Summer in Lausanne: Family Activities Around Lake Geneva

Lausanne in summer transforms into a city of outdoor family fun. The lake turns deep blue, the terraces fill up and the Alps sit sharp and clear on the horizon. For families living here or arriving for the season, the possibilities are endless and the pace suits both restless teenagers and small children who want to be near water from the moment they wake up.

Whether you are settled in the area or have just arrived in the Vaud region with children in tow, here is how to make the most of the season.

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Get out on Lake Geneva

The lake is the heart of the summer. Ouchy, the lakeside district at the foot of the city, is where most families start. You can hire pedal boats and kayaks, swim from the public lido and walk the promenade as far as you like in either direction.

For a more ambitious adventure, ferries run regularly between Lausanne and the lake towns of Evian-les-Bains, Montreux and Vevey. A day trip to Montreux, home to Chillon Castle and a Saturday market that runs through summer, is worth the short crossing.

Paddleboarding has become popular along much of the Swiss Riviera. Hire points are available around Pully and St-Sulpice, and the lake is calm enough most mornings for complete beginners to start with confidence.

Head into the Alps for the day

The mountains are less than an hour from the city and easily accessible for families with younger children. Above Montreux, the Rochers-de-Naye cogwheel train is a classic day trip. The journey climbs from the lakeside up to 2,042 metres, and the views across the lake and into France are spectacular. There is a marmot park at the top that is especially delightful for primary-age children.

Les Pléiades, reachable by rack railway from Blonay, is gentler, making it a good option for picnics and easier walking with small children. In July and August, the wildflowers are at their best.

For older children and teenagers who crave more physical activity, the Pays-d'Enhaut valley around Château-d'Oex offers hiking, paragliding and mountain biking for different levels of experience.

Explore the cities around the Lake

Lausanne itself rewards curious explorers. The Old Town, the Cathedral and Lausanne's arts district Plateforme 10 are each worth half a day. The Olympic Museum at Ouchy is expertly designed, providing fascinating insights and inspiration for sports-minded children and teenagers.

Geneva is forty minutes away by train. The Old Town, the Jet d'Eau and the Natural History Museum are all free or very low cost. Nyon, halfway between the two cities, is quieter with a Roman museum, a castle and easy lake access that feels less crowded than the main centres.

Vevey deserves more attention than it usually gets. The Alimentarium, a food and nutrition museum by the lake, is interactive and well suited to children of most ages. The Saturday market by the water is one of the best in the region.

Find summer sports and activities

Swiss summer sport goes well beyond hiking. Outdoor climbing walls operate near Lausanne throughout the season. The Piscine de Bellerive is the main outdoor swimming complex and gets busy on warm days, so early morning or late afternoon is the better time to go. For a quieter alternative with a more local feel, Pully Plage, just a few minutes away on the shores of Lake Geneva, offers a smaller but equally delightful spot for swimming, relaxing and enjoying the summer atmosphere.

Cycling around the lake is a pleasure on well-maintained paths. PubliBike, the local hire scheme, is available across the city. The route from Lausanne to Morges along the lake is flat, family-friendly and takes you past vineyards and charming waterfront villages.

Plan around the summer festivals

The region has a busy festival calendar. The Paléo Festival in Nyon is one of Europe's largest open-air music events and runs each July. Montreux Jazz Festival takes place in early July and draws visitors from around the world, though the free lakeside stages are just as popular as the ticketed shows.

The Fête de la Cité in Lausanne and various village festivals across the Vaud canton bring local culture into the open throughout August.

Keep children learning through the summer

Six or seven weeks is a long time to step entirely away from learning. Research consistently shows that children who read regularly, practise a language or engage with problem-solving activities over the summer return to school noticeably better prepared. Our article on avoiding the summer slide has practical ideas for keeping learning going through the holidays in a way that feels effortlessly enjoyable.

For teenagers starting a new school in August

The final weeks of summer are particularly important for teenagers who are joining a new school, moving to a new country or stepping into a bilingual environment for the first time. Our guide to summer routine tips for teenagers provides advice for making the transition smoother, from language preparation and sleep routines to getting mentally ready for a different kind of school year.

Thinking about the new school year

Summer goes faster than anyone expects. Our back to school checklist for Switzerland covers everything from uniforms and documents to routines and first-day nerves, so you arrive at September feeling ready rather than rushed.

If you would like to find out more about Collège Champittet, our bilingual programmes or our holiday clubs and camps, get in touch with our admissions team or book a visit to our Pully campus. We would be happy to show you around.