public garden in the former cloister is decorated with the work of famous sculptors and is a quiet, urban oasis. In the 17th and 18th centuries the Place Bellecour was created in honour of King Louis XIV. Nowadays, the Place des Terreaux hosts several restaurants and an impressive statue of a woman on a chariot; it is a common sightseeing destination within Lyon. Modern times Jacques-Germain Soufflot expanded the hospital located near the old Rhône bridge, building the Hôtel-Dieu de Lyon along the banks of the river. Today, the hospital is closed. In the 2010s, works were underway to renovate the building, which now hosts a five-star InterContinental hotel, shops, offices, apartments and the new Cité de la gastronomie. Numerous hôtels particuliers were built in the vicinity of the Place Bellecour. The Hôtel du Gouverneur, built in 1730, now houses the Musée des Tissus (Museum of Textiles) and the Hôtel de Lacroix Laval, designed by Soufflot, is now the Museum of Decorative Arts. In 1855, during France's Second Empire period, Claude-Marius Vaïsse, Prefect of the Rhône département, created the Rue de la République and Rue Édouard-Herriot as part of a series of large construction projects. The Stock Exchange, built in 1860, is an example of the Napoleon III style and is in the heart of the banking district. In the 19th century, two theatres were built: the Célestins Theatre and the Grand Theatre, the latter of which is now the opera house, rebuilt in 1993 by Jean Nouvel. These are two of the city’s major cultural centres. Though the business centre is located to the east in the 3rd arrondissement, road signs pointing to the centre of the city take drivers to Place Bellecour in the 2nd. This zone is served by the metro lines , and . See also History of Lyon References External links Informations sur le site Lyon.fr Association œuvrant pour la connaissance et la préservation du patrimoine de la Presqu'île Site of the Mayor of the second arrondissement Hôtels and restaurants site tendancepresquile.org Site Lyonphotos - The presqu'île under snow Lyon : The Presqu'île by vélo'v Sur la Presqu'île : some traboules. 1st arrondissement of Lyon 2nd arrondissement of Lyon Quarters of Lyon Tourist attractions in Lyon