Parc de la Tête d'Or

The Parc de la Tête d'Or is a large urban park in the 6th arrondissement of Lyon that includes a sizeable lake, glasshouses, animal enclosures and wide lawns. Paths wind through different zones, from shaded avenues to open clearings with views of the water.

The Buhler brothers shaped the grounds from the mid-19th century onward on land that once belonged to a wealthy family. The area developed gradually with new facilities, including glasshouses and a zoo, added in the following decades.

The name refers to an old legend about a buried treasure with a golden head of Christ that no one ever found. The grounds serve runners, families and students as a meeting point, especially in the early morning and on weekends when groups gather around the lake.

The gates open early in the morning and close in the evening, with times varying by season. Visitors find public toilets, drinking fountains and several entrances around the perimeter, making access possible from different tram stops.

In spring, thousands of azaleas bloom along the lakeside in bright pink and red shades, drawing visitors from across Lyon. The grounds also house one of France's oldest animal parks, where you can watch giraffes and flamingos in historic enclosures.

Location: 6th arrondissement of Lyon

Inception: 1857

Official opening: 1857

Fee: No

Address: Boulevard des Belges, 69006 Lyon, France

Opening Hours: April 15-October 14 06:30-22:30 ; October 15-April 14 06:30-20:30

Phone: +33472103030

Website: https://lyon.fr/lieu/parcs/parc-de-la-tete-dor

GPS coordinates: 45.78056,4.85417

Latest update: December 12, 2025 18:13