Jardin botanique cantonal de Lausanne

About the museum

The botanical collections of the canton of Vaud go back to a herbarium established in 1824. In 1860 the Musée botanique became independent and, after several interim locations, moved in 1905 into the newly completed Palais de Rumine, where all the cantonal natural history collections were brought together. In 1967 botany moved to a new building in the Botanical Garden.

The garden itself originated from a donation by Albert de Büren (1873), which comprised more than 1,700 plants as a foundation and initially served pharmacy training. After an interim location above Rue de Couvaloup, today's garden was created on the Montriond hill to plans by the architect Alphonse Laverrière and opened on 1 June 1946. It lies about ten minutes' walk from the railway station, covers 1.7 hectares and, with rock gardens, ponds, waterfalls and paths, shows alpine plants, Mediterranean flora, medicinal plants, succulents and carnivorous plants.

In 2019 the tropical and temperate house opened, in which more than 800 tropical and subtropical species grow, including over 400 orchid species. The Conservatoire in the centre of the garden houses the reception, boutique, exhibition room and herbaria. Since January 2023 the cantonal museums of botany, geology and zoology have together formed the Muséum cantonal des sciences naturelles, known as Naturéum; the garden is one of its three sites, alongside the Palais de Rumine and the alpine garden La Thomasia.

Highlights

• Just over 4,000 plant species on 1.7 hectares in the city centre
• Tropical and temperate house with over 800 species and more than 400 orchids
• Garden by Alphonse Laverrière, opened in 1946
• Conservatoire with boutique, exhibition room and herbaria
• Free admission

Permanent exhibition

• Jardin botanique de Lausanne – An "open-air museum" with alpine, Mediterranean, medicinal, succulent and carnivorous plants as well as a tropical and temperate house.

Operated by

Kanton Waadt (Naturéum, Muséum cantonal des sciences naturelles)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the Naturéum, the garden is not independently accessible for people with reduced mobility.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The Naturéum offers family activities such as readings, storytelling sessions, workshops and themed tours, a family trail, a family area in the Botanical Garden as well as children's birthday parties at the museum.

Getting there & parking

The garden is located at Montriond, Place de Milan, about ten minutes' walk from Lausanne railway station.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Boutique in the Conservatoire.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit