Jardin zoologique de la ville de Lyon

Jardin zoologique de la ville de Lyon is the free municipal zoo tucked inside Parc de la Tête d'Or in Lyon. Spread across 9 hectares, it is home to more than 400 animals from over 50 species, arranged by natural habitat into three zones — savanna, wetland, and tropical forest.

What will you see at the zoo?

Walking the paths, visitors can watch giraffes, zebras, watusi wildebeest, and lemurs sharing enclosures designed to mimic the African savanna. The tropical forest zone is home to red pandas, capuchin monkeys, and other species adapted to warm, shaded environments. Other residents include Asian lions, panthers, spectacled bears, mongooses, porcupines, crocodiles, tortoises, and a wide range of birds — flamingos, herons, and crowned eagles among them. Enclosures are built to minimize visual barriers between visitors and animals, encouraging observation of natural behavior.

How do you get there?

The zoo sits inside Parc de la Tête d'Or, Lyon's largest urban park, easily reached by public transport from the city center. Entry to the zoo is free and counts as one of the park's main attractions alongside its lake, botanical garden, and rose garden.

When is the best time to visit?

The zoo is open every day except Tuesdays. From mid-April to mid-October it keeps longer hours, from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm; for the rest of the year (January to mid-April and mid-October to December) it opens from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Morning visits are best, when animals are most active and paths are quieter, especially on weekends and during school holidays.

What is the history behind the zoo?

The zoo was founded in 1858 on the initiative of Claude-Marius Vaïsse, prefect of the Rhône department at the time. For more than 160 years it has remained one of the favorite attractions for both locals and visitors to Lyon, evolving from a classic menagerie into a modern zoo concept built around natural biotopes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is admission to the zoo free? Yes, entry to the zoo is completely free, just like the rest of Parc de la Tête d'Or.

How many animals can you see at the zoo? The zoo is home to more than 400 animals from over 50 species, spread across savanna, wetland, and tropical forest zones.

Is the zoo open every day? The zoo is closed on Tuesdays. On other days it opens at 9:30 am, closing at 5 pm in winter and 6:30 pm during the summer season (mid-April to mid-October).

Which animals should you look out for first? Among the most recognizable residents are giraffes, Asian lions, red pandas, and spectacled bears — a combination rarely found together in a single urban zoo.