Spread over 200 hectares of forests and meadows, the Arboretum du Vallon de l’Aubonne brings together a collection of trees and shrubs from the world’s temperate zones. Trails lead you past the river, a pond, recreated forests and heritage orchards.
Nature reserves and parks
Main highlights
- Thousands of trees and shrubs from every temperate zone on the planet
- Recreated forests from the northwestern United States and Japan to explore on foot
- A Wood Museum dedicated to traditional woodworking and forestry trades
Overview
Founded in 1968, the Arboretum du Vallon de l’Aubonne is a botanical collection of woody plants from the temperate zones of the globe. It covers 200 hectares of forests and meadows across the municipalities of Aubonne, Montherod, Bière and Saint-Livres.
The site lies between 500 and 670 m above sea level. It is crossed by the Aubonne river, which flows down from the north and is joined by the Toleure. Its mission is scientific, educational and recreational : to help people discover and appreciate trees.
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What to see and do
The themed collections bring together thousands of species and varieties of trees and shrubs, arranged by species and by continent of origin. The recreated forests of the northwestern United States (Washington-Oregon ecotype) and Japan let you compare different forest environments.
The Wood Museum presents woodworking and forestry trades through a collection of old tools and objects. The “orchards of yesteryear” preserve old traditional fruit varieties.
Several waymarked trails wind among the trees and shrubs, along the river and around the pond. The Arbr’espace welcomes visitors with an exhibition gallery and a shop offering information, books, souvenirs and regional products.
Practical information
Getting there : about a 10-minute drive from Aubonne, with a large car park.
Visit duration : allow 3 to 4 hours to explore the whole site.
Suitable for : walkers, families, students and botany enthusiasts.
On site : visitor area, shop, exhibition gallery and picnic areas.
Visitor tips
Bring good walking shoes : the trails are waymarked but the grounds are extensive.
Each season transforms the site : blossoms in spring, lush foliage in summer, vibrant colours in autumn and bare tree silhouettes in winter. With children, combine the Wood Museum with a picnic break.
Nearby
- The Signal de Bougy, at 707 m above sea level, is home to the Pré-Vert family leisure park, with views over Lake Geneva and the Alps.
- The Zoo de la Garenne showcases European wildlife and works to protect local species.
- The Château de Morges, a 13th-century Savoyard square castle, houses museums on Swiss military history and the arts.
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