Major Changes Underway at Lyon’s Westfield Part-Dieu Shopping Center
Lyon, July 13, 2026 – The Westfield Part-Dieu shopping center in Lyon’s 3rd arrondissement is undergoing a significant transformation, with more than 25 stores closing their doors in recent weeks. This series of closures, particularly concentrated in ‘La Lanterne’ wing, has sparked questions among shoppers and local residents. While Westfield management attributes some of these changes to the impending arrival of a colossal 5,000 square meter Zara flagship store, the challenges faced by the 2020 extension are also under scrutiny.
A Wave of Closures in ‘La Lanterne’ Wing
The closures have not gone unnoticed, with many customers observing lowered shutters, empty storefronts, and units concealed by large panels. A Lyon influencer, ‘phil_le_lyonnais,’ even posted a viral video on Instagram, garnering nearly 500,000 views, asking, “What’s happening at Part-Dieu? Is anyone aware of anything?” The influencer claimed “30 stores closed in one week.”
Actu Lyon confirmed the presence of several hundred meters of empty retail space and vacant units in ‘La Lanterne’ wing, an extension of the center opened in 2020. An entire access corridor has been completely closed off, with only a wider passage remaining open near stores like Nespresso, Victoria’s Secret, and Desigual.
Westfield management did not provide an exact number of recent closures. However, an interactive map on the center’s website clearly shows at least 26 unassigned vacant units across two levels in this section. Several prominent brands have indeed ceased operations, including Mod’s Hair, Le Tanneur, Sandro, YellowKorner, Fursac, Balibaris, Bocage, The Kooples, and Muji (across two floors). Les Éclaireurs has also relocated to a larger corner within another aisle.
Westfield management stated, “We have worked in cooperation with the brands in the Lanterne area: some have already been relocated to other units in the center (some have already reopened, like Hugo Boss or Jimmy Fairly) and others are reinforcing their existing spaces within Galeries Lafayette (including Sandro or The Kooples).”
New Zara Flagship and Italian Food Hall on the Horizon
A significant factor driving these changes is the ongoing major construction work for the new 5,000 square meter Zara flagship store, announced on April 1. “Westfield La Part-Dieu has launched a restructuring project for levels 0 and 1 of La Lanterne, designed to notably accommodate a new Zara, consolidating the two existing stores on level 1 into a single flagship. This future space of nearly 5,000 square meters, spread over two levels, will allow the brand to deploy its latest concept, similar to their recent opening in Confluence,” the center’s management explained.
Construction began in July 2026, with the grand opening planned for summer 2027. This ambitious project aims to bring a more popular and high-traffic anchor tenant to the area.
In addition to Zara, the restructuring project also includes the opening of a new Italian food hall, IT Villaggio, on level 1, spanning over 1,800 square meters. This new culinary concept is set to replace Food Society, which closed in June 2024, with its opening announced for late 2026.
Questions Regarding ‘La Lanterne’s’ Initial Performance
The ‘Lanterne’ extension, launched in 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, was initially positioned as a “premium” and “high-end” area. Six years later, its concept is clearly evolving. While Westfield management did not directly address questions about the extension’s initial positioning, several anonymous retailers suggested that ‘La Lanterne’ had been an “failure” due to lower foot traffic compared to other areas of the center. Concerns were also raised about “high-end boutiques that are no longer in vogue,” “not suited to the center’s clientele,” and “rents that were too high,” leading to the demise of some concepts.
Despite the closures, some premium brands like Dior, Nespresso, and Dyson remain. However, the arrival of Zara is expected to mark a more popular shift for this sector, potentially revitalizing it with a significantly larger flow of customers.
The current transformations reflect a strategic repositioning of ‘La Lanterne’ wing, aiming to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and enhance the overall appeal of the Westfield Part-Dieu shopping center.
Source: actu.fr
