Lyon. The unexpected announcement on the future of the parking lot and the “vegetation” of Bellecour

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He had not yet shared his position on this hot topic! There Place Bellecour and its future continue to fuel discussions in Lyon. After the presentation by Mayor Grégory Doucet of a major artistic work which should overshadow from July 2025 and the abandonment of any ambitious greening project, it is the turn of the President of the Metropolis of Lyon Bruno Bernard to get involved in the debate.

The Metropolis owns the largest square in Lyon and is responsible for its urban development.

It was on X (formerly Twitter) that the elected environmentalist came out of his reserve by expressing his position on the future of Place Bellecour (2nd arrondissement). And the elected official clearly stands out from the mayor of Lyon on the possibility of greening the square. But he confirms the position of his colleague at the head of the town hall: there is no question of removing the underground car park.

“I have no intention of closing” the underground car park

“Many of you in recent days have asked me about the future of the Place Bellecour car park, with very divided opinions. Some are calling for its closure to allow for greening of the square. Others would consider it unacceptable to touch this,” introduces the elected official on X.

For the parking lot, closing it would be a mistake. We cannot rehabilitate our Peninsula and make it more pedestrianized while at the same time eliminating underground parking. It seems necessary to me to maintain a balance, and I have no intention of closing this place.

“Its parking lot has a role for the Presqu'île and if the place has possible and desirable developments, I find that we are sometimes a little harsh with this Place Bellecour,” affirms Bruno Bernard.

Bellecour “will never be an urban park”

Bruno Bernard notes that Place Bellecour “will never be an urban park”. “So yes, some dream of a large square of greenery, but the heritage constraints are known, it will never be an urban park. We can revegetate part of it (along the VL12, we are going to do it),” he says.

“Adapt it to extreme heat as planned by the city of Lyon with the work of art project,” maintains the president of the Metropolis.

On this square, “we organize the Run in Lyon, sports villages, concerts, cultural events… Things that would be much less simple to achieve on a vast expanse of grass. This place is a heart of social life,” continues the elected environmentalist.

Stand out from pro-vegetation

A position which places Bruno Bernard among those who do not want to touch in depth at Place Bellecour unlike other elected environmentalists who would like to plant more vegetation in this place with multiple constraints (historical heritage, metros, parking, etc.).

It's also a way of standing out from David Kimelfeld, the former boss of the Metropolis who proposed massive revegetation of Bellecour during the last campaign, with supporting visuals, and who could well be a candidate again in 2026…

“As for Place Bellecour, I like our place. I also find the opinions about it quite unfair about this place,” also believes Bruno Bernard.

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