Jardin Rosa Mir

The Jardin Rosa Mir is a small, unusual garden at 87 Grande Rue de la Croix-Rousse, on the slope of the Croix-Rousse hill in Lyon's 4th arrondissement, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It was created by Jules Senis Mir, a Spanish-born builder and mason who settled in Lyon, and who spent decades from 1957 covering the walls and surfaces of the steep plot with mosaics, shells, pebbles, ceramic fragments and sculptures. The garden is named after his wife, Rosa, and the work reflects a naive, self-taught art-brut style. Winding paths, stairs and small chambers lead through walls decorated with patterns, animals and religious and personal motifs. After the creator's death, the City of Lyon took over the site and has restored it, opening it to the public on limited days. Access is restricted: the garden opens on Saturdays from 1:00PM to 6:00PM, with last entry at 5:30PM, from 4 April to 31 October 2026; in August, Saturday hours are 9:00AM to 1:00PM with last entry at 12:30PM. Capacity is about 15 people at a time, so queues can form at peak times. Entry is free. A visit takes about 30 to 45 minutes. The best photo angles are along the stepped paths and close to the mosaic walls, where fine details are visible. Visitors should be careful, as the surfaces are fragile and the steps are steep. Arriving at opening time on a Saturday avoids the longest queue. Metro C to Croix-Rousse is about seven minutes away on foot, and the garden pairs well with a stroll through the Croix-Rousse neighbourhood and its silk-weaving heritage.