Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium is a fun family attraction in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is located above Lausanne, around 15 minutes away from the heart of the city.
Lausanne welcomed this new-generation aquarium in 2017. Aquatis is not a traditional aquarium because its focus is on freshwater species. The aquarium also takes you on a virtual trip to the five continents.
Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium is not only Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium. It also contains other special animals such as the Komodo Dragon and the world’s most powerful poisonous snake – the Taipan. At Aquatis, over 100 reptiles and amphibians are on display. They house monkeys, snakes, frogs, reptiles, snakes, and many more.
Overview: Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium
| Age Group | All ages |
| Category | Animals |
| Expected Duration | 1-2 Hours, Half Day |
| Cost | * Adults - CHF 29 * Students / AVS / AI - CHF 25 * Children (6-15 years) - CHF 19 * Happy hour starting at 5:00 PM - CHF 10 * Children under 6 years old - Free |
| Address | Rte de Berne 144 1010 Lausanne |
| Website | https://www.aquatis.ch/ |
| Opening Hours | Daily, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Public Transport | P+R Vennes |
Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium in Lausanne opened its doors in 2017. The Aquarium-Vivarium was built to house freshwater species in over 3,500 m² of space. Inside, you will find more than 10,000 fishes and a hundred various reptiles and amphibians. All of these animals come from 5 continents in the world that Aquatis is committed to protecting and promoting.
The animals are presented and kept under strict ethical conditions under the standards of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and the Code of Ethics of the International Council of Museums (ICOM). Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium is also committed to the protection of freshwater areas by implementing joint projects with other scientific organizations.
Learn at Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium
You can easily spend hours in the Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium wandering about and viewing the various animals. Each station has a screen displaying explanations about the animal or animals housed there. They then give the animal’s name, its Latin name, its size, and a short description. All the explanations are presented in a succinct and informative manner.
The screens display whether the animal is Extinct, Endangered, or Vulnerable. There are nine classifications.
Interactive screens provide information about animals in English, French, and German. You can also download an interactive app for the Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium on your iOS or Android phone. Everything is written in an easy-to-understand way, with very insightful explanations.
River Systems at Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium
Walking through the aquariums is like being transported to various river systems around the world. The first part will focus on the rivers near Lausanne, in particular, the Rhône River. Flowing west and south through Lake Geneva and southeastern France. TheRhône River originates in theRhône Glacier and traverses France and Switzerland. TheRhône then empties into the Mediterranean Sea.
While moving along the next exhibits within Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium, you will discover the rivers and lakes throughout Africa, Asia, and the Amazon region.
Children and adults alike will enjoy learning about rivers and their ecosystems through this immersive and interactive scenography. Additionally, AquatisAquarium-Vivarium provides an immersive experience through the presence of moving or static light effects on the floor. It can be enjoyed as a recreational area and as an educational one – perfect for any type of weather, even on rainy days.
Highlights at Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium
- Over thousands of animals – fishes, reptiles, and amphibians
- Nursery with the baby reptiles
- Underwater tunnel with views of all the fishes swimming around
- Komodo Dragon
- Taipan – World’s Most Poisonous Snake
Restaurant, Hotel, and Shop at Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium
- Restaurant – Restaurant food is average, neither good nor bad.
- Outside Area – There is a big open area outside the restaurant, aquarium, and hotel. For those who wish to eat outside, there are some tables and chairs. The water fountains are sometimes set up for small children to play in. Sometimes the water fountains are turned on, sometimes they are not.
- Shop – At the aquarium’s exit, you will find a souvenir shop where you can buy plush toys, key rings, t-shirts, books, and more.
- Aquatis Hotel – Aquatis Hotel offers 143 rooms. It is clean and modern. The breakfast is good, although its selection is not huge. In most cases, guests are offered discounted aquarium tickets when they book their stay with the hotel.
How to Get to Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium
Transport-wise, Aquatis is easily accessible. It is located about 15 minutes away from Lausanne city center. Cars can be parked in the parking garage directly adjacent to the aquarium.
You can reach Lausanne-Vennes by taking the A9 motorway. Take the Route de Berne to Moudon / Epalinges. Follow the sign for P+R Vennes. You can then enter the parking lot.
The metro connects to the Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium building. From Lausanne, simply take the M2 in the direction of Croisettes. Get off at the Vennes stop. It takes around 10 minutes total.
Summary: Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium
It makes our kids so happy every time we visit this place. While we have been here several times as a family, it never gets boring to return to it. The place is definitely worth a visit if you are in Lausanne or the surrounding area. It’s also worth the price, although some people might find the price a bit steep.
I appreciate how the museum is designed – not too busy, but not too quiet either. The exhibits flow smoothly from one theme to another and there is no confusion. The tanks are well-maintained, and the screens and displays work. There are some similarities to other aquariums in the rest of the world, but the immersive and interactive experience makes it stand out. The emphasis on freshwater species and ecosystems also sets it apart.
During weekends, the place can be quite busy, so it might be better to purchase tickets online to save yourself time. Tickets can sometimes be 30% cheaper online as well. You might also be able to get a discount from Coop or SBB. Guests can also book an Aquatis Hotel package with discounted Aquatis tickets along with their accommodations.
Moreover, if you visit after 5:00 PM you’ll only have to pay 10 CHF. This is a great deal for those who have already visited the place and do not want to stay longer. Those who think they can move around fast without having to really engage in the interactive learning experience offered here can opt for this Happy Hour ticket too.
I think some people might find it too expensive. Anyone interested in animal learning and who understands how costly it is to maintain the Aquarium-Vivarium and thousands of animals will surely be willing to pay this price. In our case, we will happily pay the price and visit again and again. You are not just supporting the infrastructure by visiting, but also their species conservation programs.
Aquatis Aquarium-Vivarium is a great family activity in Lausanne. You can also expect lots of fun for the kids.
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