The estate was the historic seat of the Lacroix-Laval family before being acquired by the Greater Lyon metropolitan area in 1980.
The park contains a conservatoire of regional fruit varieties, preserving genetic diversity of apples, pears, and plums.
The on-site Château de Lacroix-Laval features a collection of over 2,000 puppets, marionettes, and related theatrical artifacts.
The park is classified as a ZNIEFF (Zone Naturelle d'Intérêt Écologique, Faunistique et Floristique), highlighting its value for biodiversity.
The kitchen garden, or potager, is cultivated using organic methods and serves as a teaching space for sustainable horticulture.
The Domaine de Lacroix-Laval is a 115-hectare public park located on the western outskirts of Lyon, serving as a designated sensitive natural area. The estate features an 18th-century château, which houses the Museum of Puppetry Arts, alongside extensive woodland, meadows, and structured gardens. A network of walking trails connects several ponds, a botanical conservatory, and orchards containing heritage fruit tree varieties. The landscape was originally designed in the English style, emphasizing naturalistic vistas and topography. It serves as a regional center for ecological conservation and biodiversity education. The grounds include a dedicated rose garden that displays numerous species of local and international roses.
The facade of the château looking across the formal reflection pond.
Bring a picnic, as the designated lawn areas are specifically maintained for public leisure.
Use the perimeter trails to access the quieter, more densely wooded sections of the park away from the central château.
Check the official park map upon entry to locate the seasonal rose blooming cycles.
Attempting to traverse the entire 115-hectare estate on foot without water, as the paths can be extensive and hilly.
The park is open daily year-round, though the interior museum exhibition hours vary by season.
Cyclists must stick to designated paths; pets are permitted on a leash in most areas but prohibited in the formal gardens.
