Parc du Heron, Lille

Parc du Heron is one of the Villeneuve-d'Ascq parks , covering an area of 110 ha. A part is classified in the form of the regional nature reserve of Héron.

Parc du Héron is located in the center of the town of Villeneuve-d'Ascq , between the districts of Brigode (to the south) and La Cousinerie (to the north) and between the urban park (to the west) and the river La Marque and Forest-sur-Marque , (to the east). It has 110 hectares of water and green spaces. In 1995, 73 ha of the park to the east of Lac du Héron were classified as a voluntary nature reserve , to protect flora and fauna. The site became a regional nature reserve in 2012. It includes a large lake, Lac du Héron.

It is overlooked by the hill of Marchenelles, an artificial hill rising to 40 m , created when the new town was created with the earth extracted from the digging of the lakes. The Marchenelles hill has a forest of about 120,000 plants, planted in 1981 and 1982. The main trees found there are alder , aspen , elm and oak.

Also included is the archaeological park Asnapio , the hunting lodge Historic monument logo Joined MH ( 1951 ) 1 ( xvii th century , renovated by the Compagnons du Devoir), the Petitprez farm (seat of a tavern and a theater ESAT: Quanta ), the Heron farm.

The park is a popular place to walk for walkers and cyclists. Lots of people come here to relax on weekends, and the lakeside is a great spot for sunbathing or reading. Since 2002, the Héron Park has been managed by the Lille Métropole Natural Space. Walking paths were reorganized in 2004 and 500,000 users were registered in 2009.

A wastewater treatment plant is installed in Ascq , to the south-east of Lac du Héron.

The park was designed by the landscape designer Jean Challet.