Lyon-Saint-Paul railway station is a stop for local trains in Lyon, France. It is situated in the 5th arrondissement, in the area of the same name. It is located on the northern side of the Vieux Lyon quarter, between the river Saône and the Fourvière hill. It is also the terminus of local trains serving the western suburbs of the city.
Place Bellecour
Place Bellecour is a large square in the city center of Lyon. Located in the Ainay district, it is 312 meters wide and 200 meters long, covering a total of six thousand square meters (15 acres). This is the largest pedestrian-only square in Europe, and the third-largest in France. It is surrounded by allegorical statues of the Rhone and Saone.
The statue of the Little Prince was originally erected here in 1713, but was destroyed during the French Revolution. The current version of the statue was installed in 1825 and was sculpted by Francois-Frederic Lemot in Paris. It was transported in twelve days on a coupling pulled by 24 horses. The statue’s arrival in Lyon was a festive event. Another statue commemorating the French aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery was erected in 2000, in honor of his centennial.
Place des Terreaux
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Lyon, Place des Terreaux is situated on a peninsula between the Saone and Rhone rivers. The square is also one of the city’s UNESCO world heritage sites. Visitors to the city can sit in the outdoor cafe there, or check out the Bartholdi fountain. The city’s City Hall is also situated nearby. In addition, the city’s Opera Nouvel is 240 metres east.
The square’s history goes back to the Renaissance. The city was once home to the Gadagnes brothers, a family of bankers from Florence. Soon after they moved in, they got into a fight and decided to cohabitate in separate wings of the building. They were famous for throwing the biggest parties in town and inspired the Lyonnaise expression “rich comme Gadagne”. During renovations in the early 2000s, an archeological excavation was conducted at the site. Today, the building is home to the Lyon historical museum.
Eglise Saint-Paul
One of the oldest and most beautifully preserved churches in the city of Lyon is the Catholique Eglise Saint-Paul. Originally part of a monastery, it was built around the year 549. However, it was destroyed by the Maures in 732 and rebuilt by Archbishop Leidrade in the early IXe century. It was also used as a necropole during the Middle Ages. It was next to the Saint-Laurent Cathedral and linked to it through a covered passage. The current church is the result of different phases of rebuilding dating from the 11th century to the 19th century.
In the XIXe siècle, the church is made paroissial. It underwent several restoration campaigns including pavage, reconstruction of walls and charpentes, and installation of a new fleche. The nef is decorated with four travees delimitated by pillars.
Taxi companies
There are a few things to keep in mind when you need to hire a taxi in Lyon-Saint-Paul. The first thing to know is how many taxis are available in the area. It’s a midsized train station, so there isn’t always an abundance of taxis. UBER and taxis are often scarce, so it’s best to book ahead of time.
If you’re going to be with a large group, you might want to consider hiring a chartered bus or a stretched limousine. This type of transportation allows you to avoid the busy roads and get around more quickly. They also provide a comfortable ride with plenty of legroom.
