Large Greenhouses, Greenhouse in Parc de la Tête-d'Or, Lyon, France
The Grandes Serres are a series of large glass structures in the botanical section of Parc de la Tête-d'Or, in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon. They are made up of nine connected greenhouses with iron frames, including a tall central dome and two smaller side wings called chapelles.
The greenhouses were first conceived in 1867 by Gustave Bonnet, who oversaw Lyon's public green spaces and wanted to bring tropical plants to the city. The original wood-and-glass structures were replaced in 1880 with iron frames, reflecting the industrial style of that era.
The Grandes Serres are free to enter and draw families, school groups, and casual visitors throughout the year. Guided tours and workshops are available on reservation, mostly on Wednesdays, weekends, and school holidays.
The greenhouses are located near the Porte du Lycée entrance of Parc de la Tête-d'Or and are free to visit. Not all nine sections are open to the public, but the main areas, including the central dome, can be visited without restriction.
Among the roughly 900 plants housed inside, one of the oldest is a cycas, a plant that sits halfway between a fern and a palm and is considered a prehistoric specimen. This type of plant has survived on Earth for millions of years, long before most flowering plants appeared.
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