The Part Dieu's central business district is situated in the third borough of Lyon. The area was originally a military barracks, but now it is the second business district in France, after “La Défense” in Paris. Charles Delfante, a technical adviser, as well as several architects, were instrumental in its initial development. Considered chronologically as Lyon's second CBD, this district now provides work for 45 000 people. Situated on the east bank of the Rhone river, the Part-Dieu is home to a large shopping centre, a major railway station and many office blocks.
It is very easy to get to the Part-Dieu, especially by public transport, that is to say, trams (the lines T1, T2, T3, T4), buses and the subway. Indeed, many bus and tram lines have their terminus at the Part-Dieu and line B of the subway goes through the Part-Dieu CBD. And there is also the large Part-Dieu railway station, which opened its doors in 1983 and which is right next to the shopping centre: today it is Lyon's main railway station. Indeed, it is the number one station for passenger connections in Europe, with HST (High Speed Trains) going to major European and other French cities.
Urban planners have been very keen to make the Part-Dieu a cultural hub for the region.