Pedal Boats in Lausanne (Ouchy and Vidy): a family outing on Lake Geneva

On Lake Geneva, a stone's throw from central Lausanne

Lausanne is lucky to have Lake Geneva right at the end of the M2. At Ouchy and at Vidy, you can rent a pedalo within minutes and glide gently away from the shore, facing the Alps and the Château d'Ouchy. It's one of the simplest and most joyful summer outings to enjoy as a family: no equipment, no booking, just the urge to pedal together and enjoy the water.

What your children will discover

As soon as they put their feet on the pedals, the children take charge: they steer, speed up, aim for a buoy in the distance and watch the CGN boats go by. On some models, a little chute lets you slide straight into the water (depending on the operator and the weather). It's a gentle, sensory activity that builds coordination and quickly gives a sense of pride: "I'm the one driving."

What you do there and the atmosphere on site

The mood is that of the shores of Lake Geneva on fine days: relaxed, family-friendly, unhurried. You pick up your pedalo at the jetty, put on the life jackets (provided), and set off at your own pace for half an hour or an hour. Between strokes, you stop to watch the ducks, take a dip from the pedalo when it's hot, then head back to relax on the quays of Ouchy or the beach at Vidy.

Before you go

• Recommended age: for everyone, from the youngest with an accompanying adult; life jackets provided.
• Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour is usually enough with young children.
• Booking and prices: no booking for a family; price per half-hour or hour, from around CHF 15 depending on the operator and the size of the pedalo. Check the day's rates on site.
• Stroller access: the quays of Ouchy and the Vidy shore are flat and accessible; boarding from a jetty.
• Transport: metro M2 to Ouchy; Vidy reachable by bus then on foot along the lake.
• What to bring: sunscreen, a cap, water, and a change of clothes (you often end up a little wet).
• Best season: from spring (mostly weekends) to autumn, daily in high summer, in fine weather.

Parents' tips

• Aim for late afternoon: the light is beautiful and the heat eases.
• Put the life jackets on at the jetty and set a simple rule ("we stay near the shore").
• Bring a small towel: children often want to dip their feet, or even swim.
• Have some cash or a card ready depending on the operator, and a plan B (an ice cream on the quays) if the queue is long on a scorching weekend.
• Combine it with a stroll along Ouchy or a picnic at Vidy to make a proper half-day out.

Useful information

• Address: rentals at the old port of Ouchy and by the lake at Vidy (chemin du Camping), 1006–1007 Lausanne.
• Operators: Bateaux et Pédalos Location Ouchy and Pieds dans l'Ô (Ouchy), Pedalino (Vidy).
• Official website: check the operators' websites for up-to-date opening hours and prices.
• Opening hours: seasonal, mostly in the afternoon; wider in high summer. Check before you go.
• Access: M2 stop Ouchy-Olympique; buses and cycle paths to Vidy; paid parking nearby.

Why we recommend it

Because it's the quintessential Lausanne summer outing: zero organisation, a modest budget, and the immediate pleasure of being on the water as a family. The pedalo wins everyone over — the little ones love to "drive", the grown-ups unwind facing the Alps — and it pairs perfectly with a swim or an ice cream on the quays.

In a nutshell

A pedalo ride on Lake Geneva, setting off from Ouchy or Vidy: the simplest and most refreshing summer outing for families in Lausanne.