Carré de Soie Shopping Centre in Vaulx-en-Velin Announces Major New Openings
Vaulx-en-Velin, June 1, 2026 – The Carré de Soie shopping centre, located in Vaulx-en-Velin, near Lyon, is set to welcome several new establishments, including an Adidas XXL outlet store, an O’Tacos restaurant, and a large leisure park. These developments are part of a broader revitalisation effort aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and attracting a wider customer base.
Extensive Renovations Conclude, Boosting Footfall
François Porte, director of the Carré de Soie shopping centre, confirmed that extensive renovation work has recently been completed. The transformation involved renovating facades, installing canopies, creating new green spaces, and establishing rest areas. “The objective was to improve the visitor experience and their journey within the centre,” Porte stated. He expressed personal pride in the outcome, noting that the centre now offers a pleasant environment for visitors.
These improvements appear to be yielding positive results. Since the beginning of 2026, the centre has recorded a 15.3% increase in footfall. Over the past twelve months, the rise is nearly 4%. Porte highlighted that despite a challenging economic climate, particularly in the popular eastern Lyon area, the centre has successfully attracted new visitors, indicating a favourable return on investment.
New Retailers and Dining Options Enhance Offerings
Despite some national store closures in recent years, such as Jennifer, Camaïeu, and Gibert Joseph, the centre’s current momentum has attracted a wave of new businesses. In the last quarter of 2025, six new stores opened. Among these are two restaurants that have seen significant success: Le Paradis du Fruit, which has achieved unprecedented performance since its 2009 opening, and Black & White Burger, a brand that aligns well with the centre’s clientele.
Other recent additions include a Cigkoftem kiosk, specialising in Turkish-inspired vegan cuisine, and Normal, an 800 m² store that has experienced an excellent start. Additionally, Enjoué by Rejoué, a social and solidarity economy structure focused on toy recycling and professional integration, has been provided with a free space within the centre.
Further openings are imminent. An Adidas Outlet store, spanning 1,300 m², is scheduled to open on August 10, replacing Gibert Joseph. This will be the largest Adidas outlet in the region, significantly larger than the one in Villefontaine, complementing the existing Nike Factory outlet. Optical Center is set to open in early July in the former Camaïeu premises, and O’Tacos is expected to open its doors by late June or early July. A new food kiosk, Crépy, run by a local entrepreneur from Villeurbanne, will also open within the next two weeks.
Major Leisure Park to Transform Former Boulanger Space
A significant project is underway to fill the space left by Boulanger. A large, 2,500 m² leisure park will be established, offering immersive experiences, role-playing games, digital activities, interactive attractions, and a bowling alley. This extensive project will require considerable renovation work to adapt the premises, which were originally designed for conventional retail. The opening of the leisure park is anticipated in the first quarter of 2027.
The name of the new leisure park operator remains confidential at the request of the brand, pending the official submission of the urban planning application. However, Porte confirmed that it is a French company not yet present in the Lyon metropolitan area. Its arrival is expected to significantly enhance the centre’s leisure offerings and complement existing attractions like Mini World.
Low Vacancy Rate Reflects Centre’s Attractiveness
Despite the various changes in tenancy, the Carré de Soie shopping centre maintains a remarkably low commercial vacancy rate of just 4%. This is notably lower than the national average of 11.6%. This figure underscores the centre’s strong appeal to both visitors and retailers, demonstrating its robust market position and successful management strategies.
The ongoing developments and strategic additions position Carré de Soie as a dynamic and attractive destination in the eastern Lyon region, promising an enriched experience for shoppers and leisure-seekers alike.
