What are Lyon’s most famous parks?

The Parc de la Tête d’Or (Golden Head park) is the most famous and also one of the largest parks in Lyon. Covering 117 hectares, this impressive nature sanctuary was established in 1857. Its name comes from the legend that crusaders buried a treasure there, including a golden head of Christ.

With its stunning botanical gardens, its large lake (ideal for boating) and a free zoo with hundreds of animals, all of this in the centre of the city, it is a popular destination. It is also a great place for sports enthusiasts. Its size and the number of paths allow runners and cyclists to have a great time.

Located in the south of the city on the banks of the Rhône, the 80 hectare Parc de Gerland is dedicated to sport and the discovery of flora. It was designed by the famous French landscape architect Michel Corajoud. There you will find:

• A vast grassy playground
• A play area for children
• A walkway along a canal lined with 300 species of plants (ligneous, grasses, etc.), divided in 6 thematic plots
• A skatepark
• A system that creates artificial fog
• Special lighting and ambient sounds for an immersive experience in the night until 10pm.

This is a nice place to enjoy outdoor activities in an urban environment.

Unlike the previous two parks, which were large open spaces, why not change a bit for a 400 m² garden? The Jardin Rosa Mir is a hidden gem in the Croix-Rousse district, open only in spring and summer.

It was created by a refugee from the Spanish dictatorship of Franco, in honour of his mother (hence the name). In 1958, he started accumulating small stones and shells and arranged them in various patterns on the walls to turn an interior courtyard into a unique garden.

Today, in this tiny space, there are more than 5,000 plants imported from the Mediterranean coast, including 4,000 houseleeks.

The parc de Parilly will delight nature lovers visiting or living in Lyon! Shared by the cities of Bron and Vénissieux (south-east of Lyon), it offers many sports facilities, including:

• 10 football pitches
• 12 basketball courts
• 1 rugby pitch
• 1 racecourse
• 15 km of cycle paths
• Running tracks…

But it is also known for its dense woods. With more than 18,000 trees spread over 178 hectares, including maple, cedar, lime, pine, red oak, birch, fir… It’s the perfect setting for a lovely Sunday walk or a picnic with your loved ones.

The parc des Hauteurs (Heights park) lives up to its name! It is located on the Fourvière hill, with its iconic basilica that can be seen from everywhere in Lyon. This park is famous for its scenic walks, which will give you moments of awe as you discover all the vantage points from which you can see Lyon in its entirety.

Along the way, you will come across beautiful sites such as several gardens of historic buildings that show the richness of Lyon’s architecture, such as the Jardins de la Visitation, next to a former convent. The chemin du viaduc (viaduct walkway), at a height of 80 metres, offers an incredible view of the Croix-Rousse hill and multiple gardens.

These are just a few examples of what you will find when you visit this park and we recommend that you take the time to discover it when you come to Lyon!

Located to the north-east of Lyon, the Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage is a large open space covering 2,200 hectares, including a 350-hectare lake.

There, you can enjoy a wide array of activities, such as badminton, golf or archery. On the lake you can enjoy water activities such as swimming, rowing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and sailing. This park also has two restaurants, which is handy if you are spending the whole day there… unless you want to have a picnic!

The grand parc de Miribel-Jonage is also the perfect place to learn more about the environment and its protection, through exhibitions at L’îloz’ and 5 trails specially designed for a family walk in nature.

Created in 1913 by the landscape gardener René-Edouard André, this wooded park (1,200 trees, with a remarkable collection of oaks) includes a striking villa built between 1911 and 1913 by Joseph Folléa in the Toscanese style. The property once belonged to the Gillet family, who owned chemical factories on the banks of the Saône. It was acquired by Lyon in 1976 and a vineyard was planted in 1986 by the association République des Canuts.

Decorated with contemporary sculptures, the park is the perfect place for families, with its 2 playgrounds for children and its fitness circuit, which will be appreciated by those who wish to practise sport in Lyon.

If you like ancient monuments, the Île Barbe (from the Latin insula barbara, unspoiled island) is made for you. This small island in the middle of the Saône river is accessible and has a whole public section that visitors can enjoy. The island is famous for its ancient abbey and hosts a museum dedicated to Lyon’s painter Jean Couty. If you want to have a taste of Lyon’s food, a gourmet restaurant, L’Auberge de l’Île Barbe, is there for you!

Lyon’s parks are diverse and offer a wide range of environments and activities. Whether you want to take a pleasant stroll under the trees, practise an intense physical activity or just enjoy a sunny day in a green setting, you will have many options to choose from. Are you thinking of coming to Lyon? If you want to plan a touristic trip, find out more at https://en.visiterlyon.com/. And if you want to study in Lyon or come to work there and you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us!