Parc de la Cerisaie is a wooded park in Lyon’s Croix-Rousse district, at 25 Rue Chazière. Its paths lead past contemporary sculptures, lawns and mature oak trees, with a vineyard planted by a local association. At the centre stands Villa Gillet, a Tuscan-style mansion now used by cultural institutions. Come for a quiet walk, a picnic or time with children at the playground and its tiny-plants observation path. The park also has exercise areas and views across the city.
A park shaped by the Gillet estate
Parc de la Cerisaie occupies part of the former Gillet family property in Croix-Rousse. The family owned chemical factories beside the Saône. Landscape gardener René-Edouard André designed the wooded park in 1913, and the city acquired the property in 1976.
The park covers 4.5 hectares. Its trees include a notable collection of oaks, and its paths connect lawns, play areas and outdoor artworks. The name means “Cherry Tree Park” and recalls a cherry orchard that once stood here; cherry trees are no longer a defining feature of the grounds.
Villa Gillet and the vineyard
A Tuscan-style mansion stands at the centre of the park. Built by Joseph Folléa between 1911 and 1913, it was part of the Gillet estate. The building now houses Villa Gillet, a cultural institution associated with the arts and cultural life of Lyon.
The grounds also include a vineyard planted in 1986 by the association République des Canuts. It is a distinctive feature of this urban park, alongside the lawns and wooded paths.
Sculptures, paths and places to pause
The sculpture trail brings contemporary works into the park’s green setting. Artists represented include César Baldaccini, Takis, Gérald Martin, Jean-Pierre Raynaud, Geneviève Dumont, Gérard Michel, Markus Raetz, Bernard Pagès, Alain Lovato and Ulrich Rückriem. Take the paths at an unhurried pace to spot the works as you move through the grounds.
There are benches and lawns for a pause, plus a fitness area and facilities for sports including basketball, volleyball and tennis. Families can use the playground; a small observation path introduces children to tiny plants. The park is also used for picnics and occasional events.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Parc de la Cerisaie?
It is at 25 Rue Chazière in Lyon’s Croix-Rousse district.
What can you see at Parc de la Cerisaie?
The grounds have a contemporary sculpture trail, mature oak trees, a vineyard and Villa Gillet, a Tuscan-style mansion that houses cultural institutions.
When is Parc de la Cerisaie open?
The park is listed as open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
