The equestrian statue in Place Bellecour, in comic strip form

A turbulent history

Contrary to what many believe, the statue visible today is not the one
Established under Louis XIV. Its history begins in the 17th century and spans more than
350 years of historical events.

1658: Bellecour becomes Place Royale

To honor Louis XIV, the city decided to erect a huge equestrian statue.
The project was entrusted to the sculptor Martin Desjardins.

An extraordinary journey

Completed in Paris in 1694, the statue traveled to Lyon via a spectacular route:
Rouen, Gibraltar, Toulon, Arles then the Rhône as far as Oullins.
An exceptional journey for a work of this size.

1701: The statue topples

During unloading near Lyon, the statue fell.
It wasn't until 1715 that it was finally installed on its pedestal.

The Revolution changes everything

In 1792, the royal statues were destroyed.
Louis XIV's bronze was melted down to make cannons.
The original work disappears forever.

1825: a new statue for Bellecour

The Lyon-based sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot is creating a new statue of nearly
5.70 meters high and weighing approximately 15 tons.
This is the one we admire today.

Did you know?

• The current statue dates from 1825.
• The first statue arrived in Lyon by boat.
• His journey included a stop in Gibraltar.
• The original work was destroyed during the Revolution.
• Transporting the new statue required a team of ten horses.

Where is the statue?

The equestrian statue is located in the center of Place Bellecour.,
in the heart of the Presqu'île of Lyon.
It faces the Basilica of Fourvière and is one of the monuments
the most photographed in the city.

Things to discover around Place Bellecour

• Old Lyon
• The Basilica of Fourvière
• Jacobins Square
• The Hôtel-Dieu
• The banks of the Rhone