Greening, parking, usefulness of the square, Bruno Bernard, president of the metropolis of Lyon, gave his opinion on the future of Place Bellecour, whose “greening” project was officially presented by the city on November 12.
What future for Place Bellecour? After the presentation in mid-November of the ephemeral work which will be installed on the largest square in Lyon, from next summer, to provide a little shade, Bruno Bernard, president of the metropolis, gave his opinion on the become possible of this emblematic place of the capital of Gaul.
For the president (EELV) of Greater Lyon, the place “will never be an urban park”. A reference to the strong architectural and technical constraints that weigh on Bellecour. The elected environmentalist also says he can find opinions on the current state of the place “quite unfair”. “Yes, it can be unpleasant in the summer, but it is a place that plays a key role on our peninsula and in our city center. We organize the Run in Lyonsports 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”he clarified.
Lots of sails, few plants
An opinion not so far from that expressed by Grégory Doucet during the last municipal council stating that the place will not be “transformed into a forest”. But far from that of Grégory Doucet of December 2022 who proudly wrote about X: “You dreamed of it: Place Bellecour will be green” as part of the projects selected for the municipal participatory budget. Almost two years after this message, this revegetation finally transformed into an ephemeral work of art made of large sails crossing the square to bring a little shade to the place. A project quickly criticized. “I say that the majority lied to the Lyonnais. They promised revegetation and there is none. I have already seen political scams, but this is the most important of the mandate”criticized the elected LR Pierre Olivier, mayor of 2e arrondissement.
The ecological municipality prefers to highlight “the first stone”what constitutes this work in the transformation of the place, explaining moreover that the flowerbeds called “pocket gardens” will be installed between the lines of trees in the northern part of Bellecour. Insufficient for many, but an illustration of the technical constraints linked to the underground car park and the metro station present under the square.
Concerning this parking lot, Bruno Bernard reaffirmed his desire not to close it. Particularly in the context of the creation in June 2025 of a limited traffic zone in this sector. “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 maintain a balance, and I have no intention of closing this place.”he assured. It now remains to be seen what the people of Lyon will think of the ephemeral work which will be inaugurated in July 2025.
