Pedal Boats in French-speaking Switzerland: where to rent one with the family on Lake Geneva and the lakes
When summer arrives, there's nothing like a pedalo ride to get the whole family out on the water. On Lake Geneva as on the lakes of Neuchâtel and Morat, French-speaking Switzerland is full of spots where you can rent a pedalo by the hour, with no booking and no licence. Here are our best addresses, region by region.
Michael Ambass
3 min read
A pedalo is the quintessential summer outing: no equipment, no licence, no booking, and everyone joins in — children love to pedal and take the helm, parents enjoy the scenery. Most operators provide life jackets and offer pedalos for 4 to 5 people, sometimes fitted with a chute to slide straight into the water.
Here is where to rent a pedalo with the family in French-speaking Switzerland, from Lake Geneva to the lakes of Neuchâtel and Morat.
Pedal boats on Lake Geneva
The most popular lake, with rental points in almost every town along the shore.
- Pedal boats in Lausanne (Ouchy and Vidy) — several operators by the lake, facing the Alps: the quintessential Lausanne summer outing.
- Pedal boats in Nyon — at the foot of the old town and the castle, with a view of Mont Blanc.
- Pedal boats in Morges — from the harbour, a stone's throw from the Parc de l'Indépendance.
- Pedal boats in Vevey — on the Riviera quays, between Lavaux and the Dents du Midi.
- Pedal boats in Geneva — in the bay, facing the Jet d'eau: hard to get more postcard-perfect.
Pedal boats on Lake Neuchâtel
Sandy beaches and shallow waters, perfect for families.
- Pedal boats in Yvonand — by the largest sandy beach on the lake; some pedalos have a chute.
- Pedal boats in Estavayer-le-Lac — at the foot of the medieval town, right next to the beach.
Pedal boats on Lake Morat
- Pedal boats in Morat (Murten) — on one of the warmest lakes in Switzerland, by the medieval old town.
Pedal boats with the family: our tips
- Safety first: put on the life jackets (provided by operators) at the jetty and stay near the shore with young children.
- Age: no limit — toddlers come aboard with an adult, older children love to pedal and steer.
- When to go: from late spring to autumn, mostly in fine weather; aim for late afternoon to avoid the heat and the crowds.
- Budget: generally from around CHF 15 per half-hour depending on the operator and the size of the pedalo. Check the day's rates and hours on the operator's website, as they vary from spot to spot and with the season.
- Make a day of it: most spots pair well with a swim, an ice cream on the quays or a nearby playground.
Want more ideas by the water? Browse all our sports & leisure activities in French-speaking Switzerland — and to receive our best family outing ideas every week, join the 1000+ families subscribed to the Kidora newsletter.
