Playground of Lake Sauvabelin: the largest playground in Lausanne

A life-sized playground by Lake Sauvabelin

Perched on the heights of Lausanne, at the edge of the forest and by the beautiful Lake Sauvabelin, this playground is simply the largest in the city. People come here to combine a real nature outing with an afternoon of play: children run from one structure to another while parents enjoy the tranquility of the trees and the body of water. Completely renovated in 2017, the playground features wooden installations that blend into the decor, a large sandbox, and equipment for all ages. And since it is right next to the animal park and the famous Sauvabelin tower, one outing is enough to fill the whole day. Everything is free and freely accessible.

What your children will discover

The playground unfolds a true adventure area. For the older kids, there is a tubular slide, a zip line, a balance course made of trunks, ropes, and stones, as well as a large bird's nest swing where several can sit together. The structures made of black locust trunks form little cabins to explore. For the younger ones, a large sandbox with water games, adapted swings, and a more modest slide allow toddlers to play in complete peace. The wood chip ground cushions falls and gives the whole area a true forest atmosphere.

What to do there and the atmosphere on site

Here, you climb, slide, launch yourself on the zip line, and then go around the lake to greet the animals. The atmosphere is family-friendly and relaxed, with plenty of space to run and a wooded setting that differs from neighborhood playgrounds. While the children move from structure to structure, you can settle on a bench or at the nearby refreshment stand. It’s an ideal place to combine play, a walk around the lake, and a snack, without ever straying too far from each other.

Before you go

• Recommended age: from about 2 to 12 years, with distinct equipment for younger and older children.
• Duration: plan for 1 hour to half a day if you combine it with the lake, the tower, and the animal park.
• Price: free, public playground with open access.
• Reservation: none, open access.
• Stroller accessibility: the site is reached by the paths around the lake; the playground has a wood chip surface, harder to push a stroller on than a hard path.
• Transport: bus TL line 16, stop Lac Sauvabelin or Signal.
• What to bring: clothes that can get sandy and dirty, closed shoes, a water bottle, and snacks or a picnic.
• Ideal season: from spring to autumn to fully enjoy the lake and the forest; the shade of the trees is appreciated in summer.

Parent tips

• Combine the playground with a tour of the lake and the animal park (goats, woolly pigs, ducks): younger children love it.
• For a 360° view of Lake Geneva, the Alps, and the Jura, climb the nearby Sauvabelin tower (302 wooden steps).
• In summer, prefer the end of the day: the area is partially shaded but remains very busy in the afternoon.
• The sandbox with water games keeps toddlers occupied for a long time: consider bringing a change of clothes.
• Enjoy the refreshment stand and the restaurant right next door for an ice cream or snack without having to carry everything.

Useful information

• Address: Chemin des Celtes, Sauvabelin, 1018 Lausanne.
• Official site: City of Lausanne, Lake Sauvabelin.
• Hours: open access all year round; the Sauvabelin tower is open from 8am to 8pm from May to September, from 8am to 6pm in April and October, and from 8am to 5pm from November to March.
• Access: bus TL line 16, stop Lac Sauvabelin or Signal.

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

Why we recommend it

Because it brings together everything we love in a family outing: the largest playground in Lausanne, a forest setting by a lake, and just a stone's throw away an animal park and a panoramic tower. Free, outdoors, and easily accessible by bus, it transforms a simple afternoon into a real little adventure day.

In two words

The largest playground in Lausanne, by Lake Sauvabelin: slide, zip line, and bird's nest swing in the heart of the forest, free and ideal to combine with the lake, the tower, and the animal park.