As a Lyon resident, it is easy to forget that nature is not only a far-off weekend destination. It is right here, under our feet and all around us, if we know where to look. This guide offers a local escape, blending secret gardens and forgotten viewpoints, for anyone seeking greenery without heading out toward the Alps.
Gîte - Chambre d'hôtes "LA PAUSE NATURE"
Gîte - Chambre d'hôtes "LA PAUSE NATURE", 10 Chem. du Roland, 38530 Chapareillan. Google rating: 5/5 (40 reviews). View on Maps. Website: http://la-pause-nature.eatbu.com/
This gîte in Chapareillan offers complete seclusion. It is the ideal address for anyone who wants to disconnect from urban noise while still being reachable from the Lyon metropolitan area in under an hour.
La Pause Nature - Gîtes de France
La Pause Nature - Gîtes de France, Govéro, 56150 Saint-Barthélemy. Category: Gîte. View on Maps. Website: https://www.gites-de-france-morbihan.com//cgi.php?ACC=G&FICHE=O&INSTANCE=gites56&NUM=56G2072&OPE=PARTOO&ORI=PARTOO&utm_campaign=partoogmb&utm_medium=partoo&utm_source=fichegmb
Note that this place is in Morbihan. If you are looking for a true Breton escape far from Lyon, it is a Gîtes de France-certified option, but it is not a northern getaway close to the City of Light.
Une Pause Sur La Colline
Une Pause Sur La Colline, 2 Molymard, 38150 Saint-Romain-de-Surieu. Google rating: 4.7/5 (29 reviews). View on Maps. Website: http://www.facebook.com/unepausesurlacolline/
Hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours. Located in the Rhône, this gîte enjoys an elevated position. Round-the-clock access makes late arrivals easy after a workday, a practical comfort for busy locals.
Le gite nature et spa
Le gite nature et spa, Villedieu, 42110 Sainte-Foy-Saint-Sulpice. Google rating: 4.7/5 (3 reviews). View on Maps
Hours: Monday to Sunday: Open 24 hours. In the Loire, this accommodation combines lodging and wellness. The on-site spa lets you relax your muscles after a hike in the nearby monts du Lyonnais, offering a genuinely private moment of relaxation.
Jardin des Curiosités
Jardin des Curiosités, 8 Pl. de l'Abbé Larue, 69005 Lyon. Google rating: 4.7/5 (2,045 reviews). View on Maps
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 22:00. Tucked away in the fifth arrondissement, this intimate garden is an underrated gem. With its varied botanical collections and hushed atmosphere, it offers an instant breath of fresh air in the heart of the old district, perfect for a quiet lunch break.
Jardin Botanique de Lyon
Jardin Botanique de Lyon, Tête d'Or, 69006 Lyon. Google rating: 4.7/5 (4,753 reviews). View on Maps. Website: http://www.jardin-botanique-lyon.com/
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 09:00 – 18:00. Integrated into Parc de la Tête d'Or, this scientific garden features greenhouses and specialized collections. It is a place for learning and contemplation, where plant diversity is presented with rigor, ideal for lovers of precise botany.
Parc des Hauteurs
Parc des Hauteurs, Pl. de Fourvière, 69005 Lyon. Google rating: 4.6/5 (1,479 reviews). View on Maps
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 07:45 – 18:00. Located on Fourvière hill, this urban park offers unique views over the city. Less crowded than Tête d'Or, it lets you enjoy sloping green spaces with a panoramic view, perfect for a sunset picnic.
Parc de la Tête d'Or
Parc de la Tête d'Or, Boulevard des Belges, 69006 Lyon. Google rating: 4.6/5 (60,014 reviews). View on Maps. Website: https://www.lyon.fr/lieu/parcs/parc-de-la-tete-dor
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 06:30 – 22:30. Lyon's essential green lung, this huge park is home to a lake, a free zoo, and rose gardens. Its size makes it easy to wander at length. It is the go-to spot for a Sunday jog or a family stroll, directly accessible by metro or tram.
Practical Information
To reach Lyon sites such as Jardin des Curiosités or Parc de la Tête d'Or, TCL public transport is efficient. Metro B serves Masséna for Tête d'Or, while the funicular goes up toward Fourvière for Parc des Hauteurs. For the out-of-town gîtes (Chapareillan, Saint-Romain-de-Surieu), a car is still necessary; allow 30 to 45 minutes from central Lyon. Remember to check specific garden opening hours, especially in winter when they close earlier.
