The Pointe à la Bise Nature reserve
The Pointe à la Bise nature reserve
The Pointe à la Bise nature reserve is home to one of the last major lakeside reedbeds in the canton of Geneva, and represents one of the few natural shores of the Petit Lac.
It is a haven for more than 160 species of bird, some of which nest in the various habitats, others which spend part of the year here, and still others which make only a short stopover on their migration route.
Whether it's the kingfisher that comes to hunt for fish in the lagoon, or the great crested grebe that parades here and then founds its family, they all appreciate the peace and quiet offered by the lake’s reed beds.
In spring, common toads and alpine newts flock to the reserve's various waterholes for their mating rituals. The long summer evenings are punctuated by the songs of the frogs, while during the day, the dance of the dragonflies takes over. Aquatic plants such as yellow iris, cattails, water lilies, and reeds brighten up the area in summer.
Pointe à la Bise Nature Centre
In the heart of the reed bed, the Nature Centre has been welcoming young and old all year round since 1999. It has a shop, a nature library, and a lab area, and offers a wide range of activities every year: nature workshops for children and adults, guided tours for companies and individuals, events, leisure centres, activities for primary school classes, birthday offers, and a nature reception on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There is also a nature trail presenting the ecology of wetlands, a small vegetable garden, and an observation tower for watching shoreline wildlife.
Opening hours: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 10am to 6pm
The Pointe à la Bise Nature Reserve welcomes À nos épaves by duo Anne-Laure Franchette & Manon Briod.
