Cycle tour around Lyon’s parks: Gerland - Sergent Blandan - Tête d’Or

Route specs

• 97% cycle paths
• Circular route beginning on Pont de la Guillotière
• Distance: 18 kilometres
• Altitude difference: 50 metres' ascending elevation (flat)
• Level: Easy, but if you’re cycling with children, make sure they are able to manage the distance.
• Estimated time to complete the route: 2 hours with breaks.
• Departure and arrival: Pont de la Guillotière or any other point of entry along the circular route.

Komoot route map

Route description

Beginning at Pont de la Guillotière, set off to discover three of Lyon’s parks ; Gerland, Sergent Blandan and Tête d’Or parks. 

First, follow the Voie Lyonnaise 1 cycle path to the south, towards the large wooded lawns of Gerland park. Children will find play areas, while adults can enjoy a picnic on one of the many tables provided for the public. 

The route then takes you up Avenue Jean Jaurès to Place Jean Macé and Sergent Blandan park, a former military site that has been converted into a green lung, straddling the borders of three districts (3, 7 and 8). There, you can take a break or even try out the huge skate park (if you have a skateboard with you).

Next, head north up to Tête d’Or park, through the district of Part-Dieu, via the Voie Lyonnaise 2. Currently undergoing redevelopment works centred around the train station, Part-Dieu is a business district that’s full of places to have fun, get creative, soak up some culture or take a rest. 

The route then goes past the former railway station of Les Brotteaux, Lyon’s first station, which was inaugurated in 1908. It remained in service until the opening of Part-Dieu train station in 1983, when the TGV high-speed rail line arrived in Lyon. It has since been converted into offices and restaurants.

On your way to Tête d’Or park, make a stop at the Louis Braille installation, a large metal keyboard representing the universal alphabet for visually-impaired and blind people. 

At the end of Boulevard Anatole France, you arrive at Tête d’Or park, one of Lyon’s iconic landmarks. Entrance to this 105-hectare (260-acre) green space is free. It remains one of France's largest and most beautiful urban parks. Attractions include the grand glasshouses, the huge botanical garden, the rose garden and the zoological garden. There’s more than enough to explore in the park to keep you busy for a whole day. . 

Exit the park through the large iron gate named ‘Porte-des-Enfants-du-Rhône’, which has been recently restored. Last, a short bike ride along the River Rhône will bring you back to the starting point.