Swimming in the lakes of canton Vaud: our favourite beaches for families

Canton Vaud is arguably the most spoiled corner of French-speaking Switzerland when it comes to lake swimming: its shores touch four very different lakes, from Lake Geneva to the bracing waters of Lake Joux. Here are our favourite beaches, lake by lake, all tested with the family.

The good news is that the vast majority of these beaches are public and free. Most are reachable by public transport, many have a playground or a snack bar, and each has its own character: gently sloping sand for toddlers, jetties for the jumpers, quiet coves for those escaping the crowds. One useful reflex before you set off: check the live water temperature on our lake pages.

Lake Geneva along La Côte: from Mies to Allaman

Between Geneva and Morges, the Vaud shore of Lake Geneva strings together communal beaches that are often free and surprisingly calm.

• Mies beach: a large shaded lawn, shallow water at the edge, a playground and barbecue spots. A simple, free day at the lake, right on Geneva's doorstep.
• Promenthoux beach, in Prangins: real sand, shallow water and a summer snack bar. Ideal with little ones.
• The Trois-Jetées beach, in Nyon: calm swimming, jetties for the older kids to jump from, and a lovely playground right next door.
• La Falaise beach, in Gland: communal, free and away from the traffic, with table-tennis tables to stretch out the afternoon.
• La Dullive beach, between Gland and Rolle: grass, rocks and two small sandy patches in an intimate setting. One of La Côte's best-kept secrets.
• Rolle beach: the classic stop halfway between Nyon and Morges, a stone's throw from the old town.
• The Place d'Armes beach, in Saint-Prex: lawn and a pontoon at the water's edge, facing the medieval village.
• Allaman beach: grass, pebbles and tall trees in a natural setting away from big infrastructure. Public and free.

For the rest of the shore towards Geneva, we have put together a full guide to the beaches of Lake Geneva from Geneva to Rolle.

Around Lausanne: sand within minutes of the city

No need to drive far to lay down your towel: the Lausanne area has several proper beaches, all free.

• Préverenges beach: the great sandy beach of Lake Geneva, perfect for sandcastles and endless paddling.
• Pélican beach, in Saint-Sulpice: swimming and a park by the water in a peaceful setting.
• Dorigny beach: a big lawn and sand at the foot of the UNIL campus, with a playground and shady corners.
• Vidy beach: the largest free beach on Lake Geneva, in the heart of Parc Louis Bourget in Lausanne. Sand, large shaded lawns and swimming for the whole family.
• Voile d'Or beach: the quieter corner of Vidy, on the west side of Bellerive, for those looking for calm just outside the city.

Lavaux and the Riviera: swimming with the Alps in view

Between the terraced vineyards and Montreux, swimming takes on a postcard feel.

• Curtinaux beach, in Lutry: a large shaded lawn and a pebble shore, between Lausanne and the Lavaux vineyards.
• Moratel beach, in Cully: a vast lawn and a small cove in the heart of Lavaux, with a magnificent view of the Alps.
• The Parc de l'Arabie beach, in Vevey: shaded lawn, pebbles and children's games, all freely accessible.
• Vevey-Corseaux Plage: the special case on this list, a swimming pool with pools and a paddling pool that opens directly onto a Lake Geneva beach. Handy when you want both.
• La Maladaire beach, in La Tour-de-Peilz: pebbles, shaded lawns, hot showers and a kiosk-restaurant. One of the Riviera's best-loved public beaches, and it is free.
• Chillon beach, in Veytaux: a small pebble cove nestled at the very foot of Chillon Castle. Wild, free and spectacular.

Lake Joux: swimming at over 1,000 metres

Perched in the Vaud Jura, Lake Joux is the largest lake at this altitude in Switzerland. Its water naturally stays cooler than the lowland lakes: even at the height of summer it rarely exceeds 20 to 22 degrees. That is precisely its charm on heatwave days.

• Le Pont beach: pebbles, grass and clear water in the village of Le Pont, with the fresh Jura air thrown in.
• The Pointe de Sable beach, in Le Lieu: a small wild, free spot tucked away from the roads. The go-to for families in search of tranquillity.
• Les Bioux beach: grass for the towel, pebbles at the water's edge and a real holiday feel, at 1,004 metres of altitude.
• Rocheray beach: lawn, tables and barbecue spots, with the neighbouring water sports base for renting a paddleboard, kayak or pedal boat.

The Vaud shore of Lake Neuchâtel: a paradise of sand

From Yverdon-les-Bains to Cudrefin, the Vaud shore of Lake Neuchâtel is the one with gently sloping sandy beaches, often on the edge of the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve.

• Yverdon-les-Bains beach: a big lawn, sand and water that deepens very gradually, with a playground. A family summer classic, free of charge.
• The sandy beaches of Yvonand: fine sand sloping gently into shallow water, on the edge of the Grande Cariçaie. Postcard scenery.
• Onnens beach: a quiet swim in the middle of the woods, between Grandson and Yverdon. Free and peaceful.
• Bellerive beach, in Grandson: shaded lawn, snack bar and play area, far from the crowds of the big beaches.
• Corcelettes beach, also in Grandson: a lawn lined with pine trees and direct access to the water, perfect for a picnic in the shade.
• Cudrefin beach: a large stretch of sand, shallow water and a playground, freely accessible on the southern shore of the lake.
• Chevroux beach: a small free sandy beach right by the harbour, with natural shade and a barbecue available.

To explore the Neuchâtel and Fribourg shores as well, head to our guide to the best beaches on Lake Neuchâtel for families.

The Vaud corner of Lake Murten

It is often forgotten, but canton Vaud also owns a piece of Lake Murten. Its shallow depth often makes it the warmest lake in the region: the water heats up quickly with the first warm days, which makes it an excellent early-season swimming spot.

• Faoug beach: sand and grass right next to the little harbour, a few minutes from the train station. Family-friendly and free.
• The little beach of Vallamand, in Vully-les-Lacs: a strip of grass and a gentle shoreline, free to enter, far from the bustle of the big beaches.

What water temperature to expect?

Each lake has its own rhythm. Lake Geneva is cool in spring, then regularly exceeds 22 to 25 degrees near the shores in summer. Lake Neuchâtel often warms up a little faster: from late June, the water frequently reaches 20 to 24 degrees. Lake Murten, being shallow, is generally the warmest of the three. And Lake Joux, up in the mountains, remains the most invigorating on the list.

Our lake pages show the water temperature in real time, the trend over the past 24 hours and the monthly averages: everything you need to pick the right day, and the right lake, before loading up the car.

Choosing the right beach for your children's ages

• With a baby or a toddler (0 to 3): go for gently sloping sand and shallow water. Préverenges, Yvonand, Cudrefin or Yverdon beach are perfect for paddling under close supervision, with shade nearby.
• With children aged 4 to 9: a playground next to the water changes everything. Mies, Vidy, La Maladaire or the Trois-Jetées in Nyon let you alternate between swimming and playing without getting back in the car.
• With older kids (10 and up): the jetties in Nyon for jumping, Lake Joux to combine a swim with paddleboard rental at Rocheray, or the coves of Lavaux for an outing that beats any pool.

Safety: good habits at the lakes

Most of the beaches in this selection are public beaches with no lifeguards. A few simple rules let you enjoy the lake with peace of mind:

• Always keep young children within arm's reach in the water, even where the bottom slopes gently.
• Give non-swimmers armbands or a life jacket, and be wary of inflatable toys when the wind blows offshore.
• Get into the water gradually, especially early in the season or at Lake Joux: cool water catches you off guard.
• After a downpour or a storm, wait a little before swimming near river mouths.
• Check the weather and the flag where there is one: on Lake Geneva, wind warnings are taken seriously.

And if the water really is too cold, the canton's swimming pools take over, from the outdoor pool in Yverdon to Vevey-Corseaux Plage.

Enjoy the swim, and don't forget the sunscreen: on the lakes of Vaud, the finest days are often the longest.