Discover the BirdLife Nature Centre at La Sauge

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. 

Special exhibition – “What birds can do all better”

In the new exhibition the theme "What birds can do all better" is shown. You will learn a lot of amazing and exciting things about the incredible achievements of birds. What camouflage methods do they use? Why do some species lay only two eggs while others lay 15? How come we almost never see nests in nature? You can learn about the extraordinary abilities of birds in a fun and interactive way.

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

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.

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

Prices incl. VAT / Prices subject to alteration

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.

By boat

Travel in comfort by train to Neuchâtel, Murten or Biel/Bienne. From any of these starting points, you can take the boat to the “La Sauge” landing stage.