AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium — Attraction in Lausanne

It was quite a pleasant experience to finally visit the AQUATIS. Imagine it similar to SeaLife but with freshwater fish from around the world plus also a few amphibians and reptiles (including the most poisonous snake in the world) and in the amazone part of the AQUATIS you can even see a couple of sweet white-faced saki and mungos.

First of all: Even for people visiting Lausanne the first time, the AQUATIS is easy to find. I went there via the Metro and you are pretty much in front of the door once you arrived at the station "Vennes". You can take the Metro right at the main station of Lausanne (Lausanne Gare).

The big building contains the actual "Fish zoo" plus a shop, a restaurant and a hotel. There is also a floor for parking.

The actual tanks with the sea life were interesting to watch. My personal favourites were the pangasius fishes and the part including the four-eyes fish and blowfish. But about every corner is worth a watch and I saw families enjoying the aquariums very much. Another highlight was the tunnel that is basically a big aquarium surrounding you. However, I hope that the animals feel alright there. Some tanks seemed okay, others pretty small. And some settings I didn't get, like the room with the most poisonous snake that looks like some kind of abandonded class room in a wild west city (with no plants or rocks). And even though I enjoyed seeing the mammals, I did not quite get why they were there in this indoor zoo that is actually about animals living in water environments.

Still, it was very interesting and entertaining, also with much to learn and in case you don't understand French: do not worry, every information is also available in English and German.

However, for Europe's biggest Aquarium my friend and me felt like we reached the end pretty quickly. And we weren't rushing at all, we went everywhere and thought we would take longer to go through every area. Probably we were still finished quicker because we were skipping all the informative films beamed on walls (which were hard to understand anyway because the surroundings including noisy weren't ideal for that, instead a few headphones maybe would have been nice).

And suddenly, we were standing in the AQUATIS shop, where you can provide yourself with plush animals (especially piranhas), shirts, informative books for kids and adults (mostly in French), bags, USB sticks, postcards, souvenir coins and bills and also things like baby toys, mugs and snacks (candy and soft drinks). I only bought a postcard and also my friend who is an enthusiast of fish, amphibians and reptiles wasn't too keen on the choice of products. Like there was only one design for the mug and for the adult shirth, both were very basic. And it felt weird to see tons of plush piranhas and even plush animals that were not in the AQUATIS at all (Parrots, flamingos, chameleon...) but when it comes to fish, amphibians and reptiles, the range there felt also quite limited. But I guess kids who would love to have a plush stingray, piranha or python as a souvenir will still be pleased.

There is also a restaurant near the entry of the AQUATIS but I just went in there and almost immediately turned around to look for another eatery since "Le Piranha" was pretty much a family restaurant filled with families and fast food (and thus quite noisy and not too appetizing). Sure, for hungry families it is still okay and I cannot say if the food is good or not. But let's just say that I preferred to leave a...

The Aquatis aquarium located in Lausanne, Switzerland is Europe’s largest freshwater aquarium and is opened 7 days a week from 10 am to 6 pm. It is a fairly new aquarium inaugurated in September 2010. Entry tickets at the ticket counter are priced at 29 CHF for adults and 19 CHF for children aged 6 – 15 years. Entry is free for children below 6 years of age. You can get some discount on the pricing (up to 30%) if you book in advance through their website. It is conveniently located above the Vennes metro station exit. There is a souvenir shop (exit after the aquarium visit is via this shop), restaurants and adequate parking at the level just below the aquarium. I visited the aquarium with my young daughter in February 2019 from Bengaluru, India and travelled by Lausanne metro. We were amazed by the place. It is a very clean and well-maintained aquarium with many healthy looking and active fish specimens, swimming in clear and clean water. It also houses some reptiles and amphibians. There is adequate picture, audio and text description of all the specimens. The visit should take 3.5-4 hours if you are a person of interest and detail. We got to see for the very first time in our lives, some piranhas and that was the highlight of our visit. Wish we had seen them during their feeding frenzy! We were so happy and impressed with the aquarium that we will visit again, someday soon. When you visit Lausanne, please make sure to visit the palace; it is...

AQUATIS Aquarium-Vivarium in Lausanne is a mesmerizing underwater adventure that will leave you in awe. This place is a haven for aquatic enthusiasts and families alike.

From the moment you enter, you're greeted by a world of aquatic wonders. The exhibits are beautifully designed and take you on a journey through different aquatic ecosystems, from the Amazon Rainforest to the depths of Lake Geneva. The attention to detail in replicating these environments is remarkable.

The variety of aquatic life on display is staggering. You'll encounter exotic fish, mesmerizing jellyfish, graceful sea turtles, and even playful otters. It's not just about viewing these creatures; it's also an opportunity to learn about their habitats, behaviors, and the importance of conservation.

What sets AQUATIS apart is its commitment to education. The interactive displays and informative signage make it an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate about marine life, ready to answer any questions you might have.

The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the massive main tank, where you can watch schools of fish, graceful sharks, and majestic rays glide overhead. It's a mesmerizing sight that's perfect for photo enthusiasts.

It's a world-class attraction that combines entertainment and education seamlessly. Prepare to be enchanted by the wonders of...