The history of Le Vinatier: nature in the service of mental health Guided tours

Guided tours

Unusual

Tour proposed by ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès

A history walk in the grounds of Le Vinatier hospital centre in Lyon-Bron

This guided tour will take you through the huge landscaped grounds of the former mental asylum of Le Vinatier, which opened in 1876 and is now a hospital centre dedicated to mental health.

It offers a chance to learn about the history of psychiatry, from its origins to the present day, through the example of this institution in Lyon.

The walk will allow you to discover how asylums were managed in the nineteenth century, as well as the major changes that occurred during the twentieth century with the development of treatments and the arrival of antipsychotics in the post-war era.

You will be astonished by the size and charm of this verdant, history-filled site, which is little-known by locals. Do not be surprised to see pygmy and Alpine goats, vines and various species of hundred-year-old trees.

The tour ends at La Ferme, the asylum’s former farm, which is now the home of the hospital’s cultural centre.

It is a wonderful opportunity to take a walk in the extraordinary setting of one of the city’s most magnificent green spaces!

This tour is suitable for ages 12 and above.

Tour provided by ONLYLYON Tourisme et Congrès's tour guides

Worth knowing

Please ensure you arrive 10 minutes before the tour commences.
Booking is necessary online or at +33(0)4 72 77 69 69.
Cancellation free of charge 72 hours before schedule activity.
You will need to present proof of ID on the day of the tour.
Children and minors remain under the responsibility of their parents during this visit. The participation of an adult is mandatory for each reservation

Duration

2h00

Kind

Guided tour on foot

Access

Metro D > Mermoz Pinel then Tram T6 > Vinatier

Meeting point

In front of Le Vinatier, 95 bd Pinel - 69500 Bron

Prices

Adults €15.00

From 8 to 18 & students €8.00

Children under 8 Free

The vineyards of the Vinatier

The name ‘Vinatier’ comes from the ten hectares of vines that were planted in the original rural estate before the asylum was built. Still today, six grape varieties are grown in the hospital grounds.

This tour is available
for groups

More than 70 themes of guided tours, in 7 languages,
30 anthusiastic guides : an unprecedented offer indeed!

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Tourism Professionals | Group of people

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Tour guides

Delphine

Hej, hallo, hello, bonjour
I'm Delphine, one of the twenty or so lecturing guides that work for the Guides' Bureau.
Our service is incredibly rich: we all have our own profiles, our own interests, our own areas of study and our own favourite type of public.

And we all have one thing in common: LYON

What I love is the variety of its districts and their architecture, the wealth and diversity of its history and the Men who built it, the beauty of its monuments, particularly the light reflected from the façades that border the Saône early in the morning or at the end of the day; it's a trip in itself!

So after language studies which took me to live in Denmark and Germany, I returned to Lyon to work as a guide to lift the veil on "Myrelingues la Brumeuse"* and to share my enthusiasm with you who have come here to discover it or immerse yourself in it. (*title of a book by Claude le Marguet, set in 1536 in Lyon)

Paa gensyn, bis bald, see you soon, à bientôt !

Laurence

All I need is a sturdy pair of shoes and a good hat, and I'm ready to take you on a "voyage through our city" I'll be delighted to take you on a discovery tour of our "landmark" sights as well as my own favourites.

In other words, I'd like to help you gain insight into the soul of our city! And on the way, I'll tell you all about the history and art of our UNESCO-listed capital.

This guided tour is included
with the Lyon City Card

The essential pass to have on hand! The Lyon City Card is the pass
you need for your next stay in Lyon.