# Parc de la Tête d'Or, Lyon > The Parc de la Tête d'Or is Lyon's largest city park, 117 hectares of green by the Rhône. It has a lake with boats and the Swan Island, a free zoo with giraffes and an 'African plain', a botanical garden with huge 19th-century glasshouses and a rose garden of thousands of bushes. Locals come to run, cycle and picnic, and children for the mini train and playgrounds. Free; allow 2–3 hours. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/lyon/parc-de-la-tete-dor - City: [Lyon](https://yesgo.io/france/lyon), France - YesGo score: 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 2 h 30 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Park and zoo free - Hours: Morning to evening, longer in summer - Area: ≈ 117 ha - Opened: 1857 - Duration: ≈ 2–3 hours - Location: 6th arrondissement, by the Rhône - Coordinates: 45.78056, 4.85417 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **117 ha** — area of the park (source: English Wikipedia) - **1857** — the park opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **7 ha** — botanical garden (source: English Wikipedia) - **1861** — boating began on the lake (source: English Wikipedia) ## About the Parc de la Tête d'Or The Parc de la Tête d'Or, the 'Golden Head', is Lyon's main park on the left bank of the **Rhône**, in the 6th arrondissement. It was once marshy floodplain, and the name comes from an old legend of a treasure with a golden head of Christ said to be buried here. The park was planned in the mid-19th century 'to give nature to those who have none'. Swiss landscape designers the **Bühler** brothers laid it out on the model of the Bois de Boulogne, and in **1857** it opened to the public. Today its 117 hectares hold a lake, a zoo, a botanical garden, a rose garden, sports grounds and shady avenues. ## What to see - **The lake** — boats and pedalos in summer, Swan Island. - **The zoo** — giraffes, primates and the African plain. - **The botanical garden** — 19th-century glasshouses and tropics. - **The rose garden** — thousands of roses in season. - **The Enfants du Rhône gate** — an 11-metre ceremonial entrance. - **The mini train** — a loop of the park for children. ## The zoo In the middle of the park is a small **free zoo**, one of the oldest in France. It began with sheep, chickens and cows, and exotic animals arrived later. Today it's home to giraffes, deer, primates, reptiles and more. The newest part is the **African plain**, opened in 2006: giraffes, zebras and antelopes roam a spacious area viewed from walkways. It's a favourite with Lyon's children, especially at weekends. > **When to come** The best time is **spring and early summer**, when the rose garden blooms and boat hire opens on the lake. Weekday mornings are quiet; weekends are full of families and joggers. In summer bring a rug for a picnic on the big lawn by the lake, in the shade. ## Botanical garden and glasshouses Lyon's botanical garden moved to the park in 1857 and now covers 7 hectares, with collections compared to those of the Natural History Museum in Paris. Its highlight is the **great glasshouses** of 19th-century glass and iron, full of tropical plants, palms and cacti. Next door is the **rose garden**, laid out in the 1960s with thousands of bushes of many varieties. Lyon is famous for roses: renowned 19th-century breeders created new varieties here. ## The lake and walks The big **lake** is the heart of the park. People have boated on it since 1861, and hire opens in summer. **Swan Island** has quiet corners, reached by a 1930s underground passage. The main entrance is the monumental **Enfants du Rhône gate**, 32 metres long and 11 metres high. Paths for running and cycling wind through the park, with a velodrome, mini-golf, boules courts and an equestrian centre. A **mini train** runs for children. ## How to get there 1. Metro A to Masséna or Foch, then a 10-minute walk. 2. By bus to the Enfants du Rhône main entrance on Boulevard des Belges. 3. By bicycle along the Rhône quays from the centre. 4. From Place Bellecour, 15 minutes by metro or 40 on foot along the Rhône. ## Tips for your visit Allow two to three hours for the park, half a day with the zoo and glasshouses. Enter by the Enfants du Rhône gate, walk round the lake, then the zoo and botanical garden. The park pairs well with a stroll along the Rhône quays and the centre; set aside separate time for historic Lyon in [Vieux-Lyon](https://yesgo.io/france/lyon/vieux-lyon) and at [Fourvière Basilica](https://yesgo.io/france/lyon/fourviere-basilica). Paths are flat and wide, great with a pushchair or scooter. There are cafés, ice-cream kiosks, toilets and playgrounds. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Enter by the Enfants du Rhône gate - [ ] Take a boat out - [ ] See the giraffes - [ ] Step into the great glasshouses - [ ] Find the rose garden ## Places in Lyon: compare and choose Places in Lyon rated by YesGo. - [Parc de la Tête d'Or](https://yesgo.io/france/lyon/parc-de-la-tete-dor) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Free ## Don't mix it up The Tête d'Or is the big park on the Rhône's left bank; the Fourvière gardens are on the hillside by the basilica. ## Tips - Roses in spring. - The zoo is free. - Bring a picnic rug. - Metro A to Masséna. ## Questions ### Is the Parc de la Tête d'Or free? Yes, the park and zoo are free. ### How do I get to the Parc de la Tête d'Or? Metro A to Masséna or Foch and a 10-minute walk. ### What is there to see in the Parc de la Tête d'Or? The lake, zoo, botanical garden with glasshouses and rose garden. ### Is the park good for children? Yes: a zoo, mini train, boats and playgrounds. ### How long do I need in the park? Two to three hours, half a day with the zoo. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Opening hours and boat hire weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Parc de la Tête d'Or - Lyon tourist office, visiterlyon.com --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.