Parc de la Cerisaie

Parc de la Cerisaie
Parc de la Cerisaie
Type	Urban park
Location	Lyon, 4th arrondissement
Coordinates	45°46′34″N 4°48′54″E / 45.7761°N 4.814886°E
Area	11 acres (4.5 ha)
Created	1913
Operated by	City of Lyon
Open	Winter: 8am - 7pm Summer: 8am - 10pm
Website	Lyon City website's entry

The parc de la Cerisaie (French pronunciation: [paʁk də la səʁizɛ], Park of the Cherry Orchard) is an urban park in the Croix-Rousse 4th arrondissement of Lyon, France. It is partially situated on a slope, leading from the plateau of the Croix-Rousse down towards the river Saône.

History

The park was constructed on a 19th-century property by the rich industrial Gillet family, on the land above their factories. The park was designed in 1913 and included about 1,200 trees. In the center of the park they had a large house built, known as Villa Gillet.^[1] The park and villa were sold to the city in 1973. Today the house is the base of operations of the Villa Gillet cultural institution,^[2] and the park is open to the public.^[3]

Recreation

The park has children's playgrounds, lawns and benches, an exercise area and plenty of paved paths, making it a popular and important green space for people from the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Sculptures

The park houses a sculpture trail, including works from César Baldaccini, Gérald Martinand, Jean-Pierre Raynaud, Geneviève Dumont, Gérard Michel, Markus Raetz, Bernard Pagès, Alain Lovato, Takis and Ulrich Rückriem.

Vineyard

The République des Canuts association has a small vineyard in the park; 300 plants of gamay grape, planted in 1986. Pressed in Croix-Rousse, the wine produced is the Clos des Canuts.