Parc de la Tête d'or, Lyon

Park in Lyon

Parc de la Tête d'Or is one of the top attractions in Lyon and the place locals escape to when they need a real break from city life. Spreading over more than 100 hectares, it feels less like an urban park and more like a piece of countryside that somehow landed in the middle of town. Joggers stick to the lakeside paths, families set up picnics on the lawns, and couples drift past in rowing boats while the skyline of the 6th arrondissement peeks through the trees.

What makes the park so special is the variety of experiences it packs into a single space. One moment you're wandering through a quiet wooded corner, the next you're watching giraffes at the free zoo or stepping into a greenhouse filled with exotic plants. There are pony rides, a miniature train, a rosarium that explodes with colour in late spring, and plenty of benches for doing absolutely nothing at all. It's a highlight of any walking tour of Lyon if you want to see where residents actually go to breathe, move and reset.

History and Significance of the Parc de la Tête d’Or
Things to See and Do in the Parc de la Tête d’Or
How to Get to the Parc de la Tête d’Or
Practical Tips on Visiting the Parc de la Tête d’Or
Where to Stay close to the Parc de la Tête d’Or
Is the Parc de la Tête d’Or Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Parc de la Tête d’Or
Nearby Attractions to the Parc de la Tête d’Or

History and Significance of the Parc de la Tête d’Or

Parc de la Tête d'Or was created in the 19th century, at a time when many European cities were building large public parks as “green lungs” for their growing populations. Lyon chose a site on the northern edge of the city, near the Rhône, and designed a landscape that combined broad lawns, winding paths and a sizeable artificial lake. From the outset, it was meant as a place where all social classes could enjoy nature, leisure and fresh air.

The park’s name, which translates as “Park of the Golden Head”, comes from a local legend that a treasure - possibly a golden Christ head - was once buried somewhere on the site. Nothing has ever been found, but the story adds a layer of mystery to an otherwise very down-to-earth place. Over time, the park has grown and evolved, with the addition of greenhouses, a botanical garden, a zoo and various leisure facilities, yet it still retains the 19th-century ideal of a carefully designed but welcoming landscape.

Today, Parc de la Tête d'Or is woven into the daily life of Lyon. It's where people learn to ride bikes, train for races, meet friends, walk dogs and clear their heads on weekday evenings. For visitors, it offers a different perspective on the city: instead of museums and monuments, you see how Lyonnais use their free time and how seriously the city takes its green spaces. It's not just pretty; it's part of the city's identity and quality of life.

Things to See and Do in the Parc de la Tête d’Or

Start at the main gates and make your way towards the lake, which sits at the heart of the park. On warm days, you can rent a rowing boat or pedal boat and drift between tiny islands, watching the tree-lined banks slip by from water level. Even if you stay on land, the path around the lake is perfect for a leisurely walk or run, with constant views of reflections, ducks and changing light.

The botanical garden and greenhouses are a must for plant lovers. You’ll find thousands of species arranged in themed areas, from carefully labelled outdoor beds to steamy glasshouses filled with tropical plants. The nearby rosarium is especially beautiful in late spring and summer, when waves of roses fill the air with scent and colour. It’s easy to lose track of time here if you enjoy photography or simply like wandering amongst flowers.

Families should make a beeline for the park’s free zoo, which is home to animals such as giraffes, zebras, antelopes and monkeys. While it isn’t huge, it’s an impressive extra in a public park and a guaranteed hit with kids. Younger visitors can also enjoy pony rides, playgrounds and the miniature train that trundles around sections of the park. If you prefer quiet corners, head into the wooded areas or find a bench near the flowerbeds and watch the ebb and flow of park life around you.

How to Get to the Parc de la Tête d’Or

Most international visitors arrive via Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which is well connected to cities across Europe and beyond; from the airport, the Rhônexpress tram brings you into central Lyon, where you can connect to buses or the metro to reach the 6th arrondissement and the park entrances. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.

If you're travelling by train, Lyon Part-Dieu is the closest major station to Parc de la Tête d'Or. From there, it's a short bus, tram, or metro ride, or even a walk if you don't mind a bit of distance, to reach the park's southern or eastern gates; from Lyon Perrache, you can also connect by public transport through the Presqu'île and then north to the park area. You can use SNCF Connect to check schedules, compare routes, and purchase tickets for National (SNCF ) and regional trains (TER). For a more streamlined experience, we recommend using Omio, which allows you to easily compare prices, schedules, and book tickets for both National and Regional travel across all of Europe, all in one place.

Arriving by car, follow signs towards the 6th arrondissement and Parc de la Tête d'Or, where you'll find on-street parking and a few car parks in the surrounding neighbourhood, though spaces can be limited on sunny weekends and holidays. If you are looking to rent a car in France I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. Once parked, it’s best to explore the park entirely on foot, by bike or with a rented boat on the lake.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Parc de la Tête d’Or

Suggested tips: Bring a picnic blanket, some snacks and plenty of water-once you’re inside, you’ll probably want to stay longer than planned.
Best time to visit: Spring and early summer are ideal for flowers and soft light, but autumn colours are beautiful too; weekday mornings are quieter, while sunny weekends are lively and full of local life.
Entrance fee: Free entry to the park, botanical garden and zoo; small fees apply for boats, miniature train and some children’s activities.
Opening hours: Open daily, generally from 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM (hours may vary slightly by season)
How long to spend: Allow at least 2-3 hours if you want to see the lake, zoo and botanical gardens; a full afternoon is perfect for a relaxed visit with time to linger.
Accessibility: Main paths are broad and mostly flat, making them suitable for wheelchairs and strollers, though some side paths and older areas can be uneven.
Facilities: Expect toilets, kiosks, snack stands and a few cafés inside or just outside the park, plus playgrounds, benches and dedicated cycling and jogging routes.
Photography tip: Aim for early morning or late afternoon to catch soft light on the lake and through the trees; the greenhouses, rosarium and zoo also offer great detail shots.
Guided tours: Occasionally, themed walks or botanic-focused tours are available, but even self-guided visitors will find plenty of information boards around the main attractions.
Nearby food options: The 6th arrondissement around the park is full of bakeries, cafés and brasseries-ideal for picking up picnic supplies or rounding off your park visit with a proper meal.

Where to Stay close to the Parc de la Tête d’Or

For easy access to the park and a refined neighbourhood feel, Hôtel Le Roosevelt is a solid choice in the 6th arrondissement. From here, you can stroll to Parc de la Tête d'Or in around 10-15 minutes, then head back to enjoy nearby restaurants and quiet residential streets.

If you prefer staying closer to the Rhône while still being within walking distance of the park, Okko Hotels Lyon Pont Lafayette offers contemporary rooms just across the river from the Presqu'île. It's a short, pleasant walk up Boulevard des Belges to reach the southern entrance of Parc de la Tête d'Or.

Another good option is Hôtel de la Cité Concorde Lyon, located near the modern Cité Internationale complex and right next to the park's northern edge. Staying here gives you immediate access to green space, the riverfront and cultural venues, while still being a simple bus or tram ride from central Lyon.

Is the Parc de la Tête d’Or Worth Visiting?

Parc de la Tête d'Or is absolutely worth visiting and quickly becomes one of those places you'll want to return to more than once. It's rare to find a park that combines a lake, a free zoo, botanical gardens and wide-open lawns in such a central location, all while feeling genuinely used and loved by locals. Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple or with kids, it offers a deep breath of fresh air between museum visits and old-town wanderings-and might just be the place where Lyon feels most liveable.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (59,429)

Parc de la Tête d'Or on Boulevard des Belges is a vast 19th-century urban park offering tree-lined paths, lawns for picnics, a large lake with boat rentals and a small island, botanical and rose gardens, a free zoological area, outdoor sculptures and fountains, a contemporary art museum, cafés, and plenty of space for biking, jogging or a full afternoon's stroll; visitors note its diversity and scale — train tours and looped walks take time to cover, and it's well suited to families and relaxed days outdoors.

Catalin Hulea

a week ago

"Probably the most beautiful park in Lyon, and one of the most beautiful parks in France. What I really liked is that, although the park is not verylarge (it covers just over 100 hectares), it is extremely diverse. In addition to tree-lined paths and picnic areas, it features a very interesting botanical garden (with free entry), a lake containing a small island (Lac de la Tête d'or), and a tiny wharf from which you can rent boats for trips on the lake, a museum (the Museum of Contemporary Art), dozens of beautiful statues (the most impressive, in my opinion, being the Monument aux Morts pour les Enfants du Rhône, located in front of the spectacular Porte des Enfants du Rhône), and even a small zoo - which I did not visit, as I do not agree with keeping animals in captivity, especially since, before visiting the park, I searched for information online and found out that the animals are kept in very small cages. That is why, even though I liked the park very much, I am only giving it 3 stars instead of 5...."

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Dimitris

2 months ago

"Beautiful and very large park! It has a free zoo, a big lake where you can just relax or even rent a small boat, and plenty of space for biking.There are also cafés inside the park. Definitely worth a visit!..."

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Liam Stone

4 months ago

"Fantastic Park and is absolutely massive. We didn’t realise the scale and size of it until we took the little train tour around it which was over 20minutes and stopped twice. There is a large outdoor zoo space boat pedal bikes, botanical Gardens and loads of stop offs for ice cream. You could genuinely spend all day there and would have a great time. Very fun and close to the bus stops for local bus back to the train station...."

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FAQs for Visiting Parc de la Tête d’Or

The park sits just north-east of the city centre, on the edge of the 6th arrondissement, close to the Rhône river and the Cité Internationale complex.

Yes, entry to the park and its zoo is free, which makes it especially popular with families and locals; only certain activities like boat rental or rides have separate charges.

Cycling is allowed on many of the main paths, and you’ll see plenty of bikes, but it’s important to respect pedestrians and posted signs indicating any restricted areas.

Picnics are very common, with people using the lawns and benches throughout the park, though open fires and barbecues are not permitted.

Generally yes; it’s a well-used city park where people jog, walk and relax throughout the day, though as always you should keep an eye on your belongings and be cautious after dark in quieter corners.

Nearby Attractions to the Parc de la Tête d’Or

Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse - Lyon's famous covered food market, a short metro or bus ride away, perfect for stocking up on picnic treats before heading to the park.
Cité Internationale - A modern complex of offices, hotels and cultural venues along the Rhône, including the Convention Centre and riverside paths.
Musée d'Art Contemporain de Lyon - Contemporary art museum next to the park's northern edge, often hosting bold, thought-provoking exhibitions.
Rhône River Quays - Redeveloped riverbanks ideal for walking, running or cycling between the park and the Presqu’île.
Brotteaux District - A stylish area just south of the park, known for its historic station building, restaurants and bars.

The Parc de la Tête d'or appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Lyon!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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