The African plain
Giraffes, zebras and antelope in one setting rather than separate cages.
Romainberth — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Romainbehar — CC0 · Gzen92 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Gzen92 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Yes, and it is probably Lyon's best option for that. The zoo takes two hours, and the lake with its boats, the rose garden and the open ground fill the rest. Take food and make it a picnic — almost everything is free.
North of the city, reached by metro, tram and bus in about fifteen minutes from the centre. Walking is possible from the neighbouring Brotteaux district. The park has several entrances, so use the one nearest your destination inside it, as the grounds are large.
Sign in to write your review of this place.
No reviews yet — be the first.
A zoo inside the Parc de la Tête d'Or, Lyon's great park, and entry to it is entirely free. That is the key fact here: a zoo of this size at no charge at all is rare in Europe. Lyon runs it as a public amenity rather than a commercial operation, which makes it among the best free things to do in the city with children. Its main section is the African plain, a wide enclosure where giraffes, zebras and antelope live together in one setting rather than in separate cages. Beyond that are primates, tortoises, llamas and water birds. The surrounding park deserves the day in itself: a large lake with rowing boats, a botanical garden with glasshouses, a wide rose garden, and paths for running and cycling. People in Lyon spend their weekends here. All of it is free, which makes this the best point in Lyon for a family wanting a full day without spending. Indoor sections may keep narrower hours than the park.
Giraffes, zebras and antelope in one setting rather than separate cages.
Park, lake, rose garden and animals, all at no charge.
People in Lyon spend weekends here — you see the city, not a visitor facility.
Inside the Parc de la Tête d'Or, north Lyon