Parc de la Tête d'Or
One of France's largest city parks, with a lake, a free zoo, a rose garden and a large greenhouse, ideal for a relaxed half-day.
Parc de la Tête d'Or was built in 1857. It covers about 117 hectares on the east bank of the Rhône, and its name comes from a legend that a golden head of Christ was buried here. At its center is an artificial lake of about 16 hectares, where you can rent small boats. An island in the lake holds a memorial to the soldiers who died in World War I. The park's zoo is free to enter, and its 'African Plains' area houses giraffes, zebras and other animals. The 19th-century greenhouse of iron and glass houses tropical plants. The International Rose Garden has several hundred varieties and tens of thousands of roses, and it is at its most beautiful in May and June. The park also has a botanical garden and a children's play area. A loop around the lake is about 4 km, suitable for jogging or riding Vélo'v shared bicycles. Beside the north gate, the Cité Internationale houses the MAC Lyon contemporary art museum. Entry to the park is free, making it ideal for families or for a relaxing half-day in a city itinerary. Getting there: take metro line A to Masséna or Foch station and walk about 10 minutes, or take bus C1 to Cité Internationale.
Opening hours
Mid-April to mid-October 6:30 am–10:30 pm; winter 6:30 am–8:30 pm
Nearby sights
- Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse
- La Croix-Rousse & Traboules
- Place des Terreaux & Hôtel de Ville
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon
- Church of Saint-Nizier
- Mur des Canuts
- Rue Mercière
- Grand Hôtel-Dieu & Cité de la Gastronomie