The Lausanne Botanical Garden displays more than 6,000 plant species across 6 hectares in the Parc de Milan. Explore tropical greenhouses, an alpine garden, an arboretum, medicinal plants and a vivarium of amphibians and reptiles.
Botanical gardens
Lausanne Botanical Garden
Main highlights
- More than 6,000 plant species from five continents, arranged in themed areas
- Tropical and Mediterranean greenhouses, including one dedicated to carnivorous plants
- A vivarium featuring poison dart frogs, chameleons, geckos and snakes
Overview
The garden’s history dates back to 1788, when the Academy of Lausanne created a botanical garden for teaching medicine and pharmacy. At the time, medicinal plants made up most of the collections.
After several relocations, the garden settled in the Parc de Milan, on the Montriond hill, on a 6-hectare site. Affiliated with the University of Lausanne and the City, it carries out a mission of conservation, research and public awareness. It takes part in international programmes to safeguard endangered species.
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What to see and do
The systematic garden presents the major botanical families according to their classification. The medicinal and aromatic plants section brings together more than 500 species, labelled with their properties. The arboretum features giant sequoias, century-old cedars, ginkgos and tulip trees. The alpine garden recreates rockeries, scree slopes and high-altitude meadows, with species from the Alps and other mountain ranges.
The hot greenhouse recreates a tropical rainforest : tree ferns, orchids, bromeliads and lianas. The Mediterranean greenhouse showcases cacti, agaves, olive trees and citrus adapted to drought. One greenhouse is home to carnivorous plants : Venus flytraps, pitcher plants and sundews.
The vivarium displays amphibians and reptiles in terrariums that recreate their habitats. Labels describe each species’ biology, distribution and conservation status.
Practical information
Getting there : Parc de Milan, buses 1 and 25 to the Jardin botanique stop, metro M2 to the Délices stop. A 10-minute walk from the CFF railway station.
Visit duration : 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Visitors : stabilised paths and ramps into the greenhouses for people with reduced mobility. Pets are not allowed.
On site : greenhouses, vivarium and botanical conservatory. Themed guided tours on some weekends.
Visiting tips
Come in spring or early summer for bulbs, rhododendrons and peonies, or in autumn for the foliage. The greenhouses offer shelter on rainy or cold days. In summer, visit them preferably in the morning.
This place is part of the Discover Lausanne on foot selection.
Nearby
- The Musée de la main UNIL-CHUV explores science and medicine through interactive exhibitions.
- Photo Elysée, at Plateforme 10, is devoted to photography, both historical and contemporary.
- The Church of Saint-François in Lausanne, a 13th-century Gothic building, houses four organs.
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