Place des Terreaux

Overview

Place des Terreaux is one of Lyon's most photogenic squares, anchored by the monumental Bartholdi Fountain and flanked by the Hôtel de Ville and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The square's 69 ground-level fountains, designed by Daniel Buren, create a playful water grid underfoot.

Highlights

• Bartholdi Fountain: A dramatic lead and stone fountain depicting four horses charging through water, originally designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (creator of the Statue of Liberty) for the city of Bordeaux.
• Buren Installation: 69 small square fountains embedded flush in the granite pavement, lit with fiber-optic lights at night.
• Framing: The square offers a perfectly composed view of the illuminated Hôtel de Ville facade at night.

History

The square takes its name from a former moat (terreau) that surrounded the city walls. The Bartholdi fountain was purchased by Lyon in 1892 after Bordeaux rejected it as too expensive. The 69 ground fountains were installed during a major renovation by artist Daniel Buren and architect Christian Drevet in 1994.

Visitor Tips

• Night Visit: The square is most atmospheric after dark when the Buren fountains and the Hôtel de Ville facade are illuminated.
• Cafés: The terraces on the north side offer the best view of the fountain and city hall.
• Duration: 15–20 minutes.