Place Gailleton is located just off Quai Dr Gailleton, with the square facing the River Rhône. The square was created in 1777 and was initially called Place Grolier, named for an influential Lyon family. The name changed to Place Gailleton in 1913, when the monument to Dr Antoine Gailleton (1929-1904) was installed. The bust of Gailleton is a 1959 replacement and made of stone, the original bust created 1913 was cast in bronze and melted down in 1942. The bust sits on a pedestal within an arch, with two statues representing Lyon looking over plans for enhancing the city.
The arch has reliefs of lions, while on the right at the side is a bas-relief of a woman with the university buildings, (the university is directly in front of the monument on the other side of the river.) On the left side is a bas-relief of a woman holding a torch, looking towards the Grolée Quarter of Lyon. In the foreground of the monument is a fountain installed in 2003 and garden area with places to sit.
Dr Antoine Gailleton was chief surgeon at Antiquaille Hospital, (no longer in use as a hospital) and professor at the Faculty of Lyon. He was mayor from 26th April, 1881 to 20th May, 1900. He was born and died in Lyon.
During his time as mayor he was much responsible for buildings and changing the city landscape. Some of his achievements were: Helping to establish the university and reconstructing the Grolée Quarter, both depicted in bas-relief on his monument. Repaired and built bridges, put in electric trams, constructed a number of primary schools, put a health office in place and many monuments were installed during his time in office, including the beautiful Bartholdi Fountain, he purchased it when it became to expensive for Bordeaux.
There are a couple of restaurants in the square not much else. This is an area to take some time out, sit and look across the river to other side.