church and Cordeliers.

Place des Terreaux brings together the Hôtel de Ville, the Opéra and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The Grand Hôtel-Dieu on the Rhône quay and the Théâtre des Célestins add architecture and performance to the walk.

Where to eat and drink

Rue Mercière is the best-known restaurant street, between Bellecour and Cordeliers. The Marché Saint-Antoine on the Saône quay sells cheese, charcuterie, bread and pastries, with its largest days from Friday to Sunday.

Nearby neighbourhoods

Vieux Lyon Renaissance lanes between the Saône and the hill 7 places · under 1 km away

Fourvière The hill of Roman Lugdunum and the basilica 5 places · under 1 km away

Guillotière Left bank, riverside and wartime memory 4 places · 1.5 km away

Part-Dieu Station, library and the covered market 4 places · 1.6 km away

The best of Presqu'île

Best museum Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon Closed on Tuesdays, with collections open Wednesday to Monday.

Best square Place des Terreaux The Bartholdi fountain sits between the city hall and the museum.

Best market Marché Saint-Antoine / Célestins Larger from Friday to Sunday, starting at 06:00.

Things to do in Presqu'île

Stone facade of the Palais Saint-Pierre, home of the Musée des Beaux-Arts, on Place des Terreaux in Lyon

Museum · 8 euros (collections) Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon Fine arts museum in a former abbey, with collections from antiquity to modern art and a garden courtyard.

Front of the Opéra de Lyon with its glass barrel vault above the stone arcade

Landmark Opéra de Lyon Opera house and home of the Opéra national de Lyon, standing beside the Hôtel de Ville.

Market Marché Saint-Antoine / Célestins Food market along the Saône quay selling fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, fish, bread, pastries, wine and flowers.

Place Bellecour in Lyon with Fourvière basilica on the hill in the distance

Landmark Place Bellecour Large square holding the equestrian monument to Louis XIV, the Saint-Exupéry and Little Prince statue and the Veilleur de pierre, a Second World War memorial.

Bartholdi fountain with its four horses on Place des Terreaux in Lyon

Landmark Place des Terreaux Square in front of the Hôtel de Ville, centred on the Bartholdi fountain by the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.

Hôtel de Ville de Lyon facade with its clock tower seen from Place des Terreaux

Landmark Hôtel de Ville de Lyon City hall built from 1646 to 1672, facing the opera and the Place des Terreaux, damaged by fire in 1674 and 1803 and still home to the city council.

Fountain at the centre of Place des Jacobins in Lyon with surrounding buildings

Landmark Place des Jacobins Square holding the Fontaine des Illustres Lyonnais, one of the public fountains listed by the Ville de Lyon.

Romanesque bell tower and facade of the Basilique Saint-Martin d'Ainay in Lyon

Church Basilique Saint-Martin d'Ainay Romanesque church from the 11th and 12th centuries, with a bell-tower porch topped by a spire and four pyramids, and 12th-century capitals.

Statue on its column in the tree-lined Place Carnot in Lyon

Landmark Place Carnot Square in the 2nd arrondissement holding the Shoah memorial, also used for a Sunday food market.

Facade and clock of Gare de Lyon-Perrache from the street

Special Gare de Lyon-Perrache Station built in 1856 and 1857 and the main Lyon station until the TGV, with an interchange complex added in 1972 to 1976 that split the Presqu'île.

Neoclassical facade of the Théâtre des Célestins in Lyon

Landmark Théâtre des Célestins Theatre designed by Gaspard André with a traditional Italian-style hall in red velvet and a smaller hall, La Célestine, listed as a historic monument since 1997.

Place des Célestins with the Théâtre des Célestins facing the square

Landmark Place des Célestins Square on the site of the former Célestins convent, with the Théâtre des Célestins on one side.

Gothic twin-spired facade of Église Saint-Nizier in Lyon

Church Église Saint-Nizier Listed historic monument described by its parish association as one of the finest examples of flamboyant Gothic in the region.

Grand Hôtel-Dieu and its dome lit at dusk beside the Rhône in Lyon

Landmark Grand Hôtel-Dieu Former hospital on the Rhône quay turned into a complex of more than 30 shops, restaurants, cafés, a hotel and courtyards open to the public.

Gothic facade of the Basilique Saint-Bonaventure on the Presqu'île in Lyon

Church Basilique Saint-Bonaventure Franciscan church built from 1325 to 1327 where Saint Bonaventure died in 1274, listed in 1927 and a minor basilica since 2019.

Ornate facade of the Palais de la Bourse in Lyon

Landmark Palais de la Bourse (Palais du Commerce) Second Empire exchange building opened in 1860 alongside the Rue Impériale, now Rue de la République, around the painted Salle de la Corbeille and home to the chamber of commerce.

Bell tower rising behind the open Place Antonin Poncet in Lyon

Landmark Place Antonin Poncet Square on the Rhône side of the Presqu'île holding the Flower Tree by J.-H. Choi and the memorial to the Armenian genocide.

Landmark Place Louis Pradel Square at the foot of the Croix-Rousse slopes holding the set of sculptures by Ipoustéguy, listed by the Ville de Lyon among its public artworks.

Gallery room with wood floor in the Fondation Bullukian on Place Bellecour

Museum · Free Fondation Bullukian Contemporary art centre of about 1,500 square metres on Place Bellecour with free temporary exhibitions and free guided tours every Saturday at 4 pm.

Pale stone facade and arched entrance of the Grande Synagogue in the Presqu'île of Lyon

Landmark Grande Synagogue de Lyon Neo-Byzantine synagogue built in 1863 and 1864 by Abraham Hirsch, later chief architect of the city.

Market Marché alimentaire Carnot Sunday market of about 20 traders selling fruit and vegetables, cheese, meat, poultry, charcuterie, fish and flowers.

Market Marché des producteurs fermiers de Carnot Weekday evening farmers' market on Place Carnot, held on Wednesdays.

Market Marché aux timbres et cartes postales Sunday market of stamps and postcards held on Place Bellecour.

Street front of the Comédie Odéon theatre in Lyon

Landmark Théâtre Comédie Odéon Theatre on rue Grolée in the Cordeliers quarter, presenting a season of plays and occasional concerts.

What's on in Presqu'île

Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.

Exhibition: HOMING by Nika Schmitt Exhibition
13 Nov 2026 to 23 Jan 2027 · La BF15
Exhibition of installations by Nika Schmitt, part of the ZONE XP festival with Grame. Free entry and free guided visits every Saturday at 15:00.
Free · Map · Source: La BF15 · HOMING, Nika Schmitt
Le Sacre du printemps et House Dance
On now, until 14 Nov · Opéra national de Lyon
Dance show at Opéra national de Lyon, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
THE DOUG Concert
Sat 14 Nov · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
Ateliers numériques : Les Petits explorateurs du numérique Activities
Wed 18 Nov · Bibliothèque du 2e
Activity at the Bibliothèque du 2e, a branch of the Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon.
10:30 to 12:00 · Map · Source: Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon
Chapelle d’Automne Festival
On now, until 18 Nov · Chapelle de la Trinité
Festival at Chapelle de la Trinité.
de 10 à 30€ · Map · Source: Mairies d'arrondissement de Lyon
La Petite séance : Bienvenue les gones au cinéma ! Activities
Wed 18 Nov · Bibliothèque du 2e
Activity at the Bibliothèque du 2e, a branch of the Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon.
16:30 to 18:00 · Map · Source: Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon
Le cabaret de la Bulle Comedy
Wed 18 Nov · TH Métro
A comedy show at TH Métro, listed on the imprudents.fr calendar.
20:45 to 22:15 · Map · Source: imprudents.fr
Thésée, sa vie nouvelle Theatre and shows
18 to 22 Nov · Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon
Show at Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
Xiao Fan, piano Classical and opera
Wed 18 Nov · Opéra de Lyon
Public concert by students and guests at Opéra de Lyon, as listed by the conservatoire.
18:30 · Map · Source: CNSMD Lyon
Gros monsieur Concert
Thu 19 Nov · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant

Show all 53 events

Arch'ivres en Turakie Exhibition
On now, until 30 Jan 2027 · Archives municipales de Lyon
Exhibition at Archives municipales de Lyon, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
Audio-described shows at Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon Theatre and shows
On now, until 9 Apr 2027 · Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon
Show at Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon.
Map · Source: Mairies d'arrondissement de Lyon · Spectacles en audiodescription aux Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon
BAPTISTE W.HAMON Concert
Fri 20 Nov · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
Brochier Soieries, 130 years of silk, gold and silver Exhibition
On now, until 31 Oct 2027 · Mairie du 2e arrondissement
Exhibition at Mairie du 2e arrondissement.
Adulte : 8 € · Map · Source: Mairies d'arrondissement de Lyon · Brochier Soieries, 130 ans de soie, d’or et d’argent
Des faits comme défis Exhibition
On now, until 19 Dec · Fondation Léa et Napoléon Bullukian
Exhibition at Fondation Léa et Napoléon Bullukian, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
Dimfit: free fitness classes for everyone Activities
On now, until 27 Jun 2027 · À Lyon
Sports event at À Lyon.
Map · Source: Mairies d'arrondissement de Lyon · Dimfit : cours de fitness gratuits pour tous
Exhibition of the month Exhibition
On now, until 29 Nov · Mairie du 2e arrondissement
Exhibition at Mairie du 2e arrondissement.
Map · Source: Mairies d'arrondissement de Lyon · L'exposition du mois
Festival AiRT de famille Festival
On now, until 3 Jan 2027 · Centre d’Échanges de Lyon Perrache
Festival at Centre d’Échanges de Lyon Perrache, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
Laudine Bignonet & Madeleine Prunel, chant Classical and opera
Fri 20 Nov · Opéra de Lyon
Public concert by students and guests at Opéra de Lyon, as listed by the conservatoire.
18:30 · Map · Source: CNSMD Lyon
Le procès de Jeanne Bloch Theatre and shows
On now, until 22 Nov · Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon
Play at Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
Sentimental Museum Exhibition
On now, until 14 Mar 2027 · Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
Exhibition on artists' collecting practices drawing on the collections of the museum, the macLYON and the Centre Pompidou.
Map · Source: MBA Lyon · Musée sentimental
Sign language (LSF) visits at the Musée des Beaux-Arts Tours and walks
On now, until 20 Mar 2027 · Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
Guided visit at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon.
Map · Source: Mairies d'arrondissement de Lyon · Visites en LSF au Musée des Beaux-Arts
200 years of the passage de l'Argue Activities
Sat 21 Nov · Mairie du 2e arrondissement
Community event at Mairie du 2e arrondissement.
Map · Source: Mairies d'arrondissement de Lyon · Les 200 ans du passage de l’Argue
En’jeux communs Festival
Sat 21 Nov · UCLY
Festival at UCLY, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
Grand concerts of the Opéra de Lyon orchestra Classical and opera
21 Nov 2026 to 24 Jun 2027 · Opéra national de Lyon
Concert at Opéra national de Lyon.
De 10€ à 66€ · Map · Source: Mairies d'arrondissement de Lyon · Grands concerts de l’Orchestre de l’Opéra de Lyon
Rudolfs Stikuts & Linda Vannayová, orgue Classical and opera
Sat 21 Nov · Temple Lanterne
Public concert by students and guests at Temple Lanterne, as listed by the conservatoire.
17:00 · Map · Source: CNSMD Lyon
Voter. Pourquoi faire ? Pourquoi dire ? Talks and readings
Tue 24 Nov · Bibliothèque du 2e
Talk at the Bibliothèque du 2e, a branch of the Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon.
19:00 to 20:30 · Map · Source: Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon
Alexandre Butet Comedy
Wed 25 Nov · TH Métro
A comedy show at TH Métro, listed on the imprudents.fr calendar.
20:45 to 22:15 · Map · Source: imprudents.fr
Paradoxe Theatre and shows
25 Nov to 5 Dec · Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon
Play at Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
LES TIT' NASSELS Concert
Thu 26 Nov · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
LES TIT' NASSELS Concert
Fri 27 Nov · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
LESBIENNES AU COIN DU FEU + AIGRE DOUCE Concert
Sat 28 Nov · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
ARTHUR ET LA BALEINE Concert
Wed 2 Dec · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
Visions Comedy
Wed 2 Dec · TH Métro
A comedy show at TH Métro, listed on the imprudents.fr calendar.
20:45 to 22:15 · Map · Source: imprudents.fr
Léa Mafille et Stuart McArthur, chant Classical and opera
Thu 3 Dec · Opéra de Lyon
Public concert by students and guests at Opéra de Lyon, as listed by the conservatoire.
12:30 · Map · Source: CNSMD Lyon
TRIBUTE THOU Concert
Thu 3 Dec · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
Paseo d'hiver (2026) Illumination
4 Dec 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 · Rue de la République
Winter light installation by Faniuolo on Rue de la République.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières
Romain Lassalle, piano Classical and opera
Fri 4 Dec · Opéra de Lyon
Public concert by students and guests at Opéra de Lyon, as listed by the conservatoire.
12:30 · Map · Source: CNSMD Lyon
Candelum Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Place d'Albon
Light installation by TILT on Place d'Albon.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières
GEO, light machine Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Quai Saint-Antoine
Light machine by Vincent Loubert and Louxor Spectacle on Quai Saint-Antoine.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières · GEO, machine lumineuse
Harp (The Theory of Strings) Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Place de la République
Light installation by Studio 1024 Architecture on Place de la République.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières · Harp (la théorie des cordes)
Level Up Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Place des Jacobins
Light show on Place des Jacobins by Samuel Chatain and RAINBOW, based on PAC-MAN.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières
Mission Lumignons, destination NGC2392 Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Place Bellecour
Collective light constellation on Place Bellecour, built with lumignons by the city's events team.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières
Pacific Palisades Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Fondation Bullukian
Light installation by Louis-Paul Carron at the Fondation Bullukian.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières
Sentinels (Underwater) Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Place Louis Pradel
Light installation by Benjamin Nesme on Place Louis Pradel.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières
Strobilophones Illumination
5 to 8 Dec · Quai Saint-Antoine
Light and music procession by Picto Facto on Quai Saint-Antoine, two passages each evening.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières
The Carnival of the Animals Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Place des Terreaux
Light installation by Les Ateliers BK on Place des Terreaux.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières · Le Carnaval des Animaux
The Light of Speed Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Place Antonin Poncet
Light installation by Studio BK, presented by Rosa Paris on Place Antonin Poncet.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières · La lumière de la vitesse
Twist & Shine Illumination
Sat 5 Dec, Sun 6 Dec, Mon 7 Dec, Tue 8 Dec · Place Bellecour
Light installation by Irene Urrutia on Place Bellecour.
Map · Source: Fête des Lumières
Projet Nanashi Theatre and shows
9 to 19 Dec · Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon
Play at Les Célestins - Théâtre de Lyon, listed on the Ville de Lyon agenda.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon
SCENE SLAM RAP Concert
Wed 9 Dec · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
MARIE AMALI + CLEMENTINE WECK Concert
Thu 10 Dec · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant
Kevin dALL'AGNOL Concert
Fri 11 Dec · A Thou Bout d'Chant
A concert at A Thou Bout d'Chant, listed on the A Thou Bout d'Chant calendar.
Map · Source: A Thou Bout d'Chant

Show 3 events nearby, outside Presqu'île

Quai Saint Antoine market Market
Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday. Next: Fri 13 Nov · Quai Saint Antoine, Lyon 2e
A food market at Quai Saint Antoine in Lyon 2e, running Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday, as listed in the Métropole de Lyon's open data on market sites.
Free entry · Map · Source: Métropole de Lyon (open data, Licence Ouverte 2.0) · Marché Quai Saint Antoine
Quai Victor Augagneur market Market
Tuesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday. Next: Fri 13 Nov · Quai Victor Augagneur, Lyon 3e
A food market at Quai Victor Augagneur in Lyon 3e, running Tuesday and Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday, as listed in the Métropole de Lyon's open data on market sites.
Free entry · Map · Source: Métropole de Lyon (open data, Licence Ouverte 2.0) · Marché Quai Victor Augagneur
Stamp market Market
Sunday, and public holidays. Next: Sun 15 Nov · Place Bellecour, Lyon 2e
Stamps and philately are sold by about ten traders on place Bellecour on Sundays from 8:30 to 12:30.
Map · Source: Ville de Lyon (lyon.fr) · Marché aux timbres

All 53 local events in Presqu'île

Live music in Presqu'île

Opéra de Lyon 38 upcoming gigs
Hot Club de Lyon 23 upcoming gigs
Marché Gare 16 upcoming gigs
Le Périscope 15 upcoming gigs
La Trinité 13 upcoming gigs
Ninkasi Cordeliers 11 upcoming gigs
Les SUBS 3 upcoming gigs

What's on in Presqu'île this week

From the blog

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Stay in Presqu'île

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