Historical walk from the Convent of La Déserte to the Botanical Garden – Heritage Days 2026

A journey through the little-known history of the slopes of Croix-Rousse

For the 2026 European Heritage Days, participate in the A historical walk from the Convent of La Déserte to the Botanical Garden. This 45-minute walking tour invites you to step back in time and discover two iconic sites at the bottom of the slopes of Croix-Rousse.

A former Benedictine monastery founded in the 14th century, the Convent of La Déserte has, over time, given way to major civic and botanical developments, including one of Lyon's very first botanical gardens. A route rich in anecdotes about Lyon's urban transformation and plant heritage.

Heritage Days 2026 Program

• Themed guided tour (45 min): A guided walk linking the site of the former convent to the green terraces of the Jardin des Plantes.
• Historical & botanical discovery: Explanation of the role of the desert, the creation of the Jardin des Plantes and its evolution in the heart of the 1st arrondissement.

Practical Information & Access

Sessions on Saturday, September 19, 2026: Departures at 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm (duration: 45 min).

Price & Registration: Free, open entry or prior registration depending on available capacity.

Meeting place / Address: Botanical Garden / Place Sathonay, 69001 Lyon

Public transport:
– Metro A: Station City Hall – Louis Pradel
– Metro C: Station Croix-Paquet Or City Hall
– Bus: Lines C13, C18, S6, S12 (Stop 1st Arrondissement Town Hall Or Place Sathonay)