Préverenges: Beach, Lake and Birdlife

Lake Geneva, Plage de Préverenges and the Île aux Oiseaux nature reserve shape the character of Préverenges. This destination combines a sandy beach with activities on the water and important habitats for birds.

Sandy beach and water sports on Lake Geneva

Plage de Préverenges is a sandy beach on Lake Geneva and the largest beach in the Morges district. Its shoreline measures 500 metres; the water remains shallow for up to 50 metres from the shore. These two measurements describe different things: the length of the shoreline and the extent of the shallow water. The beach also offers views of Mont Blanc.

You can rent stand-up paddleboards, pedal boats, kayaks and canoes at the beach. Rentals may be seasonal or subject to change, so check what is currently available before your visit. Another activity at Plage de Préverenges is city golf. On-site facilities include a snack bar, the Restaurant de la Plage, showers, toilets and a car park.

Birdlife at the mouth of the Venoge

The Île aux Oiseaux nature reserve is located in the municipality of Préverenges. The artificial island was built in 2001 and 2002 in Lake Geneva, near the mouth of the Venoge, to provide migratory birds with a quiet refuge. It is a site of national ornithological importance. Two stilt platforms in front of the island allow terns to build nesting sites there.

The mouth of the Venoge is one of Switzerland’s most important stopover sites for migrating waders. In spring, Préverenges Bay serves as a first point of arrival for birds coming in from Lake Geneva. From the lakeside path, you can observe the Île aux Oiseaux with binoculars or a telescope. This makes both the stopover of migrating waders and the spring arrival of birds in the bay a focus of the area’s birdlife.

Paths to the lakeshore

Several routes are useful for visiting on foot. The Sentier aux Oiseaux lets you walk to Plage de Préverenges from Morges or Lausanne. The accessible Promenade du littoral de Morges follows the lakeshore as far as Préverenges. From the village, you can reach the beach via Avenue de Croix-de-Rive, heading towards Hôtel de la Plage.

Yadlo and local history

Since 2015, Yadlo has turned Préverenges beach into a place for festivals and gatherings. The daytime programme includes a range of water sports, workshops and stalls run by partner associations. In the evening, concerts are followed by a silent party. With its daytime programme and evening events, Yadlo is a distinct attraction alongside the beach activities.

The area’s history can also be explored across different periods: the name Préverenges first appears in an official document dated 18 June 1226. Historically, Préverenges was an island shaped by the waters of Lake Geneva and the surrounding rivers. The Maison de l’île aux oiseaux in Préverenges was inaugurated on 26 and 27 March 2022.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Clarmont, Féchy, Montherod, Saint-Prex, Bière, Allaman, Yens, Lavigny.

For the overview of the wider area: Morges.