This is an extract from ©Know-it-all passport®.
Whether you are the picnic type that makes fried chicken, cole slaw, potato salad and the works, or are the type to buy sandwiches en route, you are sure to find a cosy spot for a picnic with this list covering Geneva, Vaud, and neighboring France. Remember to take sun screen, lots of water, a picnic blanket, and possibly mosquito repellent as well!
Bois de la Batie
Ch. de la Bâtie and
Rte des Péniches
1213 Petit-Lancy
website
Bring your picnic basket and blanket and sprawl out on the lawn. There is a playground in part sun/part shade and a wading pool equipped with toilets and changing rooms. Visit the mini-zoo while you are there. Restaurants are nearby if you need an ice-cream!
Bois de Jussy - Réserve naturelle Bois Rosset
website
flyer
Great walking area with nice picnic spots in the Bois de Jussy on the rive gauche.
Bois de Versoix - Réserve naturelle Les Douves
website
flyer
Pleasant wood, nice paths, river, picnic sites (not marked), but possible anywhere.
Carouge-Parcours vita Park at the Ecole de Pinchat
website
Walk down to the bottom of this big hill. Ponies, picnic tables, and barbecue spot.
Les Evaux
110, ch. François-Chavaz
1213 Onex
website
At the date of this article, the park has been closed for Covid-19 reasons.
Playground and mini-train. Make sure you bring along a ball to kick around or a kite. Picnic area with barbecues. Make sure to take advantage of the terrific tree-climbing adventure. Note: You can arrive with the Geneva Mouette boats via the Rhône river.
Genève Plage
Port-Noir
1223 Cologny
022 736 24 82
website
A popular swimming area that boasts picnic areas. Heated Olympic pool, shallow pool, wading pool, beach with lake swimming. Long, twisty slide into pool. Diving from 1m, 3m, 5m, and 10m into lake. Lots of grassy areas and games. Towel and loungers for rent. Restaurant and shop. Open daily 9h-20h30, from 7h on Tuesday and Thursday. Price: Fr. 5.-/adult, Fr. 2.50/age 6-15.
La Plage Publique des Eaux-Vives
022 546 76 00
website
This free beach is twice as big as that of the Bains des Pâquis. This public beach was opened in 2020 and is beautifully located in the heart of Geneva and accessible to all. The swimming site, about 400m, goes right up to the Baby Plage and can accommodate 6,000 to 8,000 people on beautiful summer days! Take advantage of the excellent quality of Lake Geneva's waters following the many efforts made to clean it over recent years.
The beach is not made of sand but rather small pebbles so no need for shovels and pails. Shower stalls and toilets are onsite. A drink stand will be open all summer.
The Jura mountains - Swiss
Just before arriving at the Col du Marchairuz, up from Begnins, there are several parking areas. In the second parking area just up from the other one on the left, cross the road to find nice areas to picnic and walks that are signposted.
Mines de Sel de Bex
Rte des Mines de Sel
Le Bouillet
1880 Bex
024 463 03 30
website
Picnic tables available. Click here to read our article from 2015 with ideas of things to do in Valais, including the salt mines.
Parc des Eaux-Vives and Parc de la Grange
Av. William Favre and
Quai Gustav-Ador
1207 Genève
website Eaux-Vives
website Grange
Near the lake, an ideal spot in the summer with wading pools, separate play areas for older kids and little ones, and Indian teepees. Parc de la Grange often holds free concerts in the summertime and is a great place for a picnic.
Parc des Dronières
Cruseilles
France
website
The Parc des Dronières has some nice short walks through the woods, a fun playground with picnic tables and some friendly and greedy animals waiting to be fed.
Plage de Rolle
Chemin de la Plage
1180 Rolle
website
Go past the camping to access this beach. Barbecue and picnic tables are available. Pedalo rentals and a playground make the day all the more fun.
Plage du Vengeron
website
Between Chambésy and Bellevue (GE) on the lakeshore.
This grassy knoll is extremely popular and the best spots are taken quickly. Barbecues are set up for use and there are toilets, parking, a playground, beach, pedalo and boat rentals, a buvette, and more.
Salève
Office du Tourisme
74100 Annemasse
France
0033/450 95 07 10
website
Drive up to top or join the walking club on Sundays.
Base de loisirs de Samoëns
Tourist Office
0033/450 34 40 28
website
A picnic area is located at the leisure base at the entrance to the village. This picnic area is close to 2 lakes. It is equipped with tables, benches, garbage cans, parking, and sanitary facilities. This area is surrounded by tourist facilities: swimming pool, tennis, children's games, golf practice on water, archery and a small restaurant. Historic Monuments, alpine botanical garden to visit, eco-museum farm, and a variety of marked walks.
Signal de Sauvabelin
Lausanne
website
Park with pond, obscure animals like heritage varieties of ducks, hairy pigs, and goats, plus some climbing frames, a big pond, and playground apparatus. There is also a café for snacks or have a meal at the Auberge. Limited parking. A wooden tower built in 2003 from trees that were felled by the freak 1999 hurricane experienced in this area. If you have the courage to climb the 302 steps up to the top of the fantastic, spiraling wooden tower (35m high), you will be rewarded with a great view! Open 9h-21h summer, weather permitting.
Signal de Bougy
Parc Pré-Vert du Signal de Bougy
1172 Bougy-Villars
021 821 59 30
website
This is the ideal area for a picnic. Choose from picnic areas set up with barbecues or spread out your blanket in the vast choice of green spaces. Also a pond, good for sunbathing on the grass and nice shady areas available.
For lots more information on other great places to visit please go to pages 93-146 and 336-337 in Know-it-all passport® 11th edition. Would you like to suggest another picnic spot? Email us!
