The most beautiful natural sites to discover Romandy

Above all, there is a magnificent panorama of the Jura and the valley at the top of the hill, the Léman and the alpine mountains beyond. In fine weather you can see eight lakes in all, French-speaking Switzerland and neighbouring France. The situation of the Tooth, which culminates at 1 487 m, is of course a great deal. The chalet of the Tooth De is easily accessible by road or by various trails. In winter, you can mount a lift.

In the 18th century, a section of the mountain collapsed, transforming a charming mountain pasture into a field of rocks. The latter being rarer in Switzerland than the former, Derborence has at least gained fame, well helped by Ramuz' novel of the same name. The valley is ideal for exploring the surrounding nature where you will see the black cows native to the Val d'Hérens. You are in the heart of the mountain pastures and many walks from the lake are very accessible to all. Authentic, the mayens are the typical rural habitat of these mountain pastures.

Take the world's tallest subway to access the world's largest ice pavilion, which is next to the world's highest turning restaurant… A 70-metre tunnel leads to the heart of the Fee-old Glacier of several millennia at 3 456 metres above sea level. A huge ice cave with a volume of 5 500 cubic metres allows visitors to explore the depths of the glacier.

Lac de Joux (1 004 m), with Lake Brenet and Lake Ter, lies between the Chaîne chain and the massif du Mont Tender (1 679 m). It is the largest lake in the Jura (9,5 km ²), fed by the Orb and the Lion whose waters flow mainly into the limestone depths of the lake to the caves of Vallorbe. According to the season, it presents itself as a beautiful expanse of water surrounded by green mountains, paradise of wind-tops and bathers (the temperature of the water can reach 24 ° C)… or a gigantic natural rink marked with snow-capped peaks, the largest in Europe. In all seasons, it attracts many hikers and cyclists.

Located in a rocky cirque, it is the largest nature reserve in the canton (15.2 km²). Marmots, chamois and roe deer can be observed in freedom in a majestic setting. At the foot of the amphitheatre, the Ferme-Robert (972 m), built in 1750 and the scene of a famous fight between the woodcutter David Robert and the last bear in the region, is a good place to take a walk from Noiraigue (50 min. on foot). The alpine hut has a beautiful view over the valley.

This lake actually gathers two small ones. They can be found by taking the road from Chippis to Sion. The larger lake, where swimming is recommended, is dominated by the hill of the same name and the 14th century convent which has been home to a congregation of Bernardine nuns since 1935. It is a very pleasant place to come and cool off in summer. It is also a paradise for children who come to have fun. The smaller lake is suitable for walking and remains wilder.

On the road to Besançon, about 15 km away, the Réclère caves are remarkable for their stalagmites and stalactites. Nearby is the Préhisto-Parc, which presents some reproductions of prehistoric animals. You can walk through the park to meet 45 life-size dinosaurs and go back in time from amphibian fish to our human species. There are stables, a restaurant, a hotel, bungalows, a campsite and even yurts.

It took 17,500^m3 of sand to reconstitute a beach here... and it was well worth it! The 25 m wide strip of sand attracts crowds as soon as the sun comes out. With an ice cream in hand, sunbathing on a towel, it's almost like being at the seaside! What's more, next to the beach you'll find surf shops where you can hire nautical equipment (more stand-up paddle than surf here, mind you), and refreshment stands where you can enjoy a snack or a drink. A great place to have a good time.

Also known as "Swan Island" or "Rat Island", Salagnon is the last of the five islands in Lake Geneva (Peilz Island, Choisi Island, Harpe Island and Rousseau Island)... and the only inhabited island on the lake!

Until 1880, there was only one set of rocks, "les roches aux mouettes", in front of Clarens. During the construction of the railway from Le Bouveret to Evian, the Tonkin, the Montreux engineer Joseph d'Allinges loaded barges of Meillerie stones and poured them onto this set of rocks to form an island which he surrounded with a wall. He named it Salagnon in reference to the salt from Burgundy which was formerly presented to the customs in Clarens before being transported to Valais. The island was bought 10 years later by a French painter, Théobald Chartran, who had a sort of Florentine villa built there, by the architect Louis Villard, as well as a small port. Chartran used to organize sumptuous evenings there with illustrious characters and fireworks. When he died, the island was taken over by a Russian count, a Zurich merchant, and then an American, Mary Shillito. In 1947, Salagnon became the property of a Zurich resident, Baron Pflüger. Then in 1950, the small port of Le Basset is built, which will be quickly enlarged and which then seems to bring the island closer to the coast. The property was only accessible by boat; at the time, a boatman, who was rung with a bell, made the trip. Today the island, as well as the villa, are classified as cultural property of national importance.

The Bex Salt Works is the story of almost three hundred and fifty years of salt extraction. The first gallery was dug in 1684. Since then, it has been transformed to be accessible to the general public, but the place has kept its originality and the unique setting allows us to appreciate the gigantic labyrinth cut into the heart of the mountain, and to discover the underground world of salt mines. A small train takes you to the heart of the mine to continue 1 hour on foot in a vast maze of galleries, shafts, staircases, gigantic rooms ..

Many Locals and even Veveysans come to fill their barrels of this pure water!

The AstroPléiades course, designed for children and sponsored by astronaut Claude Nicollier, is divided into four stations giving information about the earth, galaxies, stars and the solar system. Each station presents three-dimensional models and fun activities. To extend the discovery, choose the Sentier des exoplanètes footpath linking Les Pléiades and Blonay in 2 hours of walking, always related to the space field.

From Yvonand to Démoret, the trail ranges between Valleys and Vaud countryside and offers breathtaking views of Lake Neuchâtel. Throughout the course, the hiker has the opportunity to discover the many cultural riches of this surprising region, such as the St. Martin Tower, the Oak-Pâquier round Church, the Roman catacombs of Démoret, etc.

Not far from the famous Diable gorges, in a magnificent setting,  this professional adventurers team offers varied water activities: rafting, hydrospeed, kayaking, canoeing, canyoning, mountain activities- via ferrata,  mountaineering - and an adventure playground with several levels. Reservations required for a tonic weekend with friends.

Created in 1973 by some 3 municipalities who wanted to enhance their wealth and take ownership of the idea of a balanced heritage management of nature and forest-pastoral economic activities, this park of 518 km ², now stamped Regional Natural Park covers districts: Morges, Nyon and North-Vaud. More than 31 000 people live within its perimeter. Its landscapes are made up of fertile lands at the foot of the Jura, forest masses and wooded pastures on the Alps of the Jura ridge and the Vallée de Joux. 520 km of trails with numerous signposted routes and thematic paths, some of which offer a breathtaking view of the Geneva basin and the Alps. In winter, cycling and hiking allow for cross-country skiing, track skiing or snow snowshoes. Many cottages of Alpine pastures are scattered in the park, some of which are still made of AOC. The Park offers a multitude of possibilities for excursions and accommodation in peaceful villages in the heart of a preserved region.

The forest of Finges, pine forest and alluvial zone of 1 000 ha is recognised at European level for the richness of its fauna and flora.

One of the most remarkable lake reserves in Europe. The Grande Cariçaie, an immense marsh on the edge of the lake, is home to a third of the country's flora and a quarter of its fauna, as well as many rare and endangered species. It is a precious refuge for birds that breed there or stop over during migration periods. The reserve can be explored on foot or by bike along marked paths from Yverdon-les-Bains to Cudrefin. An educational walk where 800 plant species are found.

The trail of the gorge between Saas-Fee and Saas-Grund offers an adventure in a gorge known as the Alpine Gorge. It is a "trail" between air, water and cliffs (but without contact with water). We advance on the ankles, ladders, trunks of trees and cliffs. The most amazing places are the tyrolean, the aerial cables at the James Bond. Suspended to a pulley, we slide, insured by the guide, from one side of the gorge to the other.

A place where the fauna and above all the flora are protected. The Finges Forest is one of the last and largest pine forests in Europe. This nature reserve of more than 1,000 hectares is home to an exceptional fauna and flora. 470 species of plants from Central Asia and the Mediterranean region flourish here. The sky is home to 132 species of birds, some of which are endangered, such as the bearded vulture, which was reintroduced to the Valais about ten years ago. The historical monument of the Finges Woods is located at the Leukerbad railway station.

A magical 1h25 cruise on this natural lake which is in fact a widening of the Doubs. The waterfall of the "Saut du Doubs", 27 m high, is spectacular! You might be tempted by a Franco-Swiss day out with a horse-drawn carriage ride and a boat trip after seeing the beautiful natural spectacle. There are different ways to discover the enchanted river during the summer, either by opting for a loop cruise or by taxi boat with a stop at the Doubs jump. In winter, the lake is transformed into a huge natural ice rink