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- The Confluence district
The Confluence district
Contemporary
Last updated date : 21/10/2026
The southern tip of Lyon’s central peninsula, long devoted to manufacturing and transport, is the focus of an unprecedented project of urban renewal. Reclaimed from the waters in centuries past, this riverside site is re-embracing its banks and natural environment. The redevelopment is gradually highlighting an outstanding location and unique landscapes.
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The district of the future
Since the 2000s, this district has undergone an incredible transformation to become the newest and most futuristic part of Lyon today. As a laboratory for experimentation at the cutting-edge of ecology, this eco-district combines bold architectural designs and sustainable development.
Some of the biggest names in international architecture have left their mark here, including the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional council building by Christian de Portzamparc, the Orange Cube, the Green Cube (headquarters of Euronews), and various modern apartment blocks. All of these feats of architecture come together to make this district unique.
The Confluence district is an amalgam of futuristic buildings, shops, housing and offices, as well as many green spaces, parks and gardens. It is also home to cultural and nightlife attractions, such as La Sucrière and its various cultural events, and Docks 40, a bar-restaurant with live music.
A forward-looking district to discover
Previously neglected and overlooked, the Confluence district is now an attractive and lively part of the city.
Its cultural offering stands out in particular. There is La Sucrière and its iconic historical building, which hosts many major exhibitions, and the Musée des Confluences, an amazing architectural structure where the city’s visitors and residents explore the history of humankind.
It is also a great district for shopping with the Confluence Shopping and Leisure Centre, where you can also enjoy a meal and a drink before taking the river shuttle boat called Navigône that runs up the Saône to Bellecour.
What to do in Confluence ?
A pleasant district for a stroll
Those who like to take a stroll will not be disappointed. The panoramic viewpoint at the tip of the Confluence, where the rivers Rhône and Saône meet, is a unique spot to admire the union of nature and modernity. As are the 13 hectares of ponds and 3000 tree species at the Parc de Saône, which runs along the foot of the buildings, delighting strollers and cyclists.
After all that activity, it’s time for a break! And that’s just as well, as the neighbourhood is full of great places to eat. Whether by the water’s edge, in a food court or in a building with modern architecture, here’s our selection of local restaurants:
Places to eat in Confluence
To make the most of the neighbourhood, stay locally, in one of the many hotels in La Confluence or on the other side of the Rhône, just a few tram stops away.
