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The Garden of the Hermitage of Mont Cindre has reopened after 2 years of work near Lyon

undefined undefined 6 septembre 2023 undefined 16h19

undefined undefined 20 février 2024 undefined 12h21

The Editor

After an absence of more than two years, one of the most picturesque jewels of Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or is reopening its doors. The rock garden of L'Ermitage, once hidden by the weight of time, is ready to welcome the public once again.

Located in the town of Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or, just 20 minutes from Lyon, this enchanting rocky garden had seen its access limited due to the ravages caused by nature and climate over the years. Once stable rocks had become fragile, showing signs of weakness and making the site dangerous for visitors. Faced with this worrying situation, the municipality took matters into their own hands by launching a series of assessments and works aimed at securing the garden.

Reopening over 2 years later

The restoration of the rock garden has been carried out in several stages, with a first phase in 2018 involving the renovation of the belvedere, followed by a renovation of the western path in 2020. Finally, in December 2020, the municipal council voted in favor of the complete restoration of the site, launching the final phase of the work. A titanic project started in July 2021 and carried out by the craftsmen of the Comte company (specialists in the restoration of built heritage). And the good news is that it finally reopens its doors to visitors after over 2 years of forced closure.

A treasure built by a single man

The rock garden is a spontaneous creation of Brother François (Emile Damidot), the last hermit to have lived in this place between 1878 and 1910. He used locally gathered stones to build this extraordinary garden, skillfully mixing white and gray stones in artistic creations that are surrounded by lush vegetation (just like the famous Facteur Cheval who built his sublime Ideal Palace in Drôme).

The garden is a labyrinth of small chapels, niches, ponds, and caves, each adorned with stained glass embedded in mortar patterns. It is a living work of art that blends stone, plants, and spirituality. After years of abandonment and degradation, the rocky garden is now rising from its ashes. Restoration works have stabilized the structures, repaired damages caused by invasive vegetation, and preserved this unique treasure for future generations.

Opening dates:
- September 16 and 17, as part of the Heritage Days: free guided tours upon reservation here
- From September 18 to 24 from 3 pm to 7 pm, during the Biennale Hors Normes: site open without reservation
- Every Saturday and Sunday from September 30 to November 26 from 2 pm to 5:30 pm: guided tours upon reservation here

Rates: .7 euros for adults, 4 euros for 6 to 18 year olds, and free for the little ones.

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