Tour de Sauvabelin in Lausanne: family panorama

A nature getaway with a wide-angle view

Above Lausanne, the Tour de Sauvabelin offers a nature break and a panorama that always makes an impression. You climb among the trees, breathe in the scent of wood, and at the top, the city, the lake, and the mountains unfold like a postcard. An easy idea to fit between two activities, appealing to both curious little ones and teenagers.

What your children will love

The ascent is via a beautiful wooden staircase, sturdy and bright. Children count the steps, observe the squirrels, spot boats on Lake Geneva, and search for the peaks. The atmosphere is gentle: forest, birdsong, light wind at the top. It’s playful and sensory, with a real little challenge for fine motor skills and endurance.

What you can do there concretely

• Climb the tower and enjoy the observation platforms at several levels.
• Play explorers in the forest and walk along the nearby Lake Sauvabelin.
• Picnic at the tables on the edge or taste the refreshments at the kiosk depending on the season.
• Learn to orient oneself: north/south, Alps/Jura, identify well-known places in Lausanne.

Answers to common questions

• Recommended age: from 3-4 years if the child walks well on stairs. Younger ones can go in a baby carrier (stroller impossible in the tower).
• Duration: plan for 45 minutes to 1 hour to climb, admire, and descend. Add 30 to 60 minutes if you walk around the lake.
• Type of activity: calm and educational, with a little physical effort. Ideal for curiosity and self-confidence by reaching the top.
• Reservation and price: free access, no reservation required.
• Stroller/accessible for people with reduced mobility: no stroller or wheelchair access for the tower (stairs). The paths around the lake are passable with all-terrain strollers.
• Public transport: TL bus line 16 to "Sauvabelin," then a few minutes on foot through the forest. From the center, it’s direct and simple.
• By car: parking at Sauvabelin nearby, then a short walk. On sunny weekends, arrive early.
• To plan: stable shoes, a light jacket (wind at the top), water, hat/sunscreen in good weather. Binoculars if you have them.
• Safety: stairs protected by guardrails. Hold young children by the hand and avoid days of strong wind, ice, or storms.
• Best season: all year round when the weather is clear. Winter for the clarity of views, autumn for the colors, spring and summer for the mildness in the forest.
• Benefits: motor skills (up/down), spatial awareness, nature observation, perseverance, and pride in reaching the summit.

Parents' tips

• Start early in the morning for peace and great photos.
• Set a meeting point at each landing if you are in a group.
• Prefer a baby carrier over a stroller.
• Bring binoculars and a small snack to share at the top.
• Check the opening on the day: the tower may close in case of wind, snow, or ice.

Useful information

• Address: in the heart of the Forest of Sauvabelin, 1018 Lausanne (access from the Sauvabelin parking lot, short walk through the forest)
• Official site or contact: Lausanne Tourism
• Hours: free access, generally during the day all year round; possible closure in bad weather (wind, snow, ice). Check the opening status before you leave.
• Ideal weather: clear and dry weather to enjoy the view; avoid strong winds or rain.
• Car access: Sauvabelin parking (limited spaces on weekends). Marked forest paths to the tower.
• Public transport: TL bus line 16, stop "Sauvabelin," about 5 to 10 minutes on foot.

Why we recommend it

Because it’s simple, free, and spectacular. The climb becomes a little challenge that children love, and the view rewards the whole family. It cultivates observation, orientation, and a love of nature, just steps away from the city.

In two words

A quick and memorable outing to breathe and see Lausanne differently. For more family ideas in French-speaking Switzerland, create your Kidora account or subscribe to our newsletter.