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Ateliers Lémaniques

Discover our workshop formulas for all audiences

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Discover the mysteries of Lake Geneva!

We offer a range of immersive and educational workshops designed for all audiences wishing to discover Lake Geneva and its unique ecosystems.

Whether you're an environmental enthusiast, a nature lover or simply curious, our workshops give you the opportunity to dive (sometimes literally) into the fascinating world of this great alpine lake.

 

Workshop Brochure

The various workshops on offer:

Lake Geneva, a large lake under pressure

Discover the history, current state, and future of the largest Alpine lake.

  • Description: This presentation invites you to explore the unique features of the Lake Geneva ecosystem through four sections. The first section presents the geographical characteristics of Lake Geneva by situating it within its watershed—the Rhône River basin—and by recounting the tectonic and glacial history of its formation. The second section addresses vertical and horizontal energy flows across the lake and the forces that drive them. The third section deals with the circulation of matter within Lake Geneva and its watershed. In this section, the concept of the food chain is explained using the example of the eutrophication phenomenon that affected Lake Geneva during the second half of the 20th century. Finally, the fourth part lists the various pressures currently affecting the Lake Geneva ecosystem and explores avenues for a more sustainable future.
  • Format: PowerPoint presentation + in-class discussion.
  • Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours.
  • Public: From 15 years old.

Discover the lake!

An interactive exhibit on the waterfront where you can learn all about the Lake Geneva ecosystem.

  • Description: This presentation invites participants to explore Lake Geneva—its history, how it works, and the threats it faces—from its shores. This interactive format allows participants to share their knowledge of the lake and their thoughts on its preservation. This outdoor activity offers the opportunity to explore the lake from home, school, work, or a vacation spot. Participants can thus gain an understanding of the Lake Geneva environment through the ecosystems of the site they are visiting and the living organisms they encounter. The workshop begins with a landscape analysis to introduce the concept of a watershed and the lake’s tectonic and glacial origins. A presentation on prevailing winds and the resulting currents is then illustrated using laminated panels. The phenomenon of eutrophication that affected Lake Geneva during the second half of the 20th century and the formation of CIPEL are then discussed, followed by a conversation about the current threats facing the lake and potential courses of action for a more sustainable future. Finally, a philosophical reflection on our place within this lake ecosystem—and, more broadly, within the water cycle—leads us to question our interdependencies and the concept of the “body-territory.”
  • Format: Presentation using laminated panels by the lake + exploration of the local environment (interpreting the landscape, learning about different habitats and human impacts).
  • Duration: 45 minutes to 2 hours.
  • Audience: Ages 6 and up.

Meet the living people of Lake Geneva!

Explore Lake Geneva, its ecosystems, and its inhabitants firsthand.

  • Description: In addition to the educational content offered in the “Discovering the Lake!” workshop, this workshop invites participants to get in the water—equipped with a mask and snorkel—to explore the inhabitants of Lake Geneva’s various ecosystems: pebbly shores, aquatic plant beds, and lakeside reed beds. Depending on the season, participants can observe several species of fish, crayfish, and birds native to the lake in their natural habitats, as well as various types of aquatic vegetation. We can discuss various shoreline developments and their impacts, and observe the widespread presence of the quagga mussel. Above all, this experience allows you to physically experience Lake Geneva—its waters, temperature, and waves—and to reflect on our deeper connection to the lake. What an adventure!
  • Format: Presentation on laminated panels along the shores of Lake Geneva + snorkeling outing.
  • Duration: 2 to 3 hours.
  • Public: From 15 years old.

Discover the river!

A trip along the river to where it flows into Lake Geneva.

  • Description: This excursion invites participants to explore the river near their home, workplace, or school. Where does the water come from? Where does it go? The basics of hydrology are covered using maps and participants’ prior knowledge (source, mouth, confluence, tributaries, flow rate). We take the time to situate ourselves within the larger water cycle by introducing the concept of a watershed and discussing the major European watersheds. Since the health of waterways serves as the central theme of this excursion, several opportunities for observation and assessment of the river will punctuate our journey downstream: water uses, infrastructure, sources of pollution, and the river’s degree of freedom… We’ll experiment with various assessment methods: sensory observations, physicochemical measurements, and bioindication (identification of macroinvertebrates). We will also explore the typical flora and fauna found along the riverbanks through a tracking activity. Finally, we will examine how the presence of riparian forest—the vegetation along riverbanks—is essential to the health of these sensitive ecosystems.
  • Format: A trip along the river to where it flows into Lake Geneva.
  • Duration: 2 to 3 hours.
  • Audience: Ages 6 and up.

Lake Geneva Quiz

Test your knowledge of the largest lake in the Alps!

  • Description: This game offers a fun way to discover Lake Geneva, its history, and its ecosystems. Come test your knowledge of Lake Geneva—either as a team or on your own—through various categories: history, geography, biology, culture, winds and currents, threats, navigation…
  • Format: A question-and-answer game played solo or in teams, set on Lake Geneva, either outdoors or indoors
  • Duration: 20 to 60 minutes.
  • Public: From age 10.

"The Shifting Lake Geneva"

Learn while on the move on Lake Geneva!

  • Description: The “moving debate” is a technique used in educational facilitation and community education in which participants physically position themselves in the space (in agreement, in disagreement, or in the “river of doubt”) in response to divisive statements. It encourages speaking up, presenting arguments, and active listening, and allows participants to change their position if others’ arguments are convincing. Controversies and contentious topics regarding Lake Geneva will thus be debated in groups. Get your arguments ready!
  • Format: A dynamic discussion on topics related to Lake Geneva and the surrounding region.
  • Duration: 20 to 60 minutes.
  • Public: From age 10.

The Gigue of the Gyres

Experience the different currents of Lake Geneva through music and movement!

  • Description: In a society where our thoughts are mostly disconnected from our bodies and our sensory experiences, *La Gigue des Gyres* invites you to discover, through music and movement, the currents of Lake Geneva as they shift with the prevailing winds. This Lake Geneva-inspired dance offers a transformative experience: become a drop of water in the lake and, together with your neighbors, follow the lake’s currents. These currents are dictated by the combined effects of the sun, the wind, and the Earth’s rotational force—the Coriolis force. This workshop is a dance-based lesson in limnology (the science of lakes) conceived by Gabriel Cotte, a Ph.D. in limnology and science communicator, and Anna Desreaux, an actress and musician.In the extended version, participants begin by drawing the outline of the lake on the floor themselves (with chalk or sticks) and marking the major cities around Lake Geneva as well as its main tributaries. This step allows participants to share their geographical knowledge of the Lake Geneva region and to ground themselves in this lakeside territory. The shorter version begins directly on a map of Lake Geneva drawn in advance by the facilitator.
  • Format: "Courants du Léman" dance workshop, held outdoors or indoors.
  • Duration: 20 to 40 minutes.
  • Audience: Ages 12 and up.

Pollution Alert" role-playing game

Learn about the challenges of water management through play!

  • Description: A fun and collaborative workshop where you’ll tackle a pollution problem in a watershed. Take on key roles in water management: the mayors of the affected towns, the owner of the factory responsible for the pollution, representatives of the environmental protection organization, the media, and more. Discover the potentially conflicting issues involved in water management—political, economic, ecological, and media-related. Working as a team, find the best solution to protect this precious environment.
  • Format: Indoor role-playing game.
  • Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • Audience: Ages 12 and up.

Where and for whom?

Les Ateliers Lémaniques is aimed at a varied public, whether you're a school, association or other public institution. Our activities are modular and can be combined to meet your specific needs.

Workshops take place close to your location in the Lake Geneva region, whether in Switzerland or France.

Our commitments

Quality teaching: Each workshop is led by Gabriel Cottea scientific and territorial mediator with a doctorate in hydrology and limnology, specializing in aquatic ecosystems, who will share his passion for this richly endowed lake with you.

Accessibility: We ensure that our workshops are accessible to as many people as possible, with formats adapted to different ages and levels of expertise.

Contact & Booking

For further information or to organize a workshop, please contact our workshop leader:

CIPEL can help finance all or part of the workshops, on request. Contact our secretariat :

  • by phone: +41 58 460 46 69
  • or by e-mail to: cipel[at]cipel.org
Workshop flyer

The workshops in pictures

Borrow our travelling exhibition!

Request a free copy of our exhibition on the natural environment of Lake Geneva

CIPEL has put together a beautifully illustrated exhibition to raise public awareness of the need to preserve the natural environments along Lake Geneva. Visitors are invited to discover the flora and fauna of 5 distinctive environments.

This exhibition, comprising 6 rollups, is available free of charge to enhance regional events. Simply contact the CIPEL secretariat and pick up the material on site.

A postcard-sized leaflet with the 6 illustrations from this exhibition is also available free of charge and can be ordered from the secretariat.

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