Play areas throughout Lyon and its metropolitan area
Here is a selection of great spots for children to play in Lyon, which you can enjoy along your walks and outings as a family in and around the city.
Lyon 2: places to play in the Presqu'île district
When exploring the city centre with your children, they may enjoy discovering its buildings and streets for a while, but, sooner or later, they will want to let off some steam… Thankfully, on Place Bellecour, next to the ONLYLYON Tourist Office, you will find one play area for tots and another for kids, with play houses, slides and climbing frames, as well as benches for parents to rest their legs!
Place Bellecour, Lyon 2
Lyon 3: play areas and greenery for all
If you’re strolling through the Montchat neighbourhood, stop off at Parc Bazin. This park has large lawns to play ball games and a play area. Climbing frames and ping pong tables will delight older kids, while there are slides and roundabouts for littler ones. The swings are always a favourite.
There isn’t much for the under-3s, however, less than 500 metres from Parc Bazin, along the tramway towards Part-Dieu, you will find Square Diday with a little play area for tots aged 1 and above.
Parc Bazin, rue de l'est, avenue des Acacias, Lyon 3
Lyon 4: games for children and a stunning view
Parc de la Cerisaie is an outstanding spot for picnics. In this wooded park, which offers a panoramic view over Lyon’s 5th district and the Monts du Lyonnais, you will also find two shaded play areas. What’s more, there’s an art trail to discover the park’s statues, offering many perfect spots to play hide-and-seek!
Parc de la Cerisaie, 25 rue Chazière, Lyon 4
Lyon 5: an (almost) secret garden
If you’re walking through the Fourvière district, pay a visit to the Jardin de la Visitation. This park is not very busy, as it is not very close to the funicular, but it is worth going out of your way for. Children will love the shaded play area, with its slides, roundabouts, climbing frames and a boat to play pirate games!
Jardin de la Visitation, 23 rue Roger Radisson, Lyon 5
Lyon 6: play by the waterside
At Parc de la Tête d'Or, the play areas are often very busy, but you can also entertain your kids by watching the animals at the zoo.
Another option is the play area at the Passerelle du Collège.
On the banks of the Rhône, this is a lovely spot when the sun is out, with games for river pirates and water games for little ones.
Play area of Passerelle du Collège, 11 quai du Général Sarrail, Lyon 6
Lyon 7: the fantastic Parc Blandan!
Parc Blandan must surely boast Lyon’s most exciting play area, known as ‘La Vague des Remparts’ (a huge “wave” made of wood), which offers 1000 m² of fun, including giant tube slides, secret passages, ropes and climbing frames (not suitable for very small children).
This very pleasant park has a second play area, known as ‘Reconquête’, as well as a skate park for skateboarders and rollerbladers (for ages 8 and up).
Parc Blandan, 37 rue du Repos, Lyon 7
Lyon 9: games and pétanque on Île Barbe
A 20-minute bus ride away from Bellecour, Île Barbe never fails to delight us. This timeless little island on the river Saône is the perfect place for kids and adults to tell stories about pirates and knights… After exploring the island, you can let your kids loose in the play area.
Île Barbe, Lyon 9
Villeurbanne: a garden for little ones
Just a ten-minute walk from the Gratte-Ciel neighbourhood, near the roundabout with the Totem, you will find a very pleasant garden for little ones. This 2900 m² wooded space dedicated to games for under-6s includes slides, a roundabout, a wooden house, sand pits and a small maze.
Created in 1929, it was one of the first squares for children in the town of Villeurbanne. The wall paintings on the covered playground are a reflection of the town’s 1930s public health policy. From the original features, a colourful maze and a man-made mini-mountain remain.
Le Jardin des tout-petits - Adolphe Lafont, 19 avenue Marc Sangnier, Villeurbanne
Vaulx-en-Velin: play areas in the country
At Grand Parc Miribel-Jonage, head to the Aire du Castor, where you will find play areas for 3 to 5-year-olds and 5 to 12-year-olds.
Your children can explore the beaver dam and lodge, or have fun on the trampolines and zip line.
Aire du Castor, Grand Parc Miribel Jonage, chemin de la Bletta, Vaulx-en-Velin
Neuville-sur-Saône: a play area for little imps
In the park at Château d'Ombreval, children can enter the ‘Monde des Lutins’ (realm of imps), a wooden play area with balancing beams, swings, huts, roundabouts and slides, as well as benches for parents.
Play area of the Parc du Château d’Ombreval, place du 8 mai 1945, Neuville-sur-Saône
Do you know Saillans? It was in this charming spot - nestled on the banks of the Drôme River - that Marie was born. Starting out in this village, which in the 19th century played its part in the Lyon region’s silk manufacturing boom, Marie’s path has led her step by step (or should that be stitch by stich?) to her current role.
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