Heatwave: where to cool off with children in French-speaking Switzerland?

When the thermometer climbs above 30 degrees, outing ideas melt as fast as the ice creams. Here is our address book for keeping children cool: Lake Geneva beaches, outdoor pools, shady gorges and lakes where the afternoon slips by all on its own.

In a heatwave, two golden rules: go out early or late (before 11am, after 4pm) and head for water or shade. Good news — French-speaking Switzerland is full of both.

Lake Geneva beaches, always a safe bet

On the Geneva side, Baby-Plage and the bathing area at Quai Wilson are free to access, while Genève-Plage combines pools, diving boards and lawns. Further north, the Port-Choiseul beach in Versoix, the beach in Céligny and the beach in Hermance are lovely, less urban alternatives.

On the Vaud side, the beach in Mies, the Trois-Jetées beach in Nyon, the La Falaise beach in Gland, the Promenthoux beach in Prangins and the beach in Rolle are dotted along La Côte like so many cool-down stops.

On the shores of Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Morat

Away from Lake Geneva, the lakes of Neuchâtel and Morat warm up faster and offer large sandy beaches that are perfect on scorching days. Our family favourites:

• La Tène beach in Marin: the big beach on Lake Neuchâtel, where the water stays shallow for more than a hundred metres. Ideal for the youngest.
• The beach in Cudrefin: real sand, shallow water and a playground, free to access, on the edge of the Grande Cariçaie.
• The Morat beach (Pantschau): a large lawn by Lake Morat, a stone’s throw from the medieval old town, with a playground and pedalos.
• The beach in Portalban, in Delley-Portalban: fine sand, beach volleyball and a kiosk on the Fribourg shore of Lake Neuchâtel.
• The Jeunes-Rives beach in Neuchâtel: the city beach, recently redeveloped, with a gently sloping entry into the water, a few minutes from the station.

And if you want to vary your swimming spots, a tour of the lakes has more shady lawns in store: in Grandson, at Mont-Vully (Praz), or over towards Chez-le-Bart and Saint-Aubin-Sauges, in the commune of La Grande Béroche.

Outdoor swimming pools

Large outdoor pools are perfect when you want a paddling pool, shade and lifeguards: the Les Vergers pool in Meyrin or the Marignac pool in Grand-Lancy on the Geneva side. Try to arrive before 11am on very hot days: they fill up quickly.

The shade of gorges and forests

When even the lake water feels lukewarm, the gorges keep their natural coolness:

• The mysterious Tête-Noire gorges in Trient: walkways and cool air guaranteed, from age 4.
• The forests of the Jura and walks at altitude: a few degrees cooler than down in the valley, and shade all the way.

Landscaped lakes and leisure parks

The Domaine des Îles in Sion combines a lake, the shade of pine trees and play areas: you can spend the whole day there without noticing the time go by.

Heatwave reflexes with children

• Sunscreen every two hours, a hat and sunglasses: the non-negotiable trio.
• Get children to drink before they ask — every 30 minutes while they play.
• Avoid sport between 12pm and 4pm, even in the shade.
• Babies under one should not be exposed to direct sunlight: choose deep shade and the cooler hours.

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