In the heart of the city of Lyon and just a stone’s throw from the Rhône River, Parc Blandan, a former military site turned green space for all ages, invites you to take a stroll through nature, heritage and leisure in the heart of the city.
Parc Blandan in Lyon?
Nestling between the 3ᵉ, 7ᵉ and 8ᵉ arrondissements, Parc Blandan covers 17 hectares, making it Lyon’s third largest green space. Here, the city gives way to a lung of greenery where nature, leisure, history and conviviality come together for the pleasure of Lyonnais and visitors passing through, in place of a former barracks.
From the main entrance, at 37 rue du Repos (Lyon 7ᵉ), you are greeted by a vast esplanade, a vestige of the site’s military past. Several paths guide you through a mosaic of landscapes: large meadows, urban forests, reclaimed gardens and sports areas, inviting you to stroll, play sport or picnic under the trees
As you stroll through the park, its history is revealed by the remains: the park occupies the site of the former Sergent Blandan barracks, on the foundations of the Lamothe fort, built in the 19ᵉ century as part of Lyon’s fortifications. But the history of the site goes back even further, to the 15thᵉ century Château de la Motte, itself the heir to a strategic crossing point on the Roman roads.
For decades, the site was a military stronghold and then a barracks. Renamed in 1942 as a tribute to Sergeant Jean-Pierre Blandan, a Lyon figure in the conquest of Algeria, the barracks were eventually acquired by the city and transformed into a public park, which opened in 2014. Since then, a number of historic buildings have survived, giving the park a unique atmosphere where history meets modern relaxation.
Space and atmosphere at Blandan
170,000 m2 ofgreen spaces, playgrounds,sports facilities and promenades in the former Sergeant Blandan military barracks in the heart of Lyon, open to the public for over a decade.
To the north is the esplanade, a place for gatherings, games and events. The central part includes the fort, lawns and discovery areas. To the south, the moat and the “forest front” offer shady spots, ideal for a break or a siesta in the green.
- A 15,000 m² meadow for games and relaxation.
- Sports facilities (over 18,000 m²): football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis.
- Children’s play areas, including the spectacular Vague des remparts with 1,000 m² of adventure!
- 1,300 m² skatepark
- A 1.5-kilometre walking loop dotted with benches, picnic tables and deckchairs made from recycled stone from old buildings.
There is also a great diversity of flora and fauna: over 100 trees planted, 70 plant species, and many birds populating these new urban habitats.
Following an initial phase of site rehabilitation, landscaping and the installation of children’s play equipment, the central part of Blandan Park and the former barracks have been restored since 2021 and work is continuing.
From acquisition to 20261, timetable for development of the barracks in Parc Blandan2:
- 2008: Métropole acquires the former Sergent Blandan barracks site
- 2013 : Handover of the first phase and opening of the park
- 2019 : Handover of the second phase
- 2022: Consultation for the development of the third phase
- 2023: Preliminary design, preparation of planning permission
- 2024 (November): start of works
- 2026: Scheduled handover of the third phase of the park at the beginning of the year.
Parc Blandan is open to everyone: families, children, sports enthusiasts, nature lovers and history buffs.
All year round, it is alive with meetings, events, concerts and neighbourhood activities. There’s something for everyone: lounging on the lawns, jogging in the alleys, playing with the kids or taking part in sporting activities. It’s also an excellent starting point for discovering new aspects of Lyon outside the traditional tourist circuits.
Practical Blandan
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 37 rue du Repos, 69007 Lyon (main entrance) |
| Access | Bus, metro and TCL tram: Metro D (Guillotière stop), Tram T2, bus C7 (Lamothe stop), cycle paths, nearby car parks (we recommend using public transport for easy access). |
| Timetable | Open all year round : – 6.30am to 7.30pm (15 October to 14 April) – 6.30am to 10.30pm (15 April to 14 October) |
| Input | Free |
| Services | Playgrounds, sports areas, skatepark, picnic tables, water points, plenty of benches and shade, public toilets |
Where is Parc Blandan?
Map showing the location of the park in the Lyon metropolitan area in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region:
Liked, disliked
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- A variety of gardens
- Long walkways for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised modes of transport
- Games for children
- Sports and body-building workshop
- Skateboard park
- Pleasant heritage setting
- Large central square for events or strolling
- In the heart of the city, close to public transport links
Minus
- Many off-leash dogs
- Dog mess means you have to watch your step in green spaces
Video of a walk in Parc Blandan
Travel link
- The park, official website, city of Lyon
- Parc Blandan Development Association
- Sergent Blandan site and project, Baseland
- Lyon metropolitan area, presentation and map
- Parc Blandan, Wikipedia
- Press release, City of Lyon ↩︎
- Park layout, presentation ↩︎