Alimentarium

The world's first museum dedicated to food

On the shore of Lake Geneva, recognisable by the giant fork planted in the water in front of it, the Alimentarium in Vevey is the world's first museum entirely dedicated to food. Housed in a former Nestlé headquarters, it explores everything to do with what we eat: where food comes from, how we cook it, what it brings to our bodies. Far from a dusty museum, it is a lively, interactive and indulgent place, designed for families. You come here as much to learn as to get hands-on.

What your children will discover

The tour is organised around big questions: eating, buying, cooking, digesting. Children handle, observe and experiment thanks to many interactive features. A space is specially set up for 6-12 year-olds, a playful learning area where budding cooks discover ingredients and basic skills. They understand where their plate comes from, why the body needs certain nutrients and how flavours travel from one continent to another. It is concrete, sensory and often surprising, even for parents.

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

You wander freely between the exhibition spaces, try out the installations, watch the demonstrations. The atmosphere is curious and relaxed: children touch, smell and taste when it is offered. The heart of the experience remains the cooking workshops, led by cooks and facilitators, where young and old prepare and taste together. These workshops are offered on certain dates and require registration: check the programme on the official website. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for the visit, more if you take part in a workshop.

Before you go

• Recommended age: 4 to 15 years, with a space dedicated to 6-12 year-olds
• Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours, more if a cooking workshop
• Price: adult 15 CHF, child 6-15 6 CHF, family 35 CHF, free for 0-5 year-olds (to be reconfirmed on the official website)
• Booking: recommended for cooking workshops, limited places
• Stroller accessibility: yes, all floors are accessible by lift
• Transport: Vevey CFF station a few minutes on foot, or bus 201/202 to the Hôtel-de-Ville stop
• Best season: all year round, the museum is indoors

Parents' tips

• Book your cooking workshop in advance: it is the children's favourite moment and places go quickly
• Since the museum is indoors, it is an excellent idea on rainy or very cold days
• Combine the visit with a walk along the Vevey waterfront and the famous fork in the lake
• Note: the museum is closed on Mondays (except Vaud public holidays), keep this in mind when planning
• Make the most of the lifts with a stroller, all exhibition floors are accessible

Useful information

• Address: Quai Perdonnet 25, 1800 Vevey
• Official website: https://www.alimentarium.org
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm from October to March and 10am-6pm from April to September; closed on Mondays except Vaud public holidays (to be reconfirmed on the official website)
• Access: Vevey CFF station about 15 minutes on foot, or bus 201/202 to the Hôtel-de-Ville stop, a minute from the museum

Why we recommend it

Because the Alimentarium turns an everyday subject, what we eat, into a captivating exploration for the whole family. Between interactive features, a space dedicated to children and cooking workshops, everyone leaves with concrete discoveries and the urge to cook. All of it in a magnificent setting on the shore of Lake Geneva, accessible in any weather.

In a nutshell

The food museum in Vevey, playful and indulgent, where children understand what they eat and get hands-on. A smart outing in any season.