Squares

Place de la Bourse

Lyon

Place de la Bourse is a rectangular pedestrian square in the Cordeliers district of Lyon. It is bordered to the west by rue de la République, to the east by rue de la Bourse, to the south by the palais de la Bourse, and to the north by three 18th-century houses. The square is paved with gray granite slabs in light and dark shades and laid out with several pedestrian paths bordered by benches. Rows of flower beds, trees including magnolias, and bushes, either in containers or planted, line these paths. A granite block functioning as a fountain stands to the east of the square, but it is out of service.

The site was developed during the Second Empire alongside the construction of the palais de la Bourse and the opening of rue de la République, replacing a network of small streets. Its current layout dates from the early 1990s, following complete renovation and the construction of an underground car park. Urban planner Alexandre Chemetoff was responsible for the surface layout project. In 1991, excavations during the works revealed traces of human occupation dating from the . The square also contains memorial elements, including a white marble bust of Édouard Aynard by Jean-Baptiste Larrivé (1919) and a bust in memory of Antoine Issac, with references to two men who were presidents of the Chamber of commerce of Lyon.

Map showing the location of Place de la Bourse in Lyon
Location of Place de la Bourse in Lyon

Nearby Objects

Layout and Setting

Place de la Bourse is a rectangular pedestrian square in the Cordeliers district in Lyon. It is bordered by rue de la Republique to the west and rue de la Bourse to the east, with the palais de la Bourse to the south and three 18th century houses to the north. The square is paved with gray granite slabs in light and dark shades. Several pedestrian paths cross the space and are bordered by benches. Along these paths are rows of flower beds, trees including magnolias, and bushes, which are either placed in containers or planted directly in the ground. To the east of the square there is a granite block used as a fountain, but it is out of service.

Development and Cultural Life at Place de la Bourse

Place de la Bourse was developed during the Second Empire, alongside the construction of the palais de la Bourse and the opening of rue de la Republique. The site replaced a network of small streets. During the Third Republic, the Cafe Maderni was located there and became a meeting place for Lyon poets and writers in the 1870s and 1880s, including Louisa Siefert, the Barthelemy brothers, Clair, Jean and Alexandre Tisseur, Victor de Laprade, and Josephin Soulary. The painters Paul Chenavard and Joseph Guichard also joined them. The Cafe Maderni was destroyed in 1894 after the assassination of Sadi Carnot, during riots targeting Italian-run establishments. The current layout of the place dates from the early 1990s, when it was completely renovated and an underground car park was built. Urban planner Alexandre Chemetoff was responsible for the surface layout project. In 1991, excavations during the works revealed traces of human occupation dating from an earlier period. In 2025, urban furniture, information, and seating were installed as part of efforts to limit traffic in the Presqu'île zone, before being moved to the neighboring place des Cordeliers after road reorganization.

Monuments at Place de la Bourse

The monuments at Place de la Bourse include a white marble bust of Edouard Aynard, made by sculptor Jean-Baptiste Larrive in 1919. The site also includes a bust in memory of Antoine Issac. Another monument element commemorates two men who were presidents of the Chamber of commerce of Lyon. In addition, two bronze statues representing Apollon and Athena were originally placed beside the bust, adding to the ensemble associated with the square.