must-visit in LyonPark & Garden

Parc de la Tête d’Or

📍 Parc de la Tête d’Or, Lyon, France

1 photos

4.6/ 5.0

★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location: France, Lyon
Category: Park & Garden
Duration: 2-3 hours
Opening Hours: High season (15 April–14 October): 06:30–22:30; low season (15 October–14 April): 06:30–20:30; last entry 15 minutes before closing; the park closes when wind speeds exceed 70 km/h
Ticket Price: Free Admission: free · The park, botanical garden and zoo are all free to enter
Address: Parc de la Tête d’Or, Lyon, France
Coordinates: 45.7786, 4.8521

Introduction

Opened in 1856, Lyon's great urban park spreads across roughly 117 hectares and is routinely cited as one of France's largest. A sixteen-hectare lake anchors the middle, rentable pedal boats circling it; the free zoo is a French-family rite of passage, its African plain section showing giraffes and zebras across a water moat. The botanical garden's glasshouses and the rose garden carry their own fame, the latter hosting an international new-rose competition each year. The odd name comes from legend of a golden head buried in the lake.

✨ Highlights

117 Hectares

A giant riverside green built for runners, cyclists and picnic blankets alike.

Free Zoo

Giraffes, lions and an African plain section - unusual in France for charging nothing.

Glasshouses

Tropical and orchid houses among the country's biggest botanical collections.

Rose Garden

The judging ground of an annual international new-rose contest, spectacular in bloom.

Boats and Train

Pedal boats on the lake and a little train threading the park keep children busy.

🛈 Practical Info

→Cost：Park and zoo are free; pedal boats, the little train and special glasshouse shows charge separately.

→Route：The Cité Internationale's food market borders the north side - a natural lunch stop.

→Timing：Weekends bring family floods; weekday mornings are best for the animals.

→Opening Hours：High season (15 April–14 October): 06:30–22:30; low season (15 October–14 April): 06:30–20:30; last entry 15 minutes before closing; the park closes when wind speeds exceed 70 km/h

→Transportation：Metro Line A's Parc station lets you off near the southern edge.

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Free Admission	free

The park, botanical garden and zoo are all free to enter

💡 Tips

• Animals are liveliest at feeding times - grab the schedule as you enter the zoo.

• Pedal boats charge per half hour; a full lap takes about forty, so book the hour slot.

• The rose garden peaks in early June; morning light and thinner crowds make the best photos.

• A lap of the lake runs four to five kilometres - regulars keep to the outer path.

• Picnic lawns are free-for-all; on weekends the good spots go early.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Parc de la Tête d’Or?

High season (15 April–14 October): 06:30–22:30; low season (15 October–14 April): 06:30–20:30; last entry 15 minutes before closing; the park closes when wind speeds exceed 70 km/h

How much is the admission for Parc de la Tête d’Or?

Free Admission: free; The park, botanical garden and zoo are all free to enter

Any practical tips for visiting Parc de la Tête d’Or?

Animals are liveliest at feeding times - grab the schedule as you enter the zoo. Pedal boats charge per half hour; a full lap takes about forty, so book the hour slot.