The shared courtyard located at the heart of block A3 constitutes, together with the public pathways and other smaller courtyards, a gardened center for the quartier du Marché, a dense city district, supplementing the urban fabric of Lyon on the peninsula. In treating these spaces in a continuous and uniform manner, they form one of the principal distinguishing features of the new urban district. With the courtyard being largely open, incorporating the surrounding public pathways and streets, the life of the block becomes concentrated within: flows of movement and access to buildings are centralized, while the whole takes on a diverse variety of functions.

By resurfacing the ground in decomposed granite and establishing a considerable presence of taller varieties of trees, the courtyard assumes a look and spirit similar to many exterior spaces in Lyon. The noble and simple design encourages residents and users of the collective space to take advantage of the courtyard at any time.

The canopy of tall trees visible from the encircling buildings plays a decisive role in how the courtyard is used. The preference in planting deciduous local tree varieties allows for the filtering of sunlight in summer while helping ensure sunshine in winter, adding to the space's overall thermal comfort. Clearings carved out throughout the mass of trees create spaces for use and enjoyment. Furniture elements, such as tables, chairs, chaises lounges, create an environment in which residents can interact.

In bringing together a variety of uses in one place, the courtyard as a whole helps bring to life the collective space of the block. A large plant presence around the base of certain trees, along with the occasional presence of plant-lined ditches, allows for the creation of more intimate spaces. Three plant-lined ditches are designed to run alongside the buildings in order to maintain the privacy of ground-floor residents in relation to those using the courtyard, while freeing up a maximum amount of space at the center. The principal function of these ditches lies in collecting, filtering, and storing runoff water.

Within the courtyard, a number of private gardens are protected from prying eyes by dense plant fencing.