It’s news that tugs at the heart. The Garden of the Good House, a true botanical treasure located just steps away from Lyon, has not welcomed visitors since December 2025. Without detailed official communication, the garden's website simply confirms its closure, leaving nature and botany enthusiasts in a state of confusion. This silence stands in stark contrast to the richness and generosity of the place, which was once open to the public.
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The Garden of the Good House is, above all, the work of a lifetime: that of Odile Masquelier. Ironically, nothing destined her to become one of the greatest collectors of roses in the world. She, who did not like modern roses, deemed too rigid and scentless, fell head over heels for the old varieties during a trip to Scotland. A revelation that would change everything.
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800 varieties of roses in a 9,500 m² treasure chest
Back in France, Odile Masquelier and her husband decided to breathe new life into her childhood garden located in La Mulatière. The result: over 800 varieties of ancient and botanical roses spread across 9,500 m². A true living museum under the sky, recognized by botanists from all around the world. Each path told a story, every flower had a name, an origin, and a little anecdote. And above all, a fragrance. Here, there are no standardized roses, but rare varieties, sometimes forgotten, brought back to life with passion.
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The Garden of the Good House has held the prestigious label “Remarkable Garden” since 2010, an award that honors exceptional gardens in France. But beyond the flowers, it’s the spirit of the place that touched visitors. Odile Masquelier knew every rose, every detail, and shared her knowledge with a rare generosity. Her philosophy? “A garden is a creation, it is you.” This phrase perfectly sums up the spirit of this timeless place.
A closure that leaves a bitter taste
Today, the closure of the Garden of the Good House is a sad moment for many.
Garden of the Good House sounds like the end of an era. For nature lovers, the curious, and botany enthusiasts, it was a unique place, almost a hidden gem, but profoundly memorable. Just a stone's throw from Lyon, this garden embodied a different way of seeing the world: slower, more sensitive, more poetic.