The family-friendly Servion zoo, beautifully located near Lausanne, is a great day-trip destination from Geneva and a fun day out for children of all ages.
The Servion Zoo and Tropiquarium are the best zoos and animal parks in the Lake Geneva region. It is beautifully located in a forested area in the hills above Lausanne. The zoo is a great family-friendly day-trip destination and an easy drive from Genève and other Lac Léman towns as well as Bern and the Valais region.
The Servion Zoo and Tropiquarium near Lausanne in Switzerland
The Servion Zoo and Tropiquarium are located right next to each other near Lausanne, inland from the Lake Geneva region. The Servion zoo has an eclectic collection of animals – ranging from tigers and lions to bears and arctic wolves – while the Tropiquarium has mostly birds and reptiles on display.
Admission to the Servion Zoo and the Tropiquarium is separate and both areas have their attractions. The zoo is rightly popular with families with the better play areas and larger restaurant. Picnicking is allowed in both areas.
The Servion Zoo near Lausanne in the Lac Léman Region of Switzerland
The Servion Zoo near Lausanne has a surprisingly large and diverse collection of animals including a variety of primates, lions, monkeys, foxes, buffalo, bears, deer, and birds. Of particular note are the snow panthers, arctic wolves, lynxes, and Siberian tigers. The brown bears and monkeys are generally very entertaining too.
The zoo is well laid out making it easy to follow the route on paved paths without needing to back track to see all the around 30 animal enclosures. Large windows allow visitors to see into the shelters during winter but the zoo is undoubtedly a better treat during the warmer months.
The Servion Tropiquarium near Lausanne in the Lac Léman Region, Switzerland
The Servion Tropiquarium is divided into three main areas: the main building with restaurant and the reptile Vivarium, a penguin pool, and the aviary. The Tropiquarium is much smaller than the zoo.
The hothouse Vivarium area of the Tropiquarium houses mostly reptiles behind glass (and often under heat lamps). A variety of snakes, dragons, lizards, and frogs can be seen.
See the full list of animals (in French only) on show at the Tropiquarium.
The penguins’ swimming pool at the Tropiquarium has glass walls allowing children to see the penguins swimming both underwater and above water, when penguins show a remarkably duck-like body shape.
Birds and tortoises can be admired in several huge enclosures. Visitors may enter many of the large bird cages in the aviary.
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for the Servion Zoo and Tropiquarium
Both the Zoo and Tropiquarium in Servion are opened every day of the year. Opening time is 9 am year round and closing at 7 pm in summer and 6 pm in winter. The last admissions are an hour before closing time.
Admission to the zoo or Tropiquarium is each CHF10 for adults and CHF5 for children 6 to 16 years old. A combination ticket for both Servion Zoo and the Tropiquarium on the same day is priced at CHF17 for adults and CHF9 for children. Discount offers are often available to reduce admission fees somewhat.
Admission is thus not particularly cheap but not expensive either by Swiss standards. It is easy to spend several hours at the zoo and food sold inside is reasonably priced.
Family-Friendly Servion Zoo and Tropiquarium near Lake Geneva
The zoo is very family friendly and fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Picnicking is allowed inside the zoo while a self-service restaurant provides simple meals and drinks at reasonable prices.
A large play area is conveniently located next to the terraces of the restaurants. The zoo’s facilities are generally better and larger than those at the Tropiquarium.
Transportation to the Servion Zoo and Tropiquarium in Switzerland
The Servion Zoo and Tropiquarium are best reached by private car. The closest Autoroute exits are Lausanne-Vennes and Puidoux-Chexbres. Drivers arriving from Bern or Fribourg may prefer the Vaulruz exit from the A12. Free parking is available.
It is also possible to reach the Servion zoo on the Car Postal post buses 085 and Lausanne bus TL65. These buses stop right in front of the zoo a few times per day but services are only available on weekdays.
Publicar sometimes has special savings combination transportation and admission ticket offers.
See Swiss Railways for online timetables and tickets for all forms of public transportation in Switzerland.
Zoos and Animal Parks near Lake Geneva
- Servion Zoo and Tropiquarium near Lausanne
- Juraparc in the Vallée de Joux near Vallorbe
- Zoo La Garenne in Vaud near Gland
- Papiliorama Swiss Tropical Gardens in Kerzers (Chiètres)