Place Bellecour

Place Bellecour (62,000 sq.m.) is not only Lyon’s biggest square, it is the largest pedestrian square in Europe. The imposing statue in the centre depicts Louis XIV astride a horse. A more recent statue pays tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and the Little Prince. Both monuments are a source of inspiration for artists creating light shows for the Festival.

On this square you will also find: catering facilities, the official shop and the Tourist Office.

Previous years

I love Lyon — © Muriel Chaulet

I love Lyon

One of the Festival of Light’s most emblematic installations, depicting the Sun King in the snow, I Love Lyon has lost none of its poetic beauty.

Evanescent — Evanescent © Muriel Chaulet

Evanescent

A work of art to share during a break in the restaurant and relaxation areas set up on Place Bellecour!

I ♥ LIGHT — I ♥ LIGHT © Muriel Chaulet

I ♥ LIGHT

947 preloved lamps of all shapes and sizes are congregating on place Bellecour. Could one of them be yours?

Mirror Mountain — Mirror Mountain © Muriel Chaulet

Mirror Mountain

A strange structure, some kind of spacecraft, has landed in Place Bellecour. It appears to show us our own reflection, and maybe something more…

Muriel Chaulet

La Vague

When night falls, come and wonder at the spectacle of hundreds of scales rising up on Place Bellecour, undulating under the murmur of a light breeze.

Lucien Lung

Prairie éphémère

Around the foot of the statue of Louis XIV, Place Bellecour is transformed into a vast illuminated meadow.

Muriel Chaulet

Une petite place pour de grands rêves

The Anooki have taken on an extra dimension. Place Bellecour is the new playground for these huge characters as this monumental installation turns the venue into a child's bedroom.

Muriel Chaulet

Promenons-nous

Huge, brightly lit flowers and grasses have taken over the centre of the Place Bellecour, in an installation that invites visitors to stop and contemplate.

Lucien Lung

Mega Candela

Come and enjoy an interactive, contemplative display in the south-western corner of the Place Bellecour. Mega Candela, or "large candles" in Latin, is reminiscent of the traditional candles...

Fabrice Dimier

Off Lines

In the place Bellecour basin, Off Lines frees itself from spatiotemporal constraints and lets you enjoy the fluidity of a vivid light playing across the esplanade.

Frédéric Guignard-Perret

Jurassic Spark

Perched on an industrial container is Gustave: a life-size steel stegosaur, made by Romain Lardanchet in collaboration with the Fernand Forest vocational school.

Muriel Chaulet

Roboticum

In the night, four robots with articulated metal arms play with light animations on their screens.

Frédéric Guignard-Perret

Un songe forain

With "Un songe forain," plunge freely into the ancient yet contemporary world of carnivals...

M. Chaulet - Ville de Lyon

Night of Dreams

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the disappearance of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, follow the imaginary adventures of little Tonio through a magnificent fresco...

F.Guignard-Perret - Ville de Lyon

Pierrot Le Feu

This 15-minute show mixes video projection, lighting and fireworks to tell the story of Pierrot’s awakening on the big wheel of the Place Bellecour.

J.Rambaud - Ville de Lyon

I Love Clouds

An immense bouquet of illuminated balloons seems to want to sweep away in to the clouds the sculpture which has impassibly dominated the place Bellecour for almost two centuries.

M.Chaulet - Ville de Lyon

Magic Cube

Let’s go for a ride together! Visitors who become cyclists for an evening will compete against each other in a static race to illuminate the statue of Louis XIV and its pedestal.