Parc des Hauteurs, Lyon

Park in Lyon

CC BY-SA 2.0 / Guilhem Vellut

Parc des Hauteurs is one of the best places to visit in Lyon when you want big views and a bit of calm without ever really leaving the city. Perched high on Fourvière Hill, it isn't a classic park with big lawns and playgrounds; instead, it's a string of elevated paths, terraces and hidden corners connecting the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the Roman theatres, and the Cimetière de Loyasse. You move through trees and along walkways while the city stretches out below, with regular glimpses of terracotta roofs, church towers and the ribbon of the Saône.

What makes this place special is its quietly layered character. One moment you're on a sleek footbridge looking out towards the Alps, the next you're passing old stone walls, sculptures or plaques that hint at centuries of history on the hill. It feels like a green balcony wrapped around Fourvière, a highlight of any walking tour of Lyon that strings together basilica, ruins and viewpoints. Whether you're here for photography, a reflective solo stroll or a breather between sights, Parc des Hauteurs adds a slower, more contemplative dimension to your time in the city.

History and Significance of Parc des Hauteurs
Things to See and Do in Parc des Hauteurs
How to Get to Parc des Hauteurs
Practical Tips on Visiting the Parc des Hauteurs
Where to Stay close to Parc des Hauteurs
Is Parc des Hauteurs Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Parc des Hauteurs
Nearby Attractions to Parc des Hauteurs

History and Significance of Parc des Hauteurs

Fourvière Hill has been important for Lyon since Roman times, and Parc des Hauteurs is built around that long history rather than laid down on a blank slate. The paths you walk today weave between key sites: the basilica that dominates the skyline, the ancient theatres where Lugdunum once staged performances, and the Cimetière de Loyasse, a hillside cemetery with ornate tombs and quiet lanes. Instead of being a single walled park, it's more like a series of green corridors threading these places together.

The concept behind Parc des Hauteurs was to create a continuous pedestrian route along the ridge of the hill, giving residents and visitors a way to enjoy nature and views without cutting themselves off from the city's heritage. Look closely and you'll see how modern walkways intersect with old stone terraces, garden-like pockets and remnants of historic walls. It's an urban design project as much as a park, turning previously separate sites into a connected, walkable whole.

Over time, Parc des Hauteurs has become one of those places that locals quietly cherish. It doesn't shout for attention the way the basilica does, but it's where people come to clear their heads, show visiting friends the view, or cut between landmarks without dropping back down into traffic. For visitors, it offers a chance to experience Fourvière not just as a viewpoint, but as a lived-in hill with its own green rhythm and elevated shortcuts.

Things to See and Do in Parc des Hauteurs

The Passerelle des Quatre Vents is the park's showpiece. This modern footbridge stretches dramatically across the hillside, with open views over the Saône, Vieux Lyon and, on clear days, the distant Alps. Walking across it feels a bit like floating above the city, and it's an excellent spot for photos at sunrise or late afternoon, when the light slants across the rooftops and church towers below.

Beyond the bridge, take time to explore the network of paths and terraces that fan out in both directions. You can follow shaded walkways that link the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière to the Roman theatres, dropping down to explore the ruins before climbing back up into the greenery. Along the way, benches invite you to stop and sit, and you'll occasionally encounter sculptures, viewpoints or historical plaques that add context to the landscape you're moving through.

If you continue towards the Cimetière de Loyasse, the mood shifts into something even quieter and more introspective. The cemetery's ornate tombs and calm paths contrast with the city views you've just left behind, and the combination of trees, stone and skyline gives this part of the park a slightly timeless feel. However you string your route together, the constant themes of Parc des Hauteurs are movement, perspective and pockets of calm.

How to Get to Parc des Hauteurs

Most visitors arriving from further afield will land at Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), which offers frequent connections to major European cities and some long-haul destinations; from the airport, the Rhônexpress tram brings you into central Lyon, where you can connect to metro and funicular lines for Fourvière Hill. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Lyon on Booking.com.

From within Lyon, the easiest route is to take metro Line D to Vieux Lyon - Cathédrale Saint-Jean, then transfer to one of the funicular lines that run up to Fourvière; from the upper station, it's just a short walk to the basilica and into the paths of Parc des Hauteurs.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. You can also walk up from Vieux Lyon via stairways and steep streets if you don’t mind the climb, making the park feel like a reward at the top.

If you’re travelling by car, you can follow signs to Fourvière and look for parking areas near the basilica or along the hill, but spaces are limited and the roads can be narrow and winding.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. Many visitors prefer to park on the Presqu'île or in Vieux Lyon and then use the funicular or tackle the hill on foot, enjoying the gradual unfolding of views as they ascend.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Parc des Hauteurs

Suggested tips: Wear comfortable shoes-the park is more about walking and gentle slopes than sitting on lawns, and paths can be uneven in places.
Best time to visit: Early morning and late afternoon offer softer light and quieter paths; sunset can be spectacular from the Passerelle des Quatre Vents on clear days.
Entrance fee: Free — Parc des Hauteurs is an open public space with no admission charge.
Opening hours: Generally accessible year-round, though some sections or paths may be temporarily closed for maintenance or in bad weather.
Official website: https://en.visiterlyon.com
How long to spend: Allow 45-90 minutes if you’re combining the park with a visit to the basilica or Roman theatres, longer if you like to stop often for photos and viewpoints.
Accessibility: Some sections involve slopes, steps and uneven surfaces, which can be challenging for visitors with reduced mobility; check maps and plan routes that minimise steep gradients where possible.
Facilities: There are benches and occasional information boards within the park; toilets, cafés and shops are found at nearby sites like the basilica or the Roman theatre area rather than inside the park itself.
Photography tip: Bring a lens that can handle both wide cityscapes and closer details-framing the basilica towers, the Saône, and Vieux Lyon from different terraces gives you very different moods.
Guided tours: Some guided walks of Fourvière include stretches of Parc des Hauteurs, combining viewpoints with historical explanations of the hill and its monuments.
Nearby food options: You'll find cafés and restaurants near the basilica and down in Vieux Lyon, making it easy to pair a park walk with brunch, a long lunch or an early evening drink.

Where to Stay close to Parc des Hauteurs

For a stay that keeps you within easy reach of both Fourvière’s viewpoints and Vieux Lyon’s cobbled streets, Villa Florentine is an ideal choice. Set on the slopes below the basilica, it offers terraces with sweeping views over the city and puts you within walking distance of Parc des Hauteurs, the Roman theatres and the funicular.

If you’d rather base yourself at the foot of the hill in the old town, Cour des Loges Lyon, a Radisson Collection Hotel delivers Renaissance charm just a short walk from the funicular station. From there, it’s easy to ride up to Fourvière and step straight into the park, then wander back down through Vieux Lyon’s traboules and riverside quays afterwards.

Another good option is Collège Hôtel, near the Saône in the Saint-Paul area. Staying here gives you quick access to Fourvière via bus, funicular or a scenic uphill walk, while keeping you close to lively bars, restaurants and riverfront strolls once you come back down from the park.

Is Parc des Hauteurs Worth Visiting?

Parc des Hauteurs is absolutely worth visiting if you like places that feel a little off the main tourist radar but still deliver unforgettable views. It's not about big “wow” monuments-those are the basilica and the theatres-but about the spaces in between, where greenery, quiet paths and elevated walkways let you experience Lyon from above. For many visitors, the memory of standing on the Passerelle des Quatre Vents, looking out over rooftops towards distant mountains, becomes one of the defining images of their time in the city.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (1,471)

Parc des Hauteurs, tucked below the Basilique de Fourvière at Pl. de Fourvière in Lyon, is a peaceful hillside park with winding paths, a rose garden, orchards and small bridges that open onto sweeping views over the Saône and Vieux Lyon; visitors praise its quiet, intimate atmosphere, the choice of gentler winding routes or steeper stairs, statues and plantings (hydrangeas, roses) along the way, and its appeal as a calm spot to walk, relax, study or watch the sunset.

Huy Nguyen Le

3 months ago

"As an international student in Lyon, Parc des Hauteurs quickly became one of my favorite escapes from the busy city. Hidden behind Fourvière hill,the park feels peaceful and almost secret, with paths winding between trees, gardens, and ancient Roman ruins. I love walking there after classes, especially in the evening when the view over the Saône River and the rooftops of Vieux Lyon is breathtaking. It’s not a huge park, but its charm lies in the quiet atmosphere, the small bridges, and the sense of history surrounding it. Sometimes I bring my books and study on a bench, other times I just sit with friends and enjoy the sunset. Compared to tourist-heavy spots like Place Bellecour, Parc des Hauteurs feels more intimate, a place where I can breathe, reflect, and feel co ected to the city’s natural beauty. For me, it’s one of Lyon’s hidden treasures...."

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Michael Mack

a year ago

"Beautiful park in Lyon. We walked down from the Basilica to the Old Town of Lyon. The views were spectacular and even in late November, there werestill leaves on the trees and flowers. It was so peaceful. Beautiful statues along the way. There is a long winding path or you can take much steeper stairs. We took the winding path and the walk was beautiful. Highly recommend visiting this area of Lyon...."

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Mike Aoun

10 months ago

"I did not even realize i was in a park until i got there by mistake on my way to the cathedral. It is very quiet and has a nice flora ans view overthe city. Great place to relax on your climb up...."

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FAQs for Visiting Parc des Hauteurs

Parc des Hauteurs runs along the top of Fourvière Hill, linking the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière with the Roman theatres and the Cimetière de Loyasse.

There are several access points, but many visitors enter near the basilica or from paths by the Roman theatres and simply follow the signposted walkways.

No, standard comfortable walking shoes are enough; the paths are more like urban trails and walkways than serious hiking routes.

Yes, children often enjoy the bridges and viewpoints, though you’ll want to keep an eye on little ones near railings and along steeper sections.

Some sections near major landmarks are lit, but others can be quite dim after dark, so it’s generally best enjoyed in daylight or early evening.

Nearby Attractions to Parc des Hauteurs

Gallo-Roman Museum of Lyon-Fourvière - A hillside museum beside the theatres, showcasing artifacts and stories from Roman Lugdunum.
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière - Lyon's hilltop basilica with richly decorated interiors and some of the city's best panoramic views.
Ancient Theatre of Fourvière - The city's largest Roman theatre, still used for summer performances and closely linked to the park's paths.
Roman Odeon of Lyon - A smaller Roman performance space next to the main theatre, adding depth to the archaeological ensemble.
Vieux Lyon - The Renaissance old town at the foot of the hill, with traboules, bouchons and riverside walks easily combined with a visit to the park.

The Parc des Hauteurs 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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