Servion: Wildlife, Theater and the Jorat

When choosing a hotel in Servion, it is worth considering what you want your stay to focus on. The zoo and Tropiquarium offer different perspectives on wildlife; the Café-théâtre Barnabé, the Reformed church and the history of molasse quarrying add a cultural dimension. There are also trails in the Jorat area. This makes Servion a destination where wildlife watching, culture and outdoor activities come together.

The Zoo and Tropiquarium: two wildlife attractions

The Zoo de Servion focuses on northern species, big cats, small primates and lemurs. Animals on display include Siberian tigers, lions, bears and bison. The zoo is home to around 200 animals representing 60 species from different parts of the world; its animal population and figures may change. Its history dates back to its founding in 1974 as the Parc animalier joratois.

The zoo is on the edge of the Jorat forests. Its surroundings include wooded areas, meadows, ponds and forests. Along the visitor route, there are benches, shaded areas and numerous picnic spots. The zoo also has a free, shaded car park with 500 spaces and a restaurant with a shaded terrace overlooking the tiger enclosure.

The Tropiquarium de Servion focuses on tropical plants and wildlife. In the tropical greenhouse, you can observe rare birds that move freely among visitors. 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. The Tropiquarium raises awareness of biodiversity and introduces little-known animal species, some of them endangered; populations and figures may change. The Parc ornithologique de Servion opened in 1979 and was renamed Tropiquarium de Servion in 2003. To choose between the two, the zoo offers northern wildlife, while the tropical greenhouse features birds and terrariums.

Theater history and architecture

The Café-théâtre Barnabé presents musical comedies, plays and concerts. Its history as a theater began in 1965 with a cultural event in a barn next to the Café-Restaurant La Croix-Blanche. In 2018, the traditional revue was replaced by a musical comedy. The Reformed church in Servion, formerly known as the Chapelle Saint-Maurice, is a protected cultural heritage monument.

The history of construction extends beyond the village: molasse from Servion was used in numerous buildings in Lausanne. There were old molasse quarries in the Servion-Mézières region; heavy carts pulled by donkeys transported the stone toward Lausanne. The history of the material thus links quarrying in the region with its use in the city.

Landscape, trails and getting around

The Vallon En Peyvraz offers a view of the chapel in Servion; visibility may vary. Servion also has viewpoints overlooking the Alps. Check access to your chosen viewpoint locally. The zoo is at a junction of hiking trails. The Le Jorat–Trois Lacs–Emme cycle route passes through Servion and wooded areas of the Bois du Grand Jorat; its stated length is 56 km. Seasonal trail conditions may vary. This gives you two different ways to get outdoors: a hiking-trail junction near the zoo and a longer cycle route.

PostBus route 10.365 serves three stops in Servion: Grange Rouge, Zoo-Tropiquarium and Clos de l'Auberge. Check the current timetable before travelling, as bus routes and stops may change.

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