Jardin des Curiosités

The Jardin des Curiosités is a terraced park spanning approximately 6000 square meters with views over Lyon, arranged across multiple levels. Metal chairs are strategically positioned to reveal different perspectives of the city's architecture and the Rhône river below.

The garden was created in 2001 to commemorate two decades of partnership between Lyon and Montreal, marking a period of shared urban planning interests. This project emerged from architectural collaboration and exchange between the two cities.

The metal seating sculptures by artist Michel Goulet invite visitors to pause and observe the city from framed viewpoints. These sculptural benches transform ordinary viewing into a designed experience where the surroundings become part of the artwork itself.

The garden is accessible by the Saint-Just funicular railway departing from Vieux Lyon metro station, followed by a short walk along Trion Street. The site involves some walking on uneven terrain due to its terraced layout.

A sand terrace creates a vantage point overlooking Lyon's rooftops, emphasizing the tactile, hand-crafted quality of the garden design. A small bridge within the site references the Jacques-Cartier Bridge linking Montreal to its surroundings.