In Avenches, in the Broye region of Vaud, the Ludothèque du Château lends games and toys to families in the area. The principle is that of a library, applied to play: you borrow, you play, you bring it back, then you choose something else. A simple way to vary the fun at home without stacking up boxes.
For children, every visit is a chance to discover something: an unfamiliar board game, a different kind of toy, an activity idea for a Wednesday or a grey Sunday. And for parents, it is a chance to try a game out before deciding whether it deserves a permanent spot on the shelf.
Practical information is available from the municipality of Avenches, whose website presents the leisure activities on offer for children and young people.
Kids activities nearby
Family outing ideas around the toy library.
Want a real beach day without leaving the Swiss Romande? The Plage de Salavaux, in Vully-les-Lacs, features a long stretch of sand and grass by Lake Murten. Free entry, shallow water, shade from the pines: it's one of the most family-friendly spots in the area. Shall we take you there?
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Want a simple and free day of swimming with the kids by Lake Murten? In Faoug, on the Vaud shore, a lovely sandy and grassy beach awaits you, right next to the small port and just a few minutes from the train station. Perfect for laying down your towel without breaking the bank.
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Want a family day with your feet in the sand by Lake Neuchâtel? The beach of Portalban, in Delley-Portalban, welcomes you with its fine sand, lawn, playground, and snack bar. A perfect spot in Romandy to relax all summer long.
View detailsNearby toy libraries
Other toy libraries in the same canton.
Ludothèque Pinocchio - Courtepin
Courtepin, 1784
A team wholly devoted to play keeps Ludothèque Pinocchio in Courtepin running: a committee of three people, supported by around ten assistant toy librarians, staffs the sessions on Wednesday afternoons (13:30 – 15:30) and Saturday mornings (09:00 – 11:00). On the shelves at Route de Fribourg 19, more than 1,000 games await families from the region. Designed first and foremost for children, the toy library welcomes adult players just as readily, whether they are after a party game for an evening or a safe bet for a family Sunday. The lending principle keeps boxes rotating at home without piling up: you try, you adopt, or you bring it back and pick something else on your next visit.
Ludothèque La Marotte
Payerne, 1530
Borrowing a game for four weeks rather than buying it: that is the principle of the La Marotte toy library, in the centre of Payerne, which makes more than 1,000 games available to residents of the region. Plenty to keep the family games table regularly refreshed. Activities are run throughout the year, and gift vouchers make it easy to give the gift of play. The library also accepts donations of games and toys in good condition, which go on to enrich the shelves. Annual membership costs 20 francs for Payerne residents and 25 francs for other municipalities; it is free from the third member of the same family onwards. Openings take place two afternoons a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays from 15:00 to 18:00, on Rue du Châtelard.
Ludothèque Arc-en-ciel
Granges-Paccot, 1763
A birthday to organise? The municipal Ludothèque Arc-en-ciel in Granges-Paccot offers a selection intended specially for parties and birthdays, on top of the games it lends to children in the municipality throughout the year. Based at Route de Chantemerle 60, it opens three times a week: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 15:00 to 18:00, and Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00. It works in tandem with the municipal library, based a few numbers further along the same road, handy for combining games and books in a single outing. Note that the toy library is closed during the summer and Christmas holidays. The rest of the year, it gives families a simple way to vary the games at home without having to buy them.
