Things to see and do Romandy

Dating from 1923, this villa was intended for Le Corbusier's parents. It was designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret according to a highly innovative concept for the time: human scale, free plan, respect for proportions, garden roof overlooking the lake. This archetype of the minimalist house (64^m2) is an exceptional contribution to the Modern Movement. As such, it was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2016, along with sixteen other Le Corbusier buildings. Offering maximum comfort and space, the Villa "Le Lac" crystallizes a certain idea of modernity around the fundamental questions of minimal housing and housing for the greatest number, which were to have a considerable influence in the ^20th century. The 11 m-long window - a real technical innovation in 1923 - opens onto a wide panorama of the lake and the Alps, letting in the southern light.

The interior has remained untouched, identical to the one the architect's parents discovered the day they moved in. The furniture designed by Le Corbusier during his youth can still be seen. In accordance with the architect's wishes, the Villa "Le Lac" is now a museum presenting exhibitions by internationally renowned artists and architects such as René Burri, Erling Mandelmann, Adrien Couvrat, Florence Cosnefroy, Daniel Libeskind, Mario Botta, Bernard Tschumi and Brauen Wälchli Architectes.

Villa "Le Lac" was also a musicians' house: Le Corbusier's mother was a pianist and his brother a violinist. Today, Villa "Le Lac" also offers artists' residencies, as well as concerts of classical and experimental music, as Le Corbusier's brother practiced them in the spirit of 1950s musique concrète or inspired by the rhythmic music of Émile Jaques-Dalcroze. Restored in 2023 to mark its centenary, the interior of Villa "Le Lac" is once again decorated in its original colors - those Le Corbusier's parents discovered a hundred years ago on the day they moved in. Ultramarine blue, light cerulean, Sienna earth and vermilion red have been restored in their exact shades and original materials: lime paint, glue paint and oil emulsion.

Entering Villa "Le Lac" is like taking a trip back in time to discover an intact avant-garde of the Modern Movement.

Saint-Maurice Abbey owes its origins to the sanctuary built over the tomb of Saint Maurice and his fellow martyrs, Theban soldiers who died around 300 A.D. Founded in 515, it is the oldest active Christian monastery in Europe.

The community of Canons Regular is the guardian of the sacred relics, whose worship is part of the Swiss Heritage of Living Traditions. A major religious and spiritual center, it is also one of the stops on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route to Rome, which has been traversed since the Middle Ages by nobility, pilgrims and merchants, as witnessed by the many items in its treasury.

You'll discover a religious, architectural, historical, cultural and archaeological heritage along the audioguided tour route, where re-enactment films and computer-generated images guide you step by step through more than 1500 years of history.

Basilica, stained-glass windows, monumental organ and carillon will help you discover a majestic setting in which celebrations and concerts are organized throughout the year. A fascinating and instructive outing, which can also be combined with discovery and tasting workshops on the wines and beers produced by the Abbey (advance booking required).

What is art brut? It is about creations of "marginal" artists who conceive without concern of the glance of the other, that of the general public, of the critics of art. They make room for spontaneity, far from the norms and values. They create their own world. This term was defined by Jean Dubuffet, a French painter who in 1945 collected drawings, sculptures and letters made by self-taught people, marginal people, prisoners, psychiatric hospital inmates, "free of any artistic culture". They gave form to original works.

Formerly known as O Quai des Arts, the Ferrari Art Gallery is a luminous place, with high windows opening onto the lake. With soft music playing in the background, you'll discover resolutely contemporary works of art, beautifully staged. On the program: paintings, sculptures, photos... Numerous artists are featured (you can find the full program online). It is also possible to purchase works. The gallery can also be rented out to organize a special event in this beautiful setting, which can accommodate up to 200 people.