Bron: Fort History, Culture and Parks

Bron brings together cultural history and parks with a range of uses to consider when planning a trip. Fort history, a church with a medieval past, cultural events, and routes for cycling and orienteering offer a variety of ways to spend your time. If you’re looking for a hotel in Bron, consider whether you’d prefer to focus more on museums and architecture or on activities in the parks.

Fort History and Aviation

The Musée du Fort presents the history of the Séré de Rivières fortifications, Lyon’s defence system, Fort de Bron and everyday life in military buildings. Construction work on the fort began in early 1875 and continued until the end of 1877. By then, apart from later works, it was practically complete. A visit therefore offers an opportunity to explore both the history of the fort and the broader history of the fortifications.

The Aéromusée is housed in two halls at Fort de Bron. It displays photographs documenting the history of Bron airfield, along with artworks, medallions, busts and rare engravings. The collection also includes aircraft parts, mannequins, insignia panels, cameras and measuring instruments. A reconstruction of the cockpit of a British bomber from the Second World War provides another highlight. Anyone interested in aviation history will find a range of exhibits here, from photographs and objects to the cockpit reconstruction. The fort is also a starting point for hikes.

Church and Cultural Events

Église Saint-Denis has stood on Place Curial since the Middle Ages. Its architectural features include a Romanesque portal, a nave with two side aisles and a Romanesque apse. The church regularly hosts concerts, particularly for Fête de la Musique. Dates and programmes may change, so check the specific event schedule if you’re planning to attend a concert.

Ferme du Vinatier complements these cultural offerings with exhibitions, concerts, conference-debates and meetups. Its programme changes seasonally. Bron’s itinerary can therefore include both enduring landmarks and events whose specific offerings depend on the season.

Parks: Opening Times and Activities

Parc du Vinatier is open during Ferme du Vinatier’s opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 2 to 5 p.m., as well as on evenings or weekends when events are held by the cultural department. Access is on foot only, via the main entrance at 95 Boulevard Pinel. Vehicles are permitted within the hospital grounds only with special authorisation. The park has a fallow deer enclosure, farm animals, an orienteering board and a fitness trail. As opening hours and facilities may change, check the hours before your visit and, if a particular facility is important to your plans, confirm that it is currently available.

Parc de Parilly is a 159-hectare Espace Naturel Sensible. It spans Bron and Vénissieux and is used for recreation and sport. A permanent orienteering course with 70 control points and a total of 15 km of cycle paths offer different ways to enjoy the park. These details can also be compared for planning: the orienteering course is described by its control points, while the cycle paths have a combined length of 15 km.

You can reach Parc de Parilly on Métro line D via Parilly and Lyon Mermoz stations, on tram line T2 via the Parilly-Université-Hippodrome stop, and on bus lines C15, C17, C25, 39 and 93. C15 and C17 stop at rue du parc, Lionel Terray and bois de Parilly; C25 at Stade de Parilly and Berliet Vénissieux; line 39 at Clos Verger; and line 93 at Parilly Jean Zay, boulevard de Parilly, Mendès France and Parilly Université Hippodrome. As routes and stops may change, check the current connection before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Aigueperse, Irigny, Anse, Saint-Germain-Nuelles, Saint-Sorlin, Lyon, Chassagny, Châtillon

For the wider travel overview: Rhône.