Servion offers a variety of discoveries: Zoo de Servion is home to northern animal species and big cats, while Tropiquarium showcases tropical plant life and endangered species. The town is also home to the long history of Café-théâtre Barnabé, protected cultural heritage and trails through a wooded landscape. When planning your trip, you can focus on three specific interests: wildlife watching, culture or outdoor activities.
Zoo and Tropiquarium: different animal worlds
Zoo de Servion focuses on northern animal species, big cats, small primates and lemurs. The animals on display include Siberian tigers, lions, bears and bison. The collection comprises around 200 animals from 60 species; animal populations and figures may change over time. Tropiquarium has a different focus: rare birds roam freely among visitors in its tropical greenhouse. The dome houses terrariums with endangered species such as Komodo dragons, Siamese crocodiles and giant tortoises from the Galápagos Islands. More than 70 species can be discovered there amid a diverse range of exotic plants; these species populations may also change. Tropiquarium also raises awareness of biodiversity and introduces visitors to lesser-known, sometimes endangered, animal species.
The name Tropiquarium has a history: Parc ornithologique de Servion opened in 1979 and was renamed in 2003. The two facilities offer different highlights for anyone interested in observing animals: the zoo ranges from northern animal species to big cats and lemurs, while Tropiquarium focuses on tropical habitats and endangered species.
Breaks and visitor information at the zoo
Zoo de Servion offers practical information to help you plan your visit. The free, shaded car park has 500 spaces. There are numerous picnic areas along the visitor trail, which is also equipped with benches and shaded areas. The zoo restaurant has a shaded terrace overlooking the tiger enclosure. At Tropiquarium, shaded terraces also offer views of the caiman pool; visitor facilities may change.
Forest, trails and cycle route
The zoo lies on the edge of the Jorat forests, among wooded areas, meadows and ponds, and at the intersection of hiking trails. Another way to add some activity to your stay is the Le Jorat–Trois Lacs–Emme cycle route. It passes through Servion and the wooded areas of Bois du Grand Jorat. The full route is listed as 56 km; this distance refers to the entire route, not just the section through Servion. Conditions on the route may vary by season, so it is worth checking the latest route information before setting off.
Theatre history and local heritage
The history of Théâtre Barnabé began in 1965 with a cultural event in a barn next to the Café-Restaurant La Croix-Blanche. The Café-théâtre Barnabé programme includes musical comedies, plays and concerts. The programme changed in 2018, when the traditional revue was replaced by a musical comedy. Alongside wildlife and nature, Servion therefore also offers a cultural highlight rooted in a long theatre history.
Servion's architectural heritage includes the Reformed Church, formerly known as Chapelle Saint-Maurice, which is protected as a cultural heritage monument. Molasse also connects local history with the architectural history of Lausanne: stone from Servion was used for numerous buildings in Lausanne. There were old molasse quarries in the Servion-Mézières region; heavy carts drawn by donkeys transported the stone towards Lausanne.
Bus connections for planning your visit
In Servion, CarPostal route 10.365 serves three stops: Grange Rouge, Zoo-Tropiquarium and Clos de l'Auberge. Bus routes and stops may change, so check the current timetable before travelling.
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