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Tête d'Or park, LyonTête d'Or park, Lyon

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Explo writer
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fritz
24675 pts.
  • Off the path Explo
    24 %
    Off the path Explo rate
    Score
    1.2 / 5
    Comments
    This park is very famous. But also very nice!
  • Article Quality
    100 %
    Article Quality rate
    • Score
      5 / 5
      Comments
      Very complete description and tips Fritz!
    • Score
      5 / 5
      Comments
      Yes, very complete. With a plan!
    • Score
      5 / 5
      Comments
      Yes many!
    • Score
      5 / 5
      Comments
      Yes!
    • Score
      5 / 5
      Comments
      Yes!
  • Explo Popularity
    %

In the North of Lyon, an ideal place to get fresh ideas, just a few steps from the Rhône river.

My experience, Explo description: 

"To offer the countryside to those who do not have it", the elected representatives of Lyon decided in 1856 on the creation of a vast green space. The Tête d’Or (Golden head) domain was bought for that purpose. The works began in 1857 and lasted 5 years long. The conception was confided to the brothers Eugène and Denis Bühler, who were landscape designers.

The park covers a 105 hectare surface. You can penetrate there by 7 entrances. The most remarkable of which is the entrance of the Porte des Enfants, which opens on the perspective of a 16 hectare lake : the centre of the landscaped composition. The vast romantic lawns alternate with centenary trees, flower bushes, a botanical garden, greenhouses, a zoo...

The Zoo :

It extends over 6 hectares and hosts more than 600 sorts of animals. Among the most spectacular installations, you can notice the elephant, giraffes and bears enclosures… An important sector is dedicated to the Primates.

The " African Plain " has for ambition to recreate several biotopes of this continent : tropical savana, wet zones, rain forest (with the Lemurs island).

The rose garden :

The International Rose garden of Lyon extends over 40 000m² and accounts 30,000 rosebushes distributed in 350 varieties...

Highlights 2 :

The botanical garden :

It extends over 8 hectares, among which 6500m2 are greenhouses.

There are conducted tours : information and bookings : 04.72.69.47.78 linda [dot] soumari [at] mairie-lyon [dot] fr

  • The Big Greenhouse ( 1877-1881 ) is 21m of height and possesses a glass and metal architecture, typical of the end of 19th century. Rebuilt as a matter of urgency in 1970, it appears now in the inventory of historic monuments, and it progressively recover its original aspect.
  • You shall not miss to visit the greenhouse dedicated to carnivorous plants, maybe one of the nicest, from an aesthetic point of view, and for sure the most curious.
  • An other greenhouse is dedicated to Victoria, plants whose leaves can achieve 1m50 of diameter.
  • Do not also miss the Madagascar greenhouse, the Alpine garden, the Mexican garden, the floral garden.

Highlights 3 :

Numerous possibilities of sports activities in the park, like jogging, cycling, boatin

The rose garden :

The International Rose garden of Lyon extends over 40 000m² and accounts 30,000 rosebushes distributed in 350 varieties...

Highlights 2 :

The botanical garden :

It extends over 8 hectares, among which 6500m2 are greenhouses.

There are conducted tours : information and bookings : 04.72.69.47.78 linda [dot] soumari [at] mairie-lyon [dot] fr

  • The Big Greenhouse ( 1877-1881 ) is 21m of height and possesses a glass and metal architecture, typical of the end of 19th century. Rebuilt as a matter of urgency in 1970, it appears now in the inventory of historic monuments, and it progressively recover its original aspect.
  • You shall not miss to visit the greenhouse dedicated to carnivorous plants, maybe one of the nicest, from an aesthetic point of view, and for sure the most curious.
  • An other greenhouse is dedicated to Victoria, plants whose leaves can achieve 1m50 of diameter.
  • Do not also miss the Madagascar greenhouse, the Alpine garden, the Mexican garden, the floral garden.

Numerous possibilities of sports activities in the park, like jogging, cycling, boating on the lake …

My personal recommendations: 

To go to the park at the morning during the week. Far from the crowd of week ends, you can hear the birds singing in the middle of flowers and herb perfumes !

How getting there: 

Métro : A line , Masséna station

Bus : C1 line , Parc de la Tête d’Or stop

A tip to eat: 

You can find in the park a few fast food places.

If you are looking for a much more "elaborated" meal, go to the very near Cité Internationale.

Useful information: 
Open hours: 

Park :
from 15/10 to 14/04 : from 6.30am to 8.30pm
from 15/04 to 14/10 : from 6.30am to 10.30pm

Greenhouses :
from 1/10 to 31/03 : from 9.00am to 4.30pm
from 1/04 to 30/ 09 : from 9.00am to 5.30pm except on Sundays (5.00pm)

Madagascar Greenhouse is closed between 11.30am to 1.30pm.

Entry fees: 

From 1 hour to a whole day.

Entry fees

Free !