Knowledge & culture

Discover the BirdLife Nature Centre at La Sauge

An excursion to a paradise for birds on the southern shores of Lake Neuchâtel

The BirdLife Nature Centre at La Sauge is on the edge of the Cudrefin nature reserve at the south-east tip of Lake Neuchâtel. From here, you can also explore Switzerland’s largest lakeside wetland, the Grande Cariçaie.

The nature centre offers a permanent and a special exhibition, a natural laboratory and a nature trail with three observation huts. The observation huts offer the chance for some fascinating animal observations and are designed to not disturb the animals. Both the centre and the nature trail and observation huts are wheelchair accessible. The centre offers nature-themed events and an educational exhibition. Animals and birds in particular can be observed undisturbed from the nature trail and the three observation huts.

The Nature Centre is easy to get to by public transport. Take the train as far as Ins or Avenches, then travel onward by bus to «Cudrefin, La Sauge». The bus stop is right by the main entrance.

Offers

The BirdLife Nature Centre at La Sauge, located between Ins (canton of Bern) and Cudrefin (canton of Vaud), occupies a site on the edge of Switzerland’s two most important reserves for the protection of birds: the Le Fanel reserve and the Cudrefin reserve, on the south-eastern shores of Lake Neuchâtel (Grande Cariçaie).

The nature centres includes a temporary exhibition and a 500-metre-long outdoor trail, equipped with four hides from which visitors can observe the local fauna without causing any disturbance. The centre and the outdoor facilities are fully accessible to visitors with restricted mobility.

Located next door to the nature centre, the Auberge de La Sauge offers food and drink including local produce, as well as meeting facilities and accommodation in 12 hotel rooms.

Guided tours

The staff at the nature centre are available to guide you in discovering the nature of the local region. We are able to accompany you to places in the surrounding area or to the Le Fanel or Cudrefin nature reserves. We favour an interactive style of guiding based on personal and play-based discovery, particularly where children are involved. The activities are led by biologists or naturalists who regularly collaborate with the nature centre. Subject to advance reservation (max. 20 adults or 24 children per group).

Adventure Game: There is only a little time

The Adventure Game is an interactive game in which various tasks and tricky puzzles have to be solved in a group. The goal is to secure the future of the Earth in the given time. In the process, they have to keep uncovering new clues that will lead them to the solution. The game takes place outside.

Duration: 1 hour
Participants: 2 to 5 people max

Special exhibition «Insects – secret heroes»

For once, the special exhibition "Insects – secret heroes" focuses on the very small animals. Insects from all habitats can be explored up close using augmented reality. With the flight simulators, visitors can fly through a flower meadow and experience insects up close. A flight with the simulator is available at the entrance for CHF 2.00, while all other flights cost CHF 5.00.

Opening hours

From 4 March to 20 October 2024

Mon & Tue closed
Wed–Sun 09.00–18.00 hours

Open on public holidays (Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, national holiday)

As of 21 October 2024 the BirdLife Nature Centre will be closed.

Subject to change without prior notice

Rates

Individual entry

CHF 8.00 Adults
CHF 5.00 Children (6-15.99 years)
CHF 5.00 Members of BirdLife Switzerland on presentation of card
CHF 7.00 Students, AHV/IV recipients on presentation of card
CHF 26.00 Family from 2 children
Disabled visitors: normal rate + 1 companion free of charge

Season ticket

CHF 50.00 Adults
CHF 25.00 Children (6-15.99 years)

Group rates (groups of 11 people or more)

CHF 7.00 Adults
CHF 4.00 Children (6-15.99 years)

Prices incl. VAT / Prices subject to alteration

How to get there

By train and bus

Travel in comfort by train to Ins or Avenches. Then continue by bus and get off at the «Cudrefin, La Sauge» stop.

By bike

Travel in comfort by train to Ins. From Ins train station, cycle on a rented bike through the largest vegetable garden in Switzerland to La Sauge (approx. 8.5 kilometres). Book your bike.