Étang du Gresaley in Savigny

A small pond hidden on the edge of the Jorat

North of the commune of Savigny, where the fields give way to the bois du Grand-Jorat, the Étang du Gresaley lies in a discreet clearing. It covers less than a hectare and cannot be seen from the road: you have to leave the car at the entrance to the wood, on the chemin de la Planie, and walk a few minutes under the trees to find it. It is that arrival by surprise that children love so much. In 2010 the commune had an observation deck built a few dozen metres from the water, so that visitors can take in the pond and the reeds without trampling the banks.

What your children will discover

The deck is the highlight: you lean on the rail and watch. The reeds, the dragonflies in summer, the traces of water birds, the changing light on the surface. No path leads down to the edge of the pond, which protects the site and reassures parents. There are other curiosities to spot along the way: small red caps scattered in the meadows, which are in fact the inspection covers of the commune's springs, anthills, and an almost constant birdsong. A table and benches installed by the Société de développement de Savigny make a good place to gather strength.

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

People come here to walk and to watch, not to swim: swimming is not what the site is for, and the water is not accessible. Many families carry on with circuit number 2 of the Société de développement, known as Craivavers: 3.8 km, one hour fifteen to one hour thirty, starting from the chemin de la Planie. It follows the sentier des racines, drops into a stream bed where you find a small waterfall and pools, climbs back up the chemin des Aqueducs, then reaches the pond by the chemin de Gresaley. It is the family loop par excellence, with just enough narrow passages for children to feel they are on an adventure.

Before you go

• Recommended age: from 3 for the short walk from the car park, from 5 or 6 for the full 3.8 km loop
• Duration: thirty minutes there and back from the car park, or one hour fifteen to one hour thirty for the loop
• Price: free
• Booking: none
• Pushchair access: forest tracks and narrow paths, hardly suitable for a pushchair; a baby carrier is far more comfortable
• Transport: by car, with a parking space at the entrance to the wood on the chemin de la Planie; the area is poorly served by public transport
• What to bring: closed shoes, a water bottle, binoculars if you have them, and a picnic
• Best season: spring to autumn, the pond being particularly lively in spring and colourful in autumn

Parents' tips

• Do not promise a swim: no path leads down to the water, and that is not what the site is for.
• Send the children hunting for the small red caps along the path, they are the inspection covers of the communal springs.
• The sentier des racines lives up to its name: closed shoes are essential, especially after rain.
• Bring a picnic, the table and benches near the pond are the perfect place to stop.
• The area is very quiet: it also makes a good end-of-day outing when you want to avoid the crowds.

Useful information

• Address: Étang du Gresaley, bois du Grand-Jorat area, 1073 Savigny (Vaud)
• Start: parking space at the entrance to the wood, chemin de la Planie
• Opening hours: open access at all times
• Price: free
• On site: an observation deck built in 2010, a table and benches from the Société de développement de Savigny
• Details of the walking circuits are available on the commune of Savigny website

Why we recommend it

Because it is a short nature outing, free and with no logistics, that still offers a real reward at the end of the path. The observation deck changes everything: instead of walking round a pond, you stop, you watch, you learn to spot the reeds and the birds. And if the children want more, the Craivavers loop adds a waterfall and a stream without ever exceeding an hour and a half.

In a nutshell

A small pond hidden on the edge of the Jorat, an observation deck facing the reeds, a picnic table and a 3.8 km loop: the nature walk in Savigny, free and made for families.

Looking for more ideas nearby? Discover all our activities in Savigny.