One of the largest public squares in Europe, Place Bellecour stretches across nearly four hectares in the heart of the Presqu'île, the peninsula between the Rhône and the Saône. The square is almost entirely flat and open — deliberately so, as it doubles as the city's main gathering place for public events, Christmas markets, and celebrations. A large equestrian statue of Louis XIV stands in the centre.
The red-brick buildings on the south side are characteristic of Lyon's 17th-century urban architecture. The tourist office is on the north side. From the square, Lyon's two hills are visible simultaneously — Fourvière to the west and Croix-Rousse to the north — giving a sense of the city's dramatic geography in a single glance.