Did you know that the Tête d’Or Park, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in Europe, offers us all the splendors of nature on a silver platter? Like the exhibition currently on display about Monet, a visit to the garden and its large greenhouses is guaranteed to enchant. So let’s lift our eyes from our screens for a moment and go see what lies behind this veritable glass cathedral, which is classified as a historic monument, please!
The large greenhouses of Lyon and their 1,001 species
6,500 m² of surface area, equivalent to 25 tennis courts! Located in the Tête d’Or park, one of the largest greenhouse complexes in France, divided into nine sections (some of which are not open to the public), it offers a unique immersive experience. Whether you head under the imposing dome or into the camellia greenhouse, you’ll be in for a real treat. Here, the species are rare and magnificent, the two criteria that define the exceptional. But this collection is as beautiful as it is fragile, and some species unfortunately no longer exist in the wild. The greenhouses therefore play a vital role in preserving biodiversity.
For the record, the first fleet of greenhouses was built in 1867, when the Tête d’Or park opened. But, no pun intended, the wooden framework did not last long. Work resumed in 1880, but this time with metal frames. This was the era when a certain Gustave was building similar metal structures all over France…
Today, part of the complex (the small greenhouses) is in very poor condition and can no longer be used. The City of Lyon is launching a major renovation project and inviting each of us to take part in this necessary and highly symbolic initiative. The Lyon Botanical Garden must remain a refuge for biodiversity.
👉 Support the renovation project on the Fondation du Patrimoine website
The botanical garden and its exceptional plant heritage
But how can we talk about the large greenhouses of Lyon without also looking at the botanical garden as a whole? First of all, the garden is older than the park. It was initially established on the slopes of the Croix-Rousse in 1796.
When the Tête d’Or park opened in 1857, all these beautiful plants came to settle in what is still one of the most beautiful parks in France today. Eight hectares home to no less than 15,000 species. Enormous trees, exotic flowers, giant water lilies, and plants with unpronounceable names… all of which demonstrate the inexhaustible fertility of nature!
In addition to the imposing greenhouse, the botanical garden includes an outdoor garden divided into different sections, including the magnificent rose garden (360 varieties). The alpine garden alone contains no less than 1,700 species. But here again, 900 species are threatened with extinction despite the efforts of teams who are literally working tirelessly to save this sinking ship. Once again, preserving the garden and renovating the small greenhouses are essential.
