Pays de Gex

30 minutes from Gex: 10 family outings worth the drive

10 May 2026

Gex is one of the most versatile bases in the Greater Geneva area for families. Within less than 30 minutes’ drive, you have water, mountain, culture, big games and the city. Here are 10 concrete ideas we recommend to our travelling families — tested and approved from Gex.

On the water: swim, paddle, slide

1. DV Beach and Lake Divonne — 15 minutes

In Divonne-les-Bains, the lake is set up as a real family leisure base. The DV Beach complex combines a sandy beach with supervised swimming, an inflatable Wibit aquatic park (giant slide, climbing wall on water, blob), table tennis, mini-golf and a kids’ mini-kart. Pedalos, kayaks, canoes, paddles and windsurf rentals. Restaurant and bar on site.

The Wibit is best from age 6-7. For younger children, the lawn, beach and supervised area are more than enough. Alpine view as a bonus.

2. Bains des Pâquis in Geneva — 25 minutes

A Geneva institution, and a family classic as soon as the weather warms up. Urban beach on the lake, slides, zip-line, diving boards, floating climbing wall (psychobloc), paddling pool, sandpits. Swimming lessons, intro dives, paddle rentals.

Very affordable access (free for the youngest), simple snack bar and an authentic atmosphere. In summer, the Aubes Musicales programme of dawn concerts is one for the early risers.

In the mountains: a bit of altitude

3. Salève cable car — 25 minutes

The “balcony of Geneva“: from Étrembières (south of the lake), the cable car takes you to the summit in a few minutes. At the top, 360° views over Lake Geneva, Mont Blanc, the Jura and the Geneva basin.

A family favourite: the Observatory Trail is a flat loop suitable for young children and all-terrain prams. A small museum at the top explains the geology and history of the cable car. Nature guides during school holidays. Restaurant at the summit, or picnic on the ridges.

4. Rail-luge at Col de la Faucille — 25 minutes

In Mijoux, Monts Jura resort, the rail-luge is one of the longest in Europe. Impressive descent, tight turns, real thrills: accompanied access from age 5, solo from age 11, minimum height 1.10 m. Open in summer and winter.

Right next to it, a giant zip-line (one of the most impressive in France) connects Col de la Faucille down to Mijoux village, for teens and adults. And since 2025, a free-fall experience for the boldest.

5. Free luge area in Crozet — 15 minutes

More modest but free and accessible, the Crozet luge area (at the top of the Fierney lift) is open in summer and winter. Gentle slope, ideal for young children discovering luge with no pressure.

Culture and discovery

6. CERN Science Gateway — 20 minutes

Opened in 2023 in Meyrin, the CERN Science Gateway is a free interactive science museum, accessible from age 8. Permanent exhibitions (“Discover the Universe”, “Our Universe”, “Discover CERN”) put particle physics on stage with immersive installations, science shows and hands-on workshops.

The former Microcosm exhibition is permanently closed since September 2022; the Science Gateway has fully replaced it and is much more engaging. Online booking recommended for weekends and holidays. Reachable by tram from Geneva (line 18) or by car with free parking.

7. Voltaire’s Château in Ferney-Voltaire — 5 minutes

Staying with us in Ferney? Voltaire’s Château is 5 minutes’ walk away. For families, the monument offers an activity booklet for children aged 6 to 12 (“Plume’s adventures”) at the reception desk, and themed workshops during school holidays.

The park around Voltaire’s house is ideal for a picnic, a run, a contemplation of the Mont Blanc view. Free for under-18s, open year-round.

Big games and outdoors

8. UCPA Vitam in Neydens — 20 minutes

In Neydens, just past the border, Vitam is one of the most complete family complexes in Greater Geneva. On offer:

  • Indoor aquatic park: Olympic-size pool, heated thermal pool with current river, playful paddling pool, multiple slides.
  • Climbing area: large dedicated space with high walls (autonomous climbing not allowed under 16 without an adult).
  • Vitam’Ludic: indoor play area for ages 1–12 (maze, slides, monkey bridges) and acrobatic course accessible from height 1.20 m.
  • Sports: gym, squash and badminton courts.
  • Spa and wellness: for the parents.
  • Restaurants, hotel, shopping arcade.

Family-friendly pricing. Free parking. Pram and wheelchair accessible.

9. Forestland in Divonne-les-Bains — 15 minutes

Next to Lake Divonne, Forestland is an outdoor leisure park designed for the whole family: tree-top adventure courses for all ages, a splash pad to cool off in summer, woodland trails and forest adventure paths. Ideal for a half-day in the open air, a birthday party or a family nature outing.

Urban Geneva

10. The old town and the Jet d’Eau — 20–25 minutes

A half-day in Geneva city centre, by bus or by car (Plainpalais or Mont-Blanc car park), covers with kids:

  • The Jet d’Eau (accessible pier) — free, photogenic.
  • Parc des Bastions and its giant chess set for the kids to play on.
  • The History of Science Museum in Villa Bartholoni (Parc de la Perle du Lac) — free, with antique instruments to handle.
  • The Natural History Museum (also free, one of the richest in Switzerland — skeletons, dinosaurs, taxidermied animals).
  • The flower clock in the English Garden.
  • Saint-Pierre Cathedral and the climb to the bell tower for older children.

The big advantage of Geneva for families: many museums are free, public transport is efficient, and the old town is pedestrian.

Practical tips for the region

Parking in Geneva. Use the P+R car parks at the city’s edge (Bachet-de-Pesay, Étoile, Sécheron) — public transport included. More economical and quicker than the central car parks.

Border. No real customs check in practice for tourist cars between the Pays de Gex and Geneva, but don’t forget your ID. And if you shop on the Swiss side, mind the VAT threshold when crossing back.

Monts Jura and Salève passes. Check the seasonal family passes or multi-activity passes — savings can be meaningful over a week.

Mountain weather. Salève and Monts Jura can be markedly cooler than Gex down below. Fleece and windbreaker, even in summer.

Plan your family stay in the Pays de Gex

Our properties in the Pays de Gex are designed for family stays. Children’s beds, high chairs, baby gear on request, parking included. And on arrival we’ll share the up-to-date list of seasonal activities — including the ones no guidebook mentions.

👉 See our properties · Ask for a personalised recommendation

Article written in May 2026. Travel times are indicative (car, normal traffic, from Gex centre). Always check seasonal openings before travelling.

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. The information it contains is provided for guidance only and should be verified or cross-checked with official websites before any decision (town halls, Pays de Gex Tourist Office, organisations mentioned). To report any inaccuracy, please email us at contact@hebergeneve.com.