Nestled in a bend of the Rhône River, Villeurbanne is a sprawling commune north-east of Lyon. The area has been inhabited since at least 6,000 BC and takes its name from a Gallo-Roman agricultural area known as “Villa Urbana”. Villeurbanne comprises several individual neighbourhoods, which originated as separate villages.
Things to do in Villeurbanne
Hugging the Rhône River north of Villeurbanne is Parc Naturel de la Feyssine, which was established on former marshlands and opened to the public in 2002. It’s traversed by walking, running and mountain biking trails, with a highlight being the "Chemin Hectomètrique” with its interpretive signs. East of the park is Plaine des Orchidees, which is renowned for its seasonal wildflower displays.
On the western edge of Villeurbanne is Parc de la Tête d’Or, a large 19th-century park home to the Botanical Garden of Lyon. In addition to its wild roses and peonies, the garden boasts several greenhouses where camellias, orchids and carnivorous plants are grown. A miniature train makes its way around Parc de la Tête d’Or and boats can be rented to explore its beautiful lake.
Both international and local artists are showcased at the Institut d'Art Contemporain de Villeurbanne, which presents four exhibitions each year. Works by On Kawara, Gerhard Richter and Martha Rosler are represented in the permanent collection, which includes everything from paintings to photography, sculpture and video installations. Nearby is the Théâtre National Populaire where you can catch theatrical plays.
Getting around Villeurbanne
Villeurbanne is around 15 minutes’ drive from the centre of Lyon and 25 minutes from Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Metro services travelling along the A Line stop at stations throughout Villeurbanne while buses and trams also serve the commune.