Six Museums to Discover as a Family in the Canton of Vaud
Between lake, vineyards and mountains, the canton of Vaud is full of places where young and old can learn, play and marvel together. Here is our selection of six museums for outings that work whatever the weather.
On rainy days, autumn weekends and long school holidays, the question is always the same: where can you take the kids without boring the parents? In the canton of Vaud, the answer comes down to six addresses, from a fortress hidden in the rock to Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium.
1. Fort de Chillon: a Secret Adventure Inside the Mountain
Everyone knows Chillon Castle, but few people realize that a military fortress is hidden right next to it, carved into the rock on the shores of Lake Geneva. The Musée Fort de Chillon in Veytaux invites families into a former artillery fortress that remained secret for a long time.
Galleries, casemates, cannons, command posts: the place is ideal terrain for curious children. The youngest enjoy a genuine expedition, while adults discover a little-known chapter of Swiss military history and national defense. The visit, often guided, brings history to life and makes it accessible. Bring a light jacket: the temperature inside the rock stays cool, even in midsummer.
2. Espace des Inventions (Lausanne): Science You Can Touch
In the heart of the Vallée de la Jeunesse in Lausanne, the Espace des Inventions proves that science can be a game. Here, you handle, test, make mistakes and try again. Interactive exhibitions and workshops invite children to understand the world around them, from optical illusions to everyday mechanisms.
The venue also appeals to parents, who easily get caught up in the fun. It is a lovely way to turn young children’s curiosity into a real passion for science.
https://www.espace-des-inventions.ch
3. Chaplin’s World (Corsier-sur-Vevey): Inside Charlie Chaplin’s Universe
The Manoir de Ban, where Charlie Chaplin lived with his family for nearly twenty-five years, has become a museum that is as moving as it is spectacular. Chaplin’s World offers a two-part tour: the family home and the studio, where recreated sets and wax figures immerse visitors in the world of silent film.
Children are often surprised at how well the Tramp’s humor travels across generations. The gags, the costumes and the reconstructed film sets make this visit a moment of shared laughter. The park surrounding the manor is also a perfect spot for an outdoor break.
4. Alimentarium (Vevey): Everything About What We Eat
Set on the lakeside in Vevey, the Alimentarium is the food museum. Where does our food come from? How does our body process it? Why do we eat what we eat? The exhibitions answer these questions in a playful, hands-on way.
The cooking workshop and the garden are particularly popular with families: you taste, smell and experiment. It is a museum that makes you hungry, literally and figuratively, and it pairs nicely with an ice cream along the Vevey quays.
5. Musée du Jeu (La Tour-de-Peilz): The Joy of Play, Across the Ages
Few museums are so aptly named. Housed in the château of La Tour-de-Peilz, the Swiss Museum of Games brings together games from around the world and from every era: board games, card games, games of skill, games of chance. The medieval setting adds a touch of magic to the visit.
Best of all, you can play here too. Parents, children and grandparents gather around a table for an impromptu game, far from screens. The museum also offers activities and workshops designed for families.
6. Aquatis (Lausanne): A World Tour Without Leaving the Water
Finally, head to Lausanne and Aquatis, an aquarium-vivarium devoted to fresh water. Along the route, you travel from Swiss rivers to the great rivers of the Amazon and Africa, meeting fish, turtles, reptiles, amphibians and even a few mammals along the way.
Children press their noses against the glass, while adults let themselves be soothed by the blue light of the tanks. It is an ideal outing when the sky is grey, and a gentle way to raise the whole family’s awareness of water conservation and biodiversity.
Practical Tips for Your Outing
Before setting out, check opening hours and prices on each museum’s website, as they vary by season and day of the week. Also look out for family discounts, combined tickets and online booking options, which often let you skip the queue at the entrance.
Finally, nothing stops you from combining two visits in the same day. Between Veytaux, Vevey, Corsier-sur-Vevey and La Tour-de-Peilz, distances are short, and the Vaud Riviera offers lovely breaks along the lake.