The Espace des inventions is an interactive museum dedicated to science, located in the Vallée de la Jeunesse in Lausanne. Children and their parents explore physics, biology and technology by handling and experimenting for themselves.
Natural science museums
Main highlights
- Hands-on exhibitions on a scientific theme, designed for young visitors
- Workshops led by facilitators during school holidays and on Wednesday afternoons
- Park setting in the Vallée de la Jeunesse, with playgrounds and lawns
Overview
The Espace des inventions was founded in 1996 by the Fondation Claude Oedipe. Its mission is to make science accessible and appealing to young audiences through a participatory, non-academic approach that nurtures curiosity from childhood.
The museum occupies a modern building with large picture windows in the Vallée de la Jeunesse, a vast landscaped park in the south of Lausanne. It mainly welcomes families and school groups from across French-speaking Switzerland.
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What to see and do
The museum focuses on hands-on exploration and direct experimentation. Each exhibition, renewed every two to three years, tackles a scientific theme through interactive devices : light and colour, sound and vibration, mechanisms and gears, or the properties of water. Topics span physics, biology, mathematics, chemistry and technology.
Each installation invites visitors to observe, test and understand a phenomenon. Simple panels and questions posed before each experiment guide the thinking. The devices are sturdy and intuitive, built to withstand constant handling.
Workshops led by science facilitators take place during school holidays and on Wednesday afternoons : group experiments, building activities and team challenges. Teachers can use dedicated resource packs to prepare for and follow up on the visit.
Practical information
Getting there : metro m1 towards Renens-Gare, Malley stop, then a 10-minute walk through the park, or bus 8, Vallée de la Jeunesse stop. On-site parking.
Visit duration : 1.5 to 2 hours, longer if children repeat the experiments.
Audience : children aged 7 to 12 and families, school groups. The site is fully wheelchair accessible.
On site : shop with science games and books, cloakroom and family-friendly restrooms.
Visiting tips
Mornings are often reserved for school classes, and Wednesday afternoons tend to be busy. Let children explore freely and return to the devices that captivate them.
In fine weather, extend your outing in the Vallée de la Jeunesse, with its playgrounds, sports fields, ice rink and lawns for picnics.
Nearby
- The Olympic Museum, on the shores of Lake Geneva, celebrates the Olympic spirit.
- The Roman Museum of Lausanne-Vidy houses the remains of an ancient residence of Lousonna.
- The Lausanne Botanical Garden brings together botanical collections, educational areas and walking paths.
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