Squares

Place de la République

Lyon

Place de la République is a square in the Presqu'île area of Lyon. It divides rue de la République into two parts, one leading north toward the hôtel de ville and the other south toward place Bellecour. Rue Childebert crosses the square to the south, while rue Jean-de-Tournes, rue Jacques-Stella, and rue du Président-Carnot open onto it. The passage de l'Argue opens on the northwest side.

The square includes two Morris columns, one at the intersection with rue Childebert and another at the start of rue Jacques-Stella. A basin occupies the center of the square and is considered a fountain with small water jets. Its present form reflects successive urban changes. In the 1850s, the site was occupied by a dense network of streets. A new north-south street, rue Impériale, now rue de la République, was created under prefect Vaïsse, and a large square was planned where the street changed direction. The square was inaugurated in 1862, later modified by the opening of rue du Président-Carnot in 1888 and by the resulting changes to its shape.

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

Nearby Objects

Urban Setting and Street Connections

Place de la Republique is located in the Presquile area, where it divides rue de la Republique into two separate sections. From the square, one part of the street runs north toward the hotel de ville, while the other runs south toward place Bellecour. To the south of the square, rue Childebert crosses from east to west. The square is also accessed by rue Jean-de-Tournes, rue Jacques-Stella, and rue du President-Carnot. On its northwest side, the passage de l'Argue opens onto the square.

Notable Features of the Square

Place de la Republique includes several notable elements. The square has two Morris columns, with one located at the intersection of the square and rue Childebert, and another at the beginning of rue Jacques-Stella. In the center of the square there is a basin, which is considered a fountain with small water jets. These features form part of the square's visible urban furnishings and contribute to its public character.

Formation of the Square

In the 1850s, the site of place de la Republique was occupied by a dense network of streets. It was crossed southeast to northwest by rue de l'Hopital, which linked place de l'Hopital to rue Grenette, while other streets oriented generally west to east branched off from it. During major works directed by prefect Vaisse, a north-south street was created in the dense urban fabric of the Presqu'ile. This new street, rue Imperiale, now rue de la Republique, formed a slight bend north of place Bellecour, and a large square was planned at the point where it changed direction. Nearby blocks were also adjusted, with rues de Jussieu, Noire, Paradis, and Raison widened, and rue Childebert created to connect place des Jacobins to pont de l'Hotel-Dieu, now pont Wilson.

The new square was inaugurated in 1862, although the project was not completed, which left the square slightly offset to the northwest. In 1888, a decision was made to build a diagonal street between place de la Republique and pont Lafayette. The opening of rue du President-Carnot caused the square to lose its rectangular shape and created a skewed northeast angle. The site later became associated with the assassination of president Sadi Carnot nearby in 1894. In 1900, a monument with Sadi Carnot's statue was erected in the center of the square. Later changes continued to affect the area: rue Childebert was widened in 1959, and passage de l'Hotel-Dieu was demolished and replaced by a building designed by Jacques Perrin-Fayolle. Sadi Carnot's statue was eventually moved to the Rhone prefecture garden, without its original monument.

Redevelopments and Public Uses

The square has undergone several changes linked to circulation, landscaping, and public use. The tunnel passage of line A led to the cutting down of several plane trees. In 1995, the square was redeveloped by Alain Sarfati for an underground parking facility managed by LPA. At that time, trees were planted on the east and west slopes, granite slabs were laid on the ground, Serge Boyer's fountain was moved to the La Duchere neighborhood, and it was replaced by the current basin. In 2016, the section between rue Jacques-Stella and rue du President-Carnot was redeveloped, and the carousel was removed.

The basin and the square have also been part of public debate. Before the 2020 elections, centrist candidates David Kimelfeld and Georges Kepenekian proposed replacing the basin with an urban forest and ground misters. In 2023, the citys maintenance of the basin was criticized because of green water coloration, and in 2025 the mayor of the 2nd arrondissement deplored the basin's dryness in summer.

Place de la Republique is also used for recurring events. Since 2018, the Republique-Grolee-Carnot business association has organized monthly events, including a temporary garden each July. During each edition of the Fete des Lumieres, the square hosts luminous objects reflected by the basin water. Since 2013, it has also hosted the solidarity festival Soupe en scene on the last weekend of November.