Parc de la Tête d'Or

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The park contains a specialized tropical greenhouse complex spanning 6,500 square meters.

2. 2

   The zoo participates in European Endangered Species Programmes and manages breeding for species like the red panda.

3. 3

   The park was designed by landscape architects Denis and Eugène Bühler, inspired by English-style gardens.

4. 4

   The 16-hectare lake allows for rowboat rentals during the warmer months.

5. 5

   The International Rose Trial Ground, located within the park, tests new rose varieties for global commercial distribution.

6. 6

   A commemorative 'Porte des Enfants du Rhône' gate serves as the primary ceremonial entrance.

7. 7

   The park's layout was influenced by the 'Haussmannization' movement in French urban planning.

8. 8

   Several botanical collections here are classified as national heritage, including the Camellia collection.

Overview

Parc de la Tête d'Or is one of the largest urban parks in France, covering 117 hectares in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon. Established in 1857, the site features a 16-hectare lake created by diverting the Rhône river. The park houses a free-access municipal zoo, which focuses on the conservation of endangered species. Its botanical garden, one of the oldest in the country, includes extensive greenhouses dating back to the 19th century. Visitors can explore a large rose garden containing thousands of varieties. The park provides wide lawns, a velodrome, and a mini-golf course. It serves as a major green lung for Lyon and is situated near the Cité Internationale district. The name refers to a legend about a golden head of Christ supposedly buried within the park grounds.

Insider tips

• Rent a rowboat on the lake to see the park from a different perspective.

• Check the zoo's schedule in advance for feeding times to see animals at their most active.

• Use the perimeter paths if you are looking to jog or cycle, as they are separated from pedestrian walkways.