Arboretum du Vallon de l'Aubonne: 200 hectares of nature to explore with the family

A huge tree garden in the heart of the Aubonne valley

Just steps from the village of Aubonne, on the heights of the Vaud part of La Côte, the Arboretum du Vallon de l'Aubonne stretches over nearly 200 hectares of forest and meadows. More than 3000 species and varieties of trees and shrubs from all over the world have been brought together here, organised into collections that you cross on foot, along the valley. It is a living place, which changes with each season: blossoms in spring, cool shade in summer, blazing foliage in autumn. For families, it is above all a huge open-air playground where you walk, observe and breathe. The park is open all year round, and the visitor centre offers exhibitions, a shop and a refreshment kiosk for a break.

What your children will discover

Here, the trees are not lined up as in a book: they form landscapes that children explore as they go. Along the trails, you come across century-old oaks, magnolias, maples, ornamental cherry trees, a Japanese forest and even an orchard of old fruit varieties. The most curious learn to recognise the leaves, to listen to the forest and to understand, for example, what dead wood is for and who lives in it. The Rallye Fred le Castor, designed for children aged 8 to 14, turns the walk into a treasure hunt to better understand the forest.

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

The atmosphere is calm, family-friendly and unhurried: you come here to take your time. You choose a trail according to age and mood, you stop to look at a remarkable tree, you picnic on the grass. Toddlers enjoy the Bois-Mort trail, short (less than a kilometre) and suited to strollers and little legs, while the older ones take on longer routes. On Wednesday afternoons, nature workshops (creative crafts, gardening, experiments) are offered to children. The refreshment kiosk and the Musée du Bois round off the visit at the visitor centre.

Before you go

• Recommended age: from 2 for the walk and the stroller; the Rallye Fred le Castor is for 8-14 year-olds.
• Duration: from 1 h 30 for a short loop to half a day, or even more, depending on the trails chosen.
• Price: adults CHF 10.-, free for children up to 18 and for members.
• Booking: open for the visit; registration required for certain workshops (via the agenda on the official website).
• Stroller accessibility: the Bois-Mort trail is suited to strollers; a wheelchair route is also offered (other trails to be confirmed).
• Transport: by car, Aubonne-Allaman motorway exit then towards Aubonne and the “Arboretum” signs; by train, Allaman CFF stop then postal bus.
• What to bring: good walking shoes, water, a snack, sunscreen and a picnic.
• Best season: from spring to autumn, to enjoy the blossoms and the colours.

Tips from parents

• Pick up the trail brochures at the visitor centre: they make the walk more fun for children.
• With toddlers, go for the Bois-Mort trail, short and stroller-friendly.
• Plan a picnic: the meadows are perfect for a break in the green.
• Match the length of the route to the age: a successful short loop is better than a big circuit that wears everyone out.
• Come in different seasons: the park never shows the same face in spring, summer or autumn.

Useful information

• Address: Chemin de Plan 92, 1170 Aubonne (Vaud).
• Official website: https://www.arboretum.ch
• Opening times: park open all year round. Visitor centre, shop and exhibition space: Tuesday-Friday 1 pm-5.30 pm, Saturday-Sunday and public holidays 10 am-5.30 pm. Refreshment kiosk and Musée du Bois: Tuesday-Sunday 10 am-5.30 pm (check the official website before your visit).
• Access: car (Aubonne-Allaman motorway exit, then “Arboretum” signs); Allaman CFF stop then postal bus.

Want other outings? Find all our activities in Aubonne.

Why we recommend it

Because it is one of the loveliest ways to make children love nature in French-speaking Switzerland: a huge space, free for under-18s, where you walk at your own pace, where every trail tells a story of trees and where the seasons set the rhythm of the visit. Ideal for a big outing in the green, screen-free and stress-free, a quarter of an hour from the motorway exit.

In a nutshell

A forest park of nearly 200 hectares in Aubonne, with themed trails and nature workshops, perfect for a family day in the open air.