An afternoon of discoveries at Aquatis

The Aquatis journey is an exploration over 3,500 m2, a leisure centre, as well as a centre for environmental education. Indeed, Aquatis isn’t only aquariums and vivaria, but also a discovery of aquatic fauna with an immersive scenography around freshwater and sustainable development. We loved it!

Europe and travelling down the Rhone

We begin the journey with Europe and the discovery of the Rhone: from the Glacier and mountain lakes to the Lake Geneva basin to the river and its confluence in Camargue. We discover species of fish, snakes and amphibians, as well as the evolution of Lake Geneva’s pollution and the various dams built on the river. We feel sure that even people from Lausanne will learn more about the lake and the species that inhabit it.

The large basin of evolution

We continue the visit by going through a tunnel like no other. A transparent space that allows us to observe the large basin of evolution, seen at various times during the visit. This aquarium houses existing fish species such as the alligator gar descended from prehistoric fish.

Africa

On the second floor, we are welcomed by the Matterhorn, the result of the collision of European and African tectonic plates, introducing us to the African section of the visit. Here, we discover in particular desert crocodiles splashing around in the water or enjoying the warm sand, and Lake Malawi fish. We learn more about the motion of tectonic plates and Lake Turkana.

Asia

Our journey continues in Asia with the reproduction of an Asian village and the discovery of rice-growing. We stop for a few minutes to observe the Mount Mangshan viper (that doesn’t look too friendly) before marvelling at silver moonyfish and Selenotoca multifasciata.

Oceania

We follow the parrots on the floor, leading us on a discovery of Oceania and some of Aquatis’s stars: the inland taipan, the most venomous snake on earth, and the Komodo dragon chilling out on a rock. Impressive, isn’t it? ? A short stop to observe the central bearded dragon before carrying on.

Amazonia

The visit concludes in the Amazonian greenhouse. Plants of all sorts, some provided by the City of Lausanne, blue or yellow frogs, a green iguana, skates and fish: by opening the door you will feel that you are immersing yourself in a small area of the Amazonian forest.

And of course, to end the visit in style, don’t miss Aquatis’s star specie: piranhas, also visible from the well-named “Le Piranha” restaurant if you’d like a nibble or a coffee before leaving. ?