Milan playground: the cat tower and the water games that bring joy to Lausanne families

The favorite playground of Lausanne families, at the foot of Montriond

In the heart of the Parc de Milan, just a few minutes' walk from the Lausanne train station, lies one of the oldest and most beloved playgrounds in the city. Nestled at the foot of the Montriond hill, bordered by a beautiful linden tree promenade, it has been completely redesigned in recent years (slide tower in 2023, sand area and swings in 2024). The result: a large outdoor playground, free and open to all, where young and old find plenty to climb, slide, splash, and rest. You come for an hour and stay all afternoon.

What your children will discover

The star of the place is the famous cat tower: a large structure topped with slides for both little ones and older kids. All around, a vast sandy area welcomes stone blocks connected by nets and ropes, perfect for climbing and balancing. The big plus is the water games: pumps, channels, and a water table invite children to divert the water and build dams together in the sand. Swings, hammocks, and slacklines complete the picture for varied enjoyment.

What to do there and the atmosphere on site

Here, children are allowed to explore at their own pace. The youngest splash in the water and fill their buckets with sand, while the older ones tackle the nets and slides of the tower. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly: parents settle in the shade of the linden trees or on a hammock, families picnic, and everyone crosses paths. Just a stone's throw away, football and basketball courts and ping-pong tables extend the outing for teens. And right next door, the Lausanne Botanical Garden offers a welcome nature break.

Before you go

• Recommended age: 2 to 12 years (water games are enjoyable from a young age, the tower and nets for older kids)
• Duration: 1 to 3 hours, or even half a day with a picnic
• Price: free, open access
• Reservation: none
• Accessibility for strollers and people with reduced mobility: a cork path crosses the sand to allow access to the water table, pumps, tunnel, and nets for children with limited mobility
• Transport: about 6 minutes on foot from the Lausanne CFF station; bus 1, stop Dapples or Beauregard. Routes available on the Lausanne transport website (tl.ch)
• What to bring: swimsuit or change of clothes for water games, sunscreen, cap, picnic
• Ideal season: from spring to autumn, especially in good weather to enjoy the water

Parent tips

• Bring spare clothes: with the water games and sand, children often come out soaked and sandy (that's a good sign!).
• Arrive early on weekends to find a spot in the shade of the linden trees; the place is very popular in good weather.
• A towel and water-friendly sandals make life easier for water games.
• Slip a picnic into your bag: tables are available and the sports fields keep the older ones occupied afterward.
• Combine with a stroll in the nearby botanical garden to take a breather between play sessions.

Useful information

• Address: Crêt de Montriond, 1000 Lausanne
• Official website: City of Lausanne page
• Hours: open access all year round (to be confirmed on the official website)
• Access: ~6 min walk from Lausanne CFF station; bus 1, stop Dapples or Beauregard; by car, A1 motorway exit Maladière then direction center/station

Looking for more outings? Find all our activities in Lausanne.

Why we recommend it

Because it brings together everything we expect from a large playground: free access, a centrally located and easily accessible spot, varied games that entertain both toddlers and teens, and a real breath of nature with its linden trees and the nearby botanical garden. The water and sand games, in particular, guarantee hours of fun and lovely summer memories.

In two words

An iconic Lausanne playground, free and outdoors, where the cat tower and water games bring joy to families from spring to autumn.