Chloe Hamard - Blogger

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The best running routes in Lyon, France

Chloe Hamard

Are you visiting Lyon and wondering where to run? Here are my suggestions, whether you need a long run route or a spot for hill reps.

Where to run in Lyon, France

Parc de la Tête d'Or / Tête d'Or Park

Lyon’s most iconic park is also the largest urban park in France. You can explore its 290 acres via the multiple paths inside, running along the lake, the botanical garden or even around the zoo.

This is the ideal park for all types of runs, from an easy 5k to an interval session or even a portion of your long Sunday run.

I personally enjoy going to this park for an easy, relaxed run where I don’t mind stopping to take photos of the flamingos and other animals I encounter.

This park is opens from 6:30am to 10:30pm every day.

Berges du Rhône / Banks of the Rhône

If you enjoy running along water, you will love this running route. It stretches from the Parc de la Tête d’or to the Parc de Gerland (about 7k) and is perfect for an interval session or a portion of your long run if you go from one park to the other.

I did my favourite interval session (12x1 min effort and 1 min jog) along this route and absolutely loved it.

It’s even more amazing early in the morning for beautiful sunrise views.

Parc Sergent Blandan / Sergent Blandan Park

This urban park is located in the 7th district and has an area of 42 acres. Fairly recently rehabilitated, it features an ecological area, a central garden and a skatepark.

It is great for a short morning run, you can either do laps around the park or take the multiple paths inside it.

The park is open everyday from 6:30am to 10:30pm.

4th and 5th districts

This where the hills are, if you have a hill sprint session on your training plan or if you enjoy a bit of a challenge!

Some of the most famous (and steep) climbs are: Montee du Gourguillon and Montée de l’observance. If you climb up to the Ancient Roman Theatre of Fourviere you’ll get some pretty amazing views especially just after sunrise.

Fancy more climbing? Go up to the Basilica of Fourviere for breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

For a quick visual recap of the places mentioned above, check out this Reel with my favourite running routes!

You can also see more footage of all these places in this vlog:

Runseeing tour of Lyon

If you’re not staying in Lyon for long and want to check out as many sights as possible, why not plan a “runseeing” tour of the city? On my last day in Lyon I wanted to see my favourite places one last time, so I went on a 20k run which I very much enjoyed. Here’s some inspiration for your own tour of Lyon:

  • Start anywhere along the Rhone River path

  • Cross the Lafayette Bridge if you're on the 3rd district side

  • Then head to Hotel de Ville and Place des Terreaux to check out the fountain

  • Run to Place des Jacobins for another beautiful fountain

  • Make your way to Bonaparte Bridge to cross the Saone River

  • Start climbing the Montee du Gourguillon

  • Head towards the Ancient Roman Theatre of Fourviere

  • Keep climbing to the Basilica of Fourviere and don't forget to check out the panoramic view of the city

  • Take the Passerelle des 4 vents for more stunning city views

  • Make your way back to the Saone River path

  • If you cross the river via the Passerelle Saint Vincent, check out the Fresque des Lyonnais (mural) which is right there.

  • Run towards the other river (Rhone) and cross any bridge

  • This should be about 9-10k, run whatever distance you have left along the river.

  • If you stay on the river path heading North (river on your left) you will reach Tete d'Or Park.

Check out this Lyon Run Tour vlog:

Running essentials to run in Lyon

Latest running posts:

See this gallery in the original post

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