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Daytime

Gerland Park and the City Center

Start your afternoon in the quiet, modern greenery of Parc de Gerland before heading north to explore Lyon’s historic center and enjoy a classic local treat.

Best time: noneAbout 150 min

Timeline

  1. 15:00

    Parc de Gerland

    Arrive at Parc de Gerland. This expansive park is far less crowded than its larger cousin, Parc de la Tête d'Or, offering a peaceful start with modern landscaping and open spaces along the Rhône banks.

  2. 16:15

    Boulangerie du Palais

    Walk to Boulangerie du Palais for a snack. Pick up a praline tart, a popular local dessert, to enjoy while you wander. The bakery is open from 07:00 to 19:00, making it a reliable stop in the afternoon.

  3. 16:55

    La Fresque Lumineuse - La ville dans le futur

    Head to La Fresque Lumineuse - La ville dans le futur. This large-scale public artwork by François Schuiten depicts Lyon as the 'City of Light' in a futuristic vision. It is one of the more accessible frescoes from the park area.

Local tip

The walk from Parc de Gerland to the city center takes some time, so allow for the travel between the park and the frescoes. Boulangerie du Palais is a great spot to grab a quick, authentic bite before continuing your exploration.

Check before you go

  • Boulangerie du Palais closes at 19:00, so plan your snack visit before then.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Lyon (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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