The Part-Dieu

The districts of Lyon

Last updated date : 28/04/2026

France's No. 2 business district after La Défense, Part-Dieu is an ultra-dynamic area that seamlessly blends modernity and activity. Under the shadow of imposing skyscrapers, explore this district while imbibing its unique atmosphere.

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History

Established on an old estate known as the "Pardeu", in reference to the "gift of God" made on this marshy and fertile land, Part-Dieu was for a long time covered with fields and insalubrious patches of land, a far cry from its ultra-modern appearance today. Once the property of bourgeois families, the area was taken over by the Civil Hospices of Lyon before being converted into a military barracks.

The transformation of the district began during the 1960s, when the government of the time was seeking to develop the country's metropolitan areas as "decision-making centres" including a business, administrative, cultural, commercial and residential hub. In Lyon, the choice fell on the Part-Dieu district; Lyonnais architect and urban planner Charles Delfante was commissioned to mastermind the operation.

A modern district in perpetual motion

The Halles car park, the Tour Part-Dieu tower (locally known as "The Pencil"), the Auditorium, the municipal library and the shopping centre radically altered the Lyon landscape with their towering, resolutely modern architecture. Meanwhile, the Part-Dieu rail freight station was transformed into a passenger station designed to accommodate the so-called "turbo train", which turned out to be nothing other than France's iconic TGV. The new Gare de Part-Dieu replaced the old Brotteaux station, making the district an important entry point into the city.

The district has expanded continuously since then, sprouting new skyscrapers that have shaped the modern city's signature skyline.

The must-sees of the Part-Dieu district

Take a stroll through the aisles of the Halles Paul Bocuse indoor market hall and taste some of Lyon's many gastronomic delights.
Sip a cocktail or dive into a gourmet menu in the Celest Bar, 150 metres up on the 32^nd floor of the Pencil Tower.
Go shopping in the Westfield Part-Dieu shopping centre and finish with a coffee on the rooftop.
Listen to a classical concert at the Auditorium-Orchestre National de Lyon.
Browse the shelves of the Bibliothèque de la Part-Dieu, France's largest municipal library (27,290 m²).
Take part in a cooking or pastry workshop at the Atelier Gourmand.