parc de la Tête d’Or 🇫🇷

Welcome to Parc de la Tête d'Or, the largest urban park in Lyon, France. Spanning roughly 117 hectares in the city's 6th arrondissement, this grand green space offers you a wonderful escape along the Rhône river. You can explore a vast 16-hectare lake where summer boating takes place, or visit two wooded islands, including Île du Souvenir, which features a war memorial accessible via a unique underground corridor beneath the water.

Park highlights include a six-hectare central zoo—free to enter—where you can observe giraffes, primates, reptiles, and rare Barbary lions across habitats like the African Plain. Nature lovers will adore the sprawling Jardin botanique de Lyon, boasting extensive plant collections, four rose gardens, and grand historical greenhouses. As you stroll the park's rolling terrain, you will pass iconic features like the ornate, gilded wrought-iron Porte des Enfants du Rhône entrance gate.

Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a velodrome, boules court, equestrian facility, and mini-golf course, while families can catch a ride on the mini-train. Whether you are walking, jogging, cycling, or soaking in the local history, this scenic park delivers an unforgettable outdoor experience right in the heart of Lyon.

What to see at parc de la Tête d'Or

• Explore the free six-hectare zoo featuring giraffes, primates, and the African Plain.
• Enjoy summer boating across the expansive 16-hectare central lake.
• Discover the Jardin botanique de Lyon, featuring grand greenhouses and four rose gardens.
• Walk through an underground corridor under the lake to reach Île du Souvenir.
• Admire the massive, gilded wrought-iron Porte des Enfants du Rhône entrance gate.

Visiting tips

Take the underground corridor on the lake's east bank to access the memorial on Île du Souvenir without taking a boat.

How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Summer

How to get there & what’s nearby

parc de la Tête d'Or is easy to reach on Lyon’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon and amphitheater of Lyon. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Lyon travel guide.