Vidy Playground (fishing village): the adventure by the shores of Lake Geneva in Lausanne

A miniature fishing village by Lake Geneva

Nestled between the famous P'tit Train, a remnant of Expo 64, and the port of Vidy, this playground in Lausanne has all the charm of a small open-air theater. On the former shores of Lake Geneva, an entire fishing village has been imagined: five wooden huts perched on stilts, connected by walkways, a stranded wreck, and a small boat to explore. The setting naturally invites your children to invent their own stories of sailors and miraculous fishing. With the lake right next door, the gentle lapping of the water, and the boats in the harbor in the background, the atmosphere is refreshing without ever leaving the city. It is one of the sweetest and most accessible outings in Lausanne for a family with young children.

What your children will discover

Here, everything revolves around the world of fishing and the water's edge. Your children can climb into the stilt huts, cross the walkways, traverse a rope bridge, and board the wreck and the small boat. A fish lock, sand play areas, a slide, and small phones complete the picture. The layout has been specially designed for young sprouts: the structures remain at their scale, making it a reassuring playground for first steps and climbs.

What to do there and the atmosphere on site

People come to Vidy to let children imagine, manipulate sand, and explore without pressure. Parents settle on benches, in the shade of umbrellas, while the little ones navigate from one hut to another. All around, the Vidy site invites you to extend your outing: a stroll along the harbor, a ride on the P'tit Train, a break at the kiosk, or a picnic facing the lake. The place is lively on sunny days, frequented by local families as well as Sunday strollers, in a relaxed and summery atmosphere.

Before you go

• Recommended age: primarily designed for toddlers and young children (about 2 to 10 years old).
• Duration: plan for 1 to 2 hours, more if you continue with a walk along the lake.
• Price: free, it is a public playground with open access.
• Reservation: none, you come when you want.
• Stroller accessibility: the site is level with the lake; the ground mixes sand, grass, and asphalt. Stroller access is generally easy, to be confirmed depending on sand areas.
• Transport: in Vidy, accessible by Lausanne public transport (bus) and by car; exact lines and stops to be confirmed with the tl.
• What to bring: hat and sunscreen in summer (open area), a change of clothes, and perhaps beach toys for the sand.
• Ideal season: from spring to autumn, in good weather.

Parents' tips

• Come early in the morning or late in the day in summer: the area is sunny and the sand can get hot.
• Bring clothes that are not afraid of sand, the number one attraction for the little ones here.
• Combine the outing with a tour of the port of Vidy and the nearby P'tit Train for a complete half-day.
• Keep an eye on the younger ones near the walkways and the lock, the setting invites climbing.
• Bring a picnic: the lawns and benches facing the lake are perfect for it.

Useful information

• Address: Port de Vidy, Avenue de Rhodanie, 1007 Lausanne.
• Official site: City of Lausanne page.
• Hours: open access outdoors; to be confirmed.
• Access: in Vidy, by bus (tl) or by car, parking in the Avenue de Rhodanie area; exact lines and stops to be confirmed.

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

Why we recommend it

Because it brings together everything we love for a family outing in Lausanne: it's free, it's outdoors, it's by the lake, and it's designed for little ones. The theme of the fishing village is a refreshing change from classic slides and stimulates children's imagination, while parents enjoy the setting of the port of Vidy. A safe bet when looking for a simple, gentle idea in the great outdoors.

In two words

A small fishing village by Lake Geneva, free and outdoors, ideal for giving the youngest a first big adventure just steps from the center of Lausanne.