The Golden Lion square

Place du Lion d'Or

The Lille audio-guided tour has you discover the charming Place du Lion d'Or, the ideal place to admire the typically Lille architecture. Its name and its façades tell the history of old Lille with great charm.

A former coaching inn

The square once housed an inn that also served as a coaching inn, which earned it its name. According to an amusing tradition, the sign of the Lion d'Or, found in many cities of France, is said to come from the distortion of the phrase "au lit on dort" (in bed one sleeps), a nod to the hotel vocation of the place. The façades that surround it testify to the Flemish and Lille architecture of past centuries.

What there is to see

There you admire in particular a splendid bow-window house on the corner, with its colourful façade and its ornate details. The red bricks, the gables and the typical windows make up a picturesque ensemble, representative of the charm of old Lille. It is a pleasant stop along the walk, away from the bustle of the great squares.

Practical information

Place du Lion d'Or is in old Lille, near the cathedral. It is a public space freely accessible at all hours and on the level. Its façades can be contemplated from the square, along the walk in the old district.

Where does the name Place du Lion d'Or come from?

From a former inn and coaching inn; according to tradition, the name comes from the distortion of the phrase "au lit on dort".

What to see on Place du Lion d'Or?

A splendid bow-window house on the corner of the square and fine Flemish façades representative of old Lille.