Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
28 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
28 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
28 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
28 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All France Lyon The Flower Tree

The Flower Tree

A colorful piece of contemporary art cheerfully clashes with Lyon's historical architecture.

Lyon, France

Added By
Katie Bush
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Flower Tree   KatieBush / Atlas Obscura User
Flower Tree   KatieBush / Atlas Obscura User
Flower Tree   KatieBush / Atlas Obscura User
  Michael Busch / Atlas Obscura User
  z6hy49pxxs / Atlas Obscura User
The Flower Tree in Lyon   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
  luigi40 / Atlas Obscura User
  rkchinphoto / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

First created in 2003, the massive bouquet known as the Flower Tree may not seem to fit the tenor of the historic French city of Lyon, but that didn't stop it from being permanently rooted in place. 

The overgrown technicolor plant was the work of Korean artist Jeong-Hwa Choi. Choi created the piece to take part in the 7th biennial festival of Contemporary Art in Lyon. The colossal work consists of 85 individual plastic flowers, each as large as a car door, grouped together as though grown like a tree. The effect is that of a rainbow dome of whimsical flora. While such a display fits right in at a modern art festival, it stands out like a sore thumb against traditionalist medieval buildings and gothic churches, so when it was moved permanently to one of Europe's largest historic squares, many folks raised any eyebrow. However the Flower Tree has remained and whether you feel as though its a modernist eyesore or a welcome splash of color in an otherwise drab town, it does not seem to be going anywhere soon.  

Related Tags

Statues Art Flora Plants

Know Before You Go

The tree is located on the east side of Place Antonin Poncet.

Community Contributors

Added By

KatieBush

Edited By

rkchinphoto, Michael Busch, luigi40, Xavixavir...

  • rkchinphoto
  • Michael Busch
  • luigi40
  • Xavixavir
  • z6hy49pxxs

Published

March 19, 2014

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://lyonfrance.ca/attractions/flower-tree.html
  • http://themostbeautifulplacesineurope.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/flower-tree-lyon-france/
  • http://www.en.lyon-france.com/Things-to-do/Culture-Activities/Sites-Historical-Monuments/Historic-monuments/Flower-Tree
The Flower Tree
Place Antonin-Poncet
Lyon, 69002
France
45.755988, 4.835842
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Saint Exupéry Monument

Lyon, France

miles away

La Fourvière Funicular

Lyon, France

miles away

Astronomical Clock of Lyon

Lyon, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lyon

Lyon

France

Places 16
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Saint Exupéry Monument

Lyon, France

miles away

La Fourvière Funicular

Lyon, France

miles away

Astronomical Clock of Lyon

Lyon, France

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Lyon

Lyon

France

Places 16
Stories 4

Related Stories and Lists

You've Had a Good Run, Nature: 8 Amazing Arbors Created by Human Hands

architecture

By Eric Grundhauser

Related Places

  • The portal made of sticks at the Redwood Forest.

    East Warburton, Australia

    Redwood Forest Tree Art

    Woven tree art gives this towering Australian woodland a touch of mystical whimsy.

  • Ash Dome

    Gwynedd, Wales

    Ash Dome

    The artist David Nash planted a circle of trees in 1977.

  • Tree 75 at Syracuse University.

    Syracuse, New York

    Tree of 40 Fruit

    A Frankenstein blend of science and art allows one tree to produce 40 different types of stone fruit.

  • Little Paradise Lodge.

    Mount Creighton, New Zealand

    Little Paradise Lodge

    A lakeside garden in the Southern Alps full of whimsical artwork and thousands of beautiful flowers.

  • View from Dr Neil’s Garden over the loch.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    Dr Neil's Garden

    A secret garden in a picturesque Edinburgh village has inspired artists for centuries.

  • Gourd lamps for sale at Gourdlandia.

    Ithaca, New York

    Gourdlandia

    This art center is way beyond your average pumpkin-carving operation.

  • ‘Wood Line’

    San Francisco, California

    'Wood Line'

    Get lost in this haunting fairytale art walk through a man-made eucalyptus grove.

  • Marianne North Gallery at Kew Gardens

    London, England

    Marianne North Gallery at Kew Gardens

    A gallery specifically dedicated to the botanical illustrations of a remarkable traveling lady.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.