Jardin du palais Saint-Pierre, Inner courtyard garden at Museum of Fine Arts, Lyon, France
The jardin du palais Saint-Pierre is a former abbey cloister featuring geometric lawns, ancient sculptures, mature trees, and a central fountain crowned with an Apollo statue. The layout unfolds across multiple levels with formal planting arrangements, creating distinct zones within the enclosed courtyard space.
The garden originated as a private Benedictine abbey space and became public following the French Revolution. Major redesigns in the 1800s transformed it into a visitor-accessible space connected to the museum collections.
The garden holds sculptures from the 19th century that extend the museum's collection into the open air, including works by Auguste Rodin and other artists of the period. These pieces sit naturally among the historic abbey structures, inviting visitors to experience art within its original architectural context.
The garden sits in the heart of the old town, easily walkable from the train station and open daily for visitors. The best time to visit is during warmer months when the plants are in full growth and the space feels most inviting.
Buried beneath a corner of the cloister since 1990 lies a contemporary artwork called Terra by artist Claudio Parmiggiani, deliberately placed underground and out of sight. This hidden piece adds a layer of artistic presence that visitors cannot see but becomes part of the garden's story.
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