Lyon With Kids: A Free Zoo, Puppets and Funiculars

Lyon is easy with children because its best family stop costs nothing. The Parc de la Tête d’Or has a free zoo, a lake and wide lawns, and a few other stops fill the rest of the week.

Parc de la Tête d’Or

The park covers about 105 hectares in the 6th arrondissement. Metro A to Masséna or tram T1 or T4 will get you there, and the main gate is on boulevard des Belges. It is free. The park stays open daily, to 22:30 in summer and 20:30 in winter. The city’s park page lists the current hours.

The zoo inside is free too, with about 400 animals across roughly 60 species. It is closed every Tuesday. Until 14 October it opens from 09:30 to 17:45, and from 15 October it closes at 17:00. The botanical greenhouses are free and open from 09:00 to 16:30 from October to March. Boat hire on the lake costs extra, so ask at the kiosk.

Puppets in Vieux Lyon

Guignol, the glove puppet, was born in Lyon. The Maison de Guignol at 2 montée du Gourguillon runs daytime shows from €10.90 for adults and €8.90 for children, on Wednesday at 16:30 and Saturday and Sunday at 10:30, 14:30 and 16:30, and daily in school holidays. The dialogue is French, but the slapstick works for younger children. Evening shows are adult comedy, so book a daytime slot through the tourist-office listing on visiterlyon.com .

Aquarium and miniatures

The Aquarium de Lyon is in La Mulatière, south of the centre, and opens daily from 10:30 to 18:30 according to its site, aquariumlyon.fr . Check the site for current admission.

The Musée Cinéma et Miniature in Vieux Lyon pairs tiny diorama rooms with film props. Adults pay €22.90 and children aged 4 to 15 pay €17.90. Under-4s are free, and a family pack is €55. It is the dearest option here, so keep it for a wet afternoon.

Up the hill

The funicular from Vieux Lyon to Fourvière takes a few minutes and costs a standard TCL fare. Older children can climb about 345 steps on the basilica rooftop visit, priced at €14 for adults and €7 for reduced fares, with entry free under 5. The Roman theatres next door are free and good for running up and down the stone seating.

Getting around with children

A single TCL ticket is €2.10, a 24-hour pass is €7.10 and a 10-trip carnet is €20.50. Validate each time you board, because inspectors fine passengers without a valid ticket on the spot. Keep bags zipped and phones out of back pockets at Part-Dieu and in Vieux Lyon’s crowded streets.

A simple week

Put the zoo on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday morning, puppets on Wednesday afternoon, and the funicular and theatres on a clear day. Book a family-friendly Lyon activity if you want a guided option on a rainy day.

See the Lyon activities page for food and craft stops, or the 2-day Lyon itinerary for a plan that includes the park.

Tip: pack lunch for the park, which has plenty of lawn, and keep the afternoon free for Guignol.

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