Activities for children in Botterens
Right at the southern end of Lake Gruyère, Botterens and its village of Villarbeney open onto the most confidential part of the lake. There is no large laid-out beach here: the shore has to be earned on foot, along the lakeside trail.
That is exactly what gives the place its charm for families who like to combine a short walk with a swim, far from the crowds on the northern shores.
Here is our selection of activities for children in Botterens.
Our selection of family activities in Botterens
Outdoor activities
Botterens Beach: natural swimming at the end of the lake
What if the swim had to be earned at the end of a path? At Botterens, right at the southern end of Lake Gruyère, the shore is reached on foot from the lakeside trail, level with Villarbeney. A natural, free and discreet spot for a family swim far from the big beaches.
Around Botterens
Corbières Beach: family swimming on Lake Gruyère
Looking for a lake beach where the little ones can paddle safely? At Corbières, at the spot known as La Montagnetta, the lawn slopes very gently down to the water in the shade of tall trees. Playground, fire pits for barbecues and completely free access.
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Gumefens Beach: the wide lawn facing the Île d'Ogoz
Fancy a beach where you can spread out your towels without bumping into anyone? At Gumefens, the lawn unrolls nearly 2,000 m2 on the shore of Lake Gruyère, with the Île d'Ogoz and its medieval ruins as a backdrop. Entirely free, with a large car park right beside it, along the Route du Marais.
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Pont-la-Ville Beach: the quiet little beach on the lake
Escaping the crowded beaches? The one at Pont-la-Ville is smaller and more intimate, with clear water and welcoming banks on the shore of Lake Gruyère. A quiet corner with open access, two steps from the Golf de la Gruyère and the Rossens dam footbridge.
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La Roche Beach: the natural shore of Lake Gruyère
Fancy a beach where you can still hear the birds? The one at La Roche is among the least busy on Lake Gruyère: generous vegetation, calm water and a refreshment stand in summer. It is also from this shore that kayak and paddle outings set off.
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La Pointe Beach in Morlon: the big beach on Lake Gruyère
Looking for the beach on Lake Gruyère that has everything? It is La Pointe, in Morlon, which everyone calls Morlon Beach: toilets, outdoor showers, fire pits, beach volleyball and paddle rental, with the Île d'Ogoz and the Prealps as scenery. Free access.
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Île d'Ogoz: the solar boat crossing to the ruins on the lake
Do your children dream of an island with a real castle? In the middle of Lake Gruyère, the Île d'Ogoz keeps two towers from the 13th century and a small white chapel. You reach it by solar-powered boat from the Port du Bry, and on a few days each year, on foot.
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Kayak Aventure in La Roche: kayak, canoe and paddle on Lake Gruyère
Fancy seeing Lake Gruyère from the water rather than from the beach? In La Roche, Kayak Aventure rents kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards on the lakeside, with a half-price rate for 8 to 16 year olds. Guided outings lead all the way to the Île d'Ogoz.
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Aventure Gruyère in Corbières: licence-free boats, kayaks and paddle
What if the whole family boarded the same boat, with no licence and no experience? In Corbières, Aventure Gruyère rents licence-free boats, kayaks from CHF 15 and paddleboards, including giant models. There are even treasure hunts on the water.
View listingActivities by budget
Botterens Beach: natural swimming at the end of the lake
What if the swim had to be earned at the end of a path? At Botterens, right at the southern end of Lake Gruyère, the shore is reached on foot from the lakeside trail, level with Villarbeney. A natural, free and discreet spot for a family swim far from the big beaches.
View listingBy season in Botterens
Why choose Botterens for a family outing?
Because it is one of the few places on Lake Gruyère where you really feel alone in the world on a weekday. Botterens Beach has no facilities at all: it is a natural shore of grass and pebbles, reached from the lakeside trail level with Villarbeney. Children build branch dens and look for flat stones rather than queueing for a slide.
The Lake Gruyère trail, which follows the shore and links the villages together, turns the outing into a proper little family hike, with the swim as the reward at the end of the path.
The municipality is a few minutes from Broc and its Maison Cailler, as well as from the château de Gruyères: enough to round off the day if the weather turns.
