FREE INSECT AND GARDEN EXHIBITION – THINGS TO DO IN GENEVA

FREE INSECT AND GARDEN EXHIBITION – FUN FOR ADULTS AND KIDS

JARDIN SAUVAGE, SCHILLIGER

by Alexandra Osváth

Going a bit stir crazy at home? Here’s a fun activity for the family that the children will love. Summertime adventures await at Jardin Sauvage, a free insect and garden exhibition at Schilliger Garden Centre in nearby Gland. In celebration of their 75^th anniversary, the family-run garden centre is pulling out all the stops to delight explorers of all ages this summer from now until 29 August.

Explore the world of insects, dance among butterflies, and try not to become lunch for the carnivorous plants and piranhas.

Children will also love the traditional handmade games, from croquet (made locally in the Jura region) to marbles and toy sailing boats from Normandy.

Don’t miss your chance to win a CHF 200 voucher – take a quiz on the whole exhibit and answer correctly to enter the draw!

This destination garden centre is well-known for its seasonal events, from dinosaur exhibits to their annual Christmas market. Also read our article about the amazing Schilliger business success story.

BUGS GALORE!

Children will learn through discovery and play at the insect exhibit, which explores nine themes through 15 different activities, from insect life cycles to how they feed and communicate, and the relationship between insects and humans.

The truly adventurous won’t want to miss the insect tasting on July 18! Learn all about this alternative source of protein.

Children will love the demonstrations on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

BUTTERFLY WALTZ

Whirl among hundreds of these beautiful creatures in the butterfly greenhouse, which has been transformed into a jungle. Witness the spectacular process of butterflies emerging from their chrysalis in the incubator.

The butterflies all come from Oxfly, British butterfly specialists that breed butterflies at farms in Thailand, Costa Rica and the Philippines. None of the species are endangered or taken from their wild habitats.

EXOTIC CARNIVOROUS PLANTS AND FISH

Mind your fingers and toes in the tropical greenhouse. Check out these exotic species, including Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and even piranhas! The staff will be glad to teach you how to care for carnivorous plants at home.

Have you ever seen a walking fish? While technically an amphibian, the axolotl is a salamander with fern-like features, and it can also regrow body parts. Learn about this fascinating species in the garden centre’s aquarium.

MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER TERRACE

After all this exploring, you’ll have earned a well-deserved lunch on the new Mediterranean-style terrace at Café Agnès. Enjoy fresh, seasonal dishes featuring homegrown harvests in a chic setting.

Give your friends summer envy and share your experience with #lejardinsauvage and #schilliger

To learn more about Schilliger Garden Center, visit their website and read our article on turning your garden into a summer oasis. We love their blog (in French) on all things décor and indoor and outdoor gardening.