Basse-Ruche Leisure Space

A playground facing the Jura, just a stone's throw from Saint-Cergue

Set on a hilly alpine pasture at about 1091 meters, the Espace Loisirs Basse-Ruche transforms the slope into a vast playground. People come here to breathe in the fresh air of the Vaud Jura, picnic on the grass, and engage in activities at their own pace. The site operates year-round: in summer, there are scooters, treetop courses, and alternative golf, while in winter, it's all about ski lifts and sledding. The view opens up to the ridges and, on clear days, to Lake Geneva in the distance. A simple and generous place, designed for both young and old to leave tired and happy.

What your children will discover

Your children will discover a mountain that can be experienced physically. They race down the alpine pasture on all-terrain scooters, climb in the suspended modules of the mini-adventure park, glide on zip lines, and try out precision sports that are not often encountered: swingolf (a simplified golf) and footgolf, where the goal is to aim for the hole with their feet. 3D archery adds a touch of adventure. It's an opportunity to build confidence on a course, manage their speed, and discover the joy of outdoor effort, far from screens.

What to do there and the atmosphere on site

The atmosphere is family-friendly and relaxed, without pressure. You choose your activities à la carte according to age and the day's desires. The older kids tackle the slopes on scooters while the younger ones explore the mini-adventure park accompanied by a parent. Between attempts, the playground and the restaurant allow for a breather, a snack, and enjoyment of the terrace. You’ll encounter families, groups of friends, and many children delighted to run freely on the grass. Plan to stay for a few hours: once on site, you'll quickly want to try everything.

Before you go

• Recommended age: from 4 years for the mini-adventure park (accompanied), from about 10 years or 1.50 m for scooters, from 50 kg for zip lines.
• Duration: plan for half a day to enjoy several activities.
• Reservation and prices: paid activities (for reference, zip line about 18 CHF, 30 min of scooter about 20 CHF, swingolf about 20 CHF, child under 14 about 10 CHF). Prices to be confirmed on the official site.
• Stroller accessibility: sloping and grassy alpine pasture, not very suitable for strollers; prefer a baby carrier.
• Transport: Saint-Cergue is served by the NStCM line (Nyon - Saint-Cergue - La Cure) from the CFF station in Nyon; final access by car is recommended.
• What to bring: good shoes, clothes suitable for mountain weather, sunscreen, and a picnic or restaurant budget.
• Ideal season: from late spring to autumn for summer activities; winter for ski lifts and sledding.

Parent tips

• Check the minimum height and weight for each child before aiming for an activity to avoid disappointments on site.
• Arrive in the morning on nice days: the alpine pasture heats up quickly in the afternoon and shade is rare.
• Budget per activity rather than a package: you can quickly accumulate scooter, zip line, and swingolf.
• Keep the mini-adventure park for the younger ones; they love it and can stay there for a long time.
• Weather changes quickly at altitude: bring a warm layer even in the middle of summer.

Useful information

• Address: Route de Basse-Ruche 16, 1264 Saint-Cergue.
• Official site: https://basse-ruche.ch/
• Hours: variable depending on the season and weather; check the hours and activity openings on the official site.
• Access: NStCM train to Saint-Cergue from Nyon (CFF), then road towards the Basse-Ruche alpine pasture.

Why we recommend it

We love the Espace Loisirs Basse-Ruche because it offers a real active mountain day less than an hour from the Lake Geneva region. The variety of activities allows every child to find their joy, from toddlers to teenagers, and the alpine atmosphere immediately gives a vacation vibe. It's the perfect place to get the whole family moving in the fresh air.

In two words

A four-season playground above Saint-Cergue, where you can enjoy scooters, zip lines, and swingolf in summer, and sledding and ski lifts in winter. Fresh air and guaranteed smiles.