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.
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
Opening hours Tomorrow Wednesday open
From 5 March until 22 October 2023
Mon and Tue closed
Wed–Sun 09.00–18.00 hours
Open on Easter Monday and Whit Monday
As of October 23, 2023 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.
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.
- Timetable & tickets Train and bus
- Timetable & tickets Boat