Activities for children in Saint-Cergue
At over 1,000 meters above sea level, at the pass that tilts La Côte towards France, Saint-Cergue is the family resort of the Vaud Jura. The people of Geneva and Nyon have been coming here for over a century to seek pure air, snow in winter, and coolness in summer.
It can be accessed by road or, more magically, by the little red NStCM train that winds its way from Nyon. Up there, the program changes with the seasons: sledding and dog sledding when the snow settles, storytelling trails and a cable car to the peaks as the nice days arrive.
Here is our selection of activities for children in Saint-Cergue, for mountain memories less than an hour from Lake Geneva.
Our selection of family activities to do in Saint-Cergue
5 activities for children
Basse-Ruche Leisure Space
On a mountain pasture over 1000 meters above Saint-Cergue, the Espace Loisirs Basse-Ruche brings the mountain to life for families all year round. All-terrain scooters, mini-adventure park, zip lines, and swingolf in the summer; ski lifts and sledding in the winter: there is something for all ages.
Walk to the Refuge de la Barilette
Above Saint-Cergue, an unpretentious family walk takes you through pastures and fir trees to the Barilette refuge and the ruins of the old castle. A simple, free nature outing, perfect for taking a deep breath with the family in the Vaud Jura.
Cable car and toboggan of La Dôle (Télé-Dôle)
Above Saint-Cergue, the La Dôle area is the quintessential family resort of the Vaud Jura. Baby lift, toboggan runs, ski lifts, and gentle slopes for beginners: it is the perfect place to introduce little ones to the snow, less than an hour from Nyon.
The Ballad to Béatrix (told path)
In the forest above Saint-Cergue, La Ballade à Béatrix is a narrated trail that tells children the story of the village's castle, all while walking. A free stroll that ends with a beautiful panorama of Lake Geneva: the ideal walk when you want to mix nature, history, and imagination.
PPP Rando — sled dogs and cani-hiking
In Saint-Cergue, PPP Rando introduces families to the world of sled dogs. On the agenda: meeting a pack of huskies and cani-hiking, a walk pulled by the dogs, possible on snow as well as off snow. From age 5, by reservation.
Why choose Saint-Cergue for a family outing?
Saint-Cergue is experienced in four seasons. In winter, the resort becomes the playground for families: the La Dôle cable car and the toboggan run provide plenty of thrills, while the sled dogs from PPP Rando offer an unforgettable experience — for a day, the children become mushers and talk about it for years to come.
In fine weather, it's time for the trails. The Ballade à Béatrix turns hiking into a story to follow, milestone after milestone: an unbeatable trick to get the most reluctant moving. More athletic, the climb to the Barilette hut rewards the effort with a breathtaking view of Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc.
In the village, the leisure area of Basse-Ruche complements the offer with its facilities for exercising, picnicking, and enjoying the great outdoors without straying far from the center.
Easily accessible by small train, refreshing in every season, Saint-Cergue remains the mountain for families from La Côte — the place where you go up for an afternoon and where you return all winter long.
