Industrial · Parks

Parc de la Cerisaie

Lyon

Parc de la Cerisaie is an urban park in Lyon, located in the Croix-Rousse district and covering 4.5 hectares. It lies on a slope that connects to the quais de la Saône and is accessible via rue Chazière. The park is partially listed as a historic monument.

Its name recalls a former cherry orchard, and its origins go back to a 19th-century property. The park was designed in 1913 by René-Edouard André. It contains approximately 1,200 trees. The site was once part of land acquired by the Gillet family, wealthy industrialists behind Rhône-Poulenc, who bought the hill above their factories and built Villa Gillet after its former owners. In 1963, the city of Lyon bought both the park and Villa Gillet. The park also includes several playgrounds, muscle training equipment, and orienteering courses, and it is associated with Salamandre, an underground area south of the park composed of old dungeons.

Map showing the location of Parc de la Cerisaie in Lyon
Location of Parc de la Cerisaie in Lyon

Nearby Objects

Parc de la Cerisaie in Lyon

Parc de la Cerisaie is a 4.5 hectare park in the Croix-Rousse district of Lyon. It can be accessed via rue Chaziere and is situated on a slope that connects to the quais de la Saone. The park is partially listed as a historic monument, giving it recognized heritage status within the city.

History and Layout of Parc de la Cerisaie

Parc de la Cerisaie takes its name from a former cherry orchard, and its origins go back to a 19th century property. In 1913, the landscape was designed by Rene-Edouard Andre. The park includes approximately 1200 trees, which gives it a substantial planted character. Its history is closely linked to the Gillet family, wealthy industrialists associated with Rhone-Poulenc, who bought the hill above their factories. They also built a house there called Villa Gillet, named after its former owners. In 1963, the city of Lyon acquired both the park and Villa Gillet, bringing the site into public ownership.

Activities and Underground Features

Parc de la Cerisaie includes several playgrounds and muscle training equipment, making it suitable for recreational use. The park also allows visitors to practice orienteering courses. South of the park is an underground site named Salamandre. It is described as being composed of old dungeons, with salamanders living at the end of the underground.

The Vine and Clos des Canuts

Since February 1986, La vigne has cultivated a vine of 300 Gamay grape plants in the La republique des Canuts association. The grapes are harvested in September, then pressed on the place de la Croix-Rousse. The activity produces a wine named Clos des Canuts. Within the parc, this vine forms part of the site's cultivated features and reflects an ongoing local practice tied to wine production.