homeA gorgeous square in situated on the Presqu'ile of Lyon, which is classified as World Heritage Site by Unesco. The Presqu'ile is the island of land between the Soane and the Rhone rivers of Lyon.
The area that today's square sits upon, first came into use in 1208 when the Lyonnaise erected a wall at the foot of the Croix Rousse hill and a tower along the Saone river as a means of controlling river traffic and for defense. Over the next few centuries, it was built up, but fell into disuse and was demolished in the 16th century.
In 1555, nuns of the convent Saint-Pierre, were allowed to use stones from the wall and tower to build a convent, which is today The Museum of Fine Arts, or Le Musee des Beaux Arts.
In 1646, the stunning Town Hall, or Hotel de ville de Lyon was built.
A view of the interior.
During the French Revolution, Place des Terreaux was where the guillotine was set for beheadings. In 1994, Place des Terreaux was refurbished. Hundreds of headless corpses were found from the Revolutionary beheadings, and work was stalled for months while the corpses were exhumed and examined.
In 1891 a massive fountain made by Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi was inaugurated. Monsieur Bartholdi was the man who made the Statue of Liberty. He traveled to The United States and personally chose New York Harbor as the statue's home.
Voila! Gros bisous de l'histoire, corpses, et beaute et a demain!
Love, Charley
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