Things to see and do Romandy

Renovated in 2012, this museum presents a rich collection of antique clocks, from the 16th to the 19th century, and retraces the beginnings of watchmaking in the region. There is also a collection of Comtois clocks, restored by the students of the valley's technical school, future clockmakers, as well as watches created by valley companies in the 21st century. The renovation has modernised the space, which is now interactive and presents a watchmaking style that looks to the future.

A monument of national interest, placed under the protection of the Confederation and the section of historical monuments of the canton of Vaud. In this large castle dating from the 10th century, there are several museums: the Historical Museum, which relates in particular the battle of Grandson (1476) and the Regional Museum. The castle is currently being renovated and will house a new museum and exhibition space in 2026. Every day, an individual visit is offered to discover the gardens, the towers and the covered way.

La Maison des Terroirs is a must in Grandson. This delicatessen offers a selection of local products and AOC Bonvillars wines. Here you can taste the region's wines and indulge in local produce. The Maison des Terroirs is also a place for producers and the public to meet and exchange ideas. You can organize aperitifs, tastings or even family breakfasts.

This structure brings together the tourist offices of the Yverdon-les-Bains Jura-Lac region. In addition to Yverdon, these include Vallorbe, Grandson, Orbe, Yvonand, Romainmôtier and Sainte-Croix/Les Rasses. A charming tourist region, with its spa, lake and magnificent natural surroundings. The regional tourist office organizes guided tours of the region. Take, for example, the historical tour of the town of Yverdon-les-Bains in song.

Avenches, Switzerland, is a town brimming with historical heritage and interesting tourist attractions. Avenches offers many opportunities for guided tours and workshops to discover its heritage. You can also take advantage of the natural surroundings, including the Port Plage campsite. The town also offers various events throughout the year, such as the Avenches Tattoo and the summer market at the campsite. Don't miss a visit to the Roman Museum of Avenches and the Roman site of Aventicum, which bear witness to the town's history.

Summer or winter, there's something for everyone. In summer, you can enjoy magnificent mountain hikes, bike rides or hot-air balloon flights to admire the landscapes from 360 degrees. You can also visit the Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut to discover the region's folk art. In winter, the Videmanette ski area awaits you with its ski slopes and open-air skating rink. And don't miss the L'Etivaz cheese cellars, where you can discover the secrets of cheese-making. The villages of Rossinière, Château-d'oex and Rougemont are also well worth a visit, with their architectural heritage and picturesque landscapes.

The forest of Finges, pine forest and alluvial zone of 1 000 ha is recognised at European level for the richness of its fauna and flora.

This 16th-century manor house houses a museum of the Old Valais and of vine and wine, with interesting collections of traditional and ancient objects such as winegrowers' tools. Other rooms display paintings. But more earthly pleasures are also on offer thanks to the restaurant which serves opulent raclettes accompanied by the famous Valais wines which, after a visit to the museum, will no longer hold any secrets for you.

The magnificent 18th-century Courten house houses the Rainer Maria Rilke Foundation and Museum. Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was an Austrian writer who lived the last four years of his life in Sierre, where he died of leukaemia after coming here to treat it. A permanent exhibition traces the writer's years in the Valais: 1921-1926. It shows his written works (Elegies of Duino, Sonnets to Orpheus, poems, letters...) and the friends he made during these years.

The doors of St. Catherine's Church are just waiting to be pushed open to discover the beautiful baroque architectural ensemble. It is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city. This 17th century building was restored and modified in the 20th century, first in 1920-1921 and then in 1994. It was badly damaged by the earthquake of 1946. Inside, the stained glass windows are particularly well arranged, the small ones at the bottom and the large ones at the top. The high organ is magnificently displayed in its woodwork setting.

Located on the banks of the Tsittoret bisse, it can be reached by the Aminona cable car. The museum evokes life on the mountain pastures, with traditions such as the inalpe and desalpe, and local products (milk, butter, cheese). It is housed in three mayens (small traditional Valais houses) in the Crans-Montana region, which have been dismantled and rebuilt according to traditional architectural rules. Next door: a visitor center with restaurant and terrace.

The Val d'Herens brings together the municipalities of Des, Evolène, Hérémence, Mont-Noble, Saint Martin and Vex.

If you want to know everything about the specific wines of the Valais, here is a huge cellar where you can discover all the aspects of wine making. From the reception of the grape harvest to the bottling process and to finish the visit in the oenotheque where you will taste a selection of wines according to the chosen formula. Here you will be shown everything up to the wine ageing cellar where the oak barrels rest. Tradition, technology and respect for the environment are the key words of this establishment. Various Swiss AOC grape varieties are represented, more than 500 wines to taste or buy.

Evolène Region brings together villages: Arolla, Evolène, La Forclaz, La Sage, Les Haudères and Villaz.

Venturing into the mountains for skiing or mountaineering requires a thorough knowledge of the environment and safety training. Experienced guides will accompany you and show you around the Val d'Hérens. They'll share their knowledge of the flora and fauna with you, and guide you in complete safety. Summer and winter alike, our mountain guides are here to share their knowledge of the region with you.

An escape to the farm from the Rhone Valley is a must! If you are passing through the Val d'Hérens, this is a good address to discover the backstage of the famous Hérens cow (the one that fights the queens before going up to the mountain pasture!), the internationally known Evolène carnival and everything related to the culture of the region. A visit that will delight young and old alike. The farm offers a rural stay with very well appointed rooms at low prices, especially the collective dormitories. Don't miss the opportunity to book a country brunch with local products.

Important scientific collections which are a reference for the identification of species present in Valais and the Alps: about 3 500 rocks and minerals, 650 fossils, 20 000 plants in Valais and 3 500 animals.

The Théâtre de Beausobre offers an extensive programme of concerts and shows of all kinds: theatre, humor, magic, musical theatre, song, world music, opera, gospel… In May-June, the theatre hosts an international comedy festival, Morges-sous-Rire, very popular.

Founded in the ^11th century by monks attached to the Abbey of Cluny (Burgundy), this beautiful Romanesque church was completed in the ^12th century. In the ^15th century, a vast nave collapsed due to lack of maintenance, and was never rebuilt. Despite the absence of the nave, this church is one of Switzerland's most beautiful Romanesque buildings, and is listed as a historic monument. The frescoes date from the ^14th century and were only discovered in 1897, as they had long been covered by a grey whitewash applied by the Protestant Bernese.

A walk in the heart of nature! Unique in Switzerland, the Arboretum is a vast park featuring 4,000 species and varieties of trees and shrubs from every continent that can be acclimatized in this beautiful region. In the heart of the park, the Musée du Bois houses a collection of woodworking tools. Tools for carpenters, winnowers, luthiers and clog makers are among the 1,500 exhibits in the 6,000-strong collection.

The church is believed to have been built in the ^15th century on the ruins of a monasteriolum, a small church possibly dating back to the ^11th century. It features a square tower topped by an eight-sided curved spire measuring 7.5 m on each side. After the arrival of the Bernese in 1536, the church became a Protestant temple, which it still is today. Old Montreusiens call Saint-Vincent le temple des Planches. The modern stained-glass windows are the work of Vaud artist Jean Prahin. From the terrace, there's a fine view of the greater Montreus area.

Superb Belle Époque building, emblematic of the Vaud Riviera, built in only two years, 1905 and 1906, by the architect Eugène Jost. Because of the new enthusiasm for sport at that time, a "Sports Pavilion" was added to the building, which has now become a restaurant. Among the many personalities who stayed there were Richard Strauss (1947), Vladimir Nabokov (from 1961 until his death in 1977), Mikael Gorbachev (1994), and Michael Jackson (1997).

The MOB SA railroad company also offers an original, slightly expensive but interesting day trip from Montreux, aboard Pullman Belle Époque panoramic carriages. The Chocolate Train then heads for Gruyère, where you can discover how the famous Gruyère cheese is made. From there, we visit the famous Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. The tour ends in Montreux. In the same vein, the "cheese train" takes you to Château d'Oex to discover how cheese is made.

An excellent welcome with themes specific to the Les Diablerets region according to the season: various maps such as those of summer and winter hiking trails, snowshoe trails, winter groomed footpaths, road bike and mountain bike trails and, of course, ski maps. You'll also find information on the region's culture and heritage, its rich gastronomy and all its sporting and leisure activities. The website is also very well updated, with regular offers based on current activities.

The Aigle Tourist Office is an essential information point for visitors to the town.

The CGN offers numerous cruises throughout the year with tourist visits. Individuals or groups can then sail on Lake Geneva to appreciate the beauty of the scenery, but above all to discover the must-see stops in the area such as the villages of the Lavaux vineyards, the castle of Chillon or the French medieval village of Yvoire. You have the choice of boats in a Belle Epoque fleet, with the option of steam and paddlewheels for the most beautiful effect.

After passing through the imposing portal of the building, you can admire the beautifully frescoed vaulted ceiling inside. On the wall adjacent to the church, you can read the history of the parish (Lutry church and convent). Lutry's origins are attested by a few notes mentioning the existence of a castrum and a fishing village(lustriacum). However, the town really took off in the ^11th century, thanks to the establishment of a Benedictine convent. Originally very modest, it consisted of a simple claustrum to the south of the church; its buildings expanded in the ^13th and ^14th centuries to form a vast monastic complex. In 1577, the vaults of the church's nave and choir were completely covered with Mannerist paintings by the Flemish painter Humbert Mareschet. They represent one of the richest ^16th-century decorations in Switzerland. A rarity in Switzerland, especially after the Reformation, which prohibited and even demolished this type of painting. It is said that they were in fact offered to the parish by the authorities in exchange for the parishioners' acceptance of the Reformation. However, the painter avoided all religious and biblical figures, outlawed by the Reformation, and replaced them with zoomorphic figures: atlatls, satyrs, fauns and chimeras. A "grotesque décor" with scrolls and graceful animals, roosters, rabbits and cranes, as well as a masked putto (love) facing a turkey. A possible metaphor for the vanity of those who conceal their personality.

The second floor of the château (where the historical museum is located) is devoted to the many souvenirs of past winegrowers' festivals: costumes, models, flags, archives, films, engravings, photographs... perfect for immersing yourself in this original tradition of Vevey life. It's also here that the brotherhood's council meets to prepare for future festivities, notably the famous Fête des Vignerons, which takes place about once every twenty years.

After the war, this ^16th-century residence, threatened with demolition, was saved by a bank and became home to Vevey's historical museum, as well as the Confrérie des Vignerons, which took over ownership in 1986. The building was restored, in particular the roof structure, where suitcases and other objects belonging to the various residents were discovered. Eight exhibition rooms, alternating regional themes and original collections.

It is the second largest Russian church in Switzerland, alongside the one in Geneva. In the ^19th century, many families of the Russian aristocracy came to spend the winter in Vevey. The Shouvalov family had two daughters, including Barbara, who died in childbirth in Vevey in 1872. Her family made a donation to the town to build a church in her memory. Typical of Slavic architecture, it was designed by Ippolito Antonovitch Monighetti between 1875 and 1878 and completed by the town's architect Samuel Késer. The church was listed as a historic monument in 1979.

Built by two architects, Philippe Franel and Jacques-Louis Brocher, between 1840 and 1846, this whimsical château bears witness to the troubadour style in vogue at the time, which had little influence in Switzerland. Its architecture can also be described as neo-Gothic. In 2007, it was sold for a symbolic CHF 1 to a German, who undertook a titanic renovation over a period of almost ten years (30 million Swiss francs and ninety different contributors) to respect its heritage and house luxury apartments.

The elevator takes you to the top of the tower, which serves as a relay station for Swiss television and telephone communications between Zurich, Lausanne and Sion. Perched at an altitude of 1,100 m, you can enjoy a 360-degree view, from the Jura to the Alps. From the Vevey-Mont-Pèlerin funicular station, it's a 1-hour walk. For the return journey, you can walk back down through the forest, past Chalet-Volet and Mont de Chardonne. Then finish the walk through the vineyards, pushing on to Vevey. Allow around 3 hours for the walk.

Located on the main operational base of the Swiss military aviation on the side of the nerve centre of the Payerne air base, this museum presents the military aeronautics of the second half of the 20th century. From the museum you can see military aircraft taking off at any time. The 3,500^m2 exhibition features a collection of nine aircraft and two helicopters. The jets are a unique sight. On the first floor, you will discover the world of a maintenance workshop, exhibitions on the squadrons and a collection of model aircraft.

One of the largest Romanesque monuments in Switzerland. Housed in the former conventual buildings of the monastery, the Payerne Museum presents the permanent collections of General Jomini, Napoleon's seer, and the painter Aimée Rapin (born without arms). Throughout the year, the gallery organises exhibitions of prestigious artworks such as Utrillo, Manessier, Le Corbusier, Hans Erni and Pietro Sarto. The discovery tour "Une si belle histoire" offers an immersive and interactive experience in twenty audio-guided stations to learn all the secrets.

Built in the ^11th century by Cluniac monks, the Abbey Church is one of the most important examples of Romanesque art in Switzerland. Built according to a typically Cluniac layout, it is characterized by a remarkably well-preserved unity of style. The purity and majesty of its architecture make this monument a masterpiece of Romanesque art at its best. In 2007, with the abbey church threatening to collapse, emergency measures were put in place and a major restoration program launched. Allow 1h30 for the audioguided tour.

Bicycle rental and Flyers.

Bulle, a charming town in the Fribourg region of Switzerland, offers many tourist attractions. For information on activities and places to visit, visitors can go to the Bulle Tourist Office. The office also offers tourist packages including accommodation and other activities. Whether you want to explore the surrounding mountains, visit the famous Château de Gruyères or take advantage of the region's thermal baths, the Office du Tourisme de Bulle is an ideal starting point for planning your stay in La Gruyère.

The Schwarzsee region is full of forests and beautiful hikes. Don't forget to eat in the small alpine huts where you can taste local products such as dry sausage and cheese or order a picnic basket. The members of the tourist office will help you to organise your visits to the Gantrisch nature park and the Guin region. Take advantage of your stopover or your stay to participate in folklore events and traditional events.

Founded in 1985 by Jean Bindschedler and Marie-José Aebi, then street puppeteers at La Samaritaine in Fribourg, this museum presents the rich collection assembled by the two artists during their travels. The collection includes shadows and puppets of various techniques from all over the world, including China, India, Indonesia, Africa, South America and various European countries, including Switzerland. It also includes magnificent paper theaters, masks and sets.

Fri-Art, founded at the end of the 1970s in the former seminary of Fribourg, has been housed since 1990 in a former 19th-century factory near the Motta baths in the old town. It is an ambitious centre for contemporary art, committed to mediating between the Swiss and international scene in its most current developments. A laboratory for the various artistic movements of today's art. Numerous exhibitions punctuate the year with artistic and cultural discoveries. It is also a place of exchange with the artists.

Built on the remains of a Gallo-Roman villa, the museum recounts, through mosaics, murals and bronze statuettes, the rich Roman heritage of the region. The two mosaics fully preserved, one of 97 m ², the other of 25 m ², are remarkable archaeological treasures.

One of the most remarkable lake reserves in Europe. The Grande Cariçaie, an immense marsh on the edge of the lake, is home to a third of the country's flora and a quarter of its fauna, as well as many rare and endangered species. It is a precious refuge for birds that breed there or stop over during migration periods. The reserve can be explored on foot or by bike along marked paths from Yverdon-les-Bains to Cudrefin. An educational walk where 800 plant species are found.

This powerful building dating from the 13th century bears witness to the rich past of the town of Estavayer-le-Lac. Built in one piece, it is reminiscent of the Savoyard style with its four round towers arranged in a square. Originally, its corners were defended by two-storey turrets and by a large tower commanding the entrance, but between 1433 and 1443, the turrets on the lake side were replaced by two brick towers. The castle was burnt down during the Burgundy wars and was rebuilt in 1503. The castle cannot be visited inside.

Situated on the edge of the lake (and the motorway for that matter) and surrounded by a large park, the Laténium takes us on a journey through the history of mankind through open-air displays and archaeological reconstructions. The visit begins with the Middle Ages and continues to the Neanderthal period, through the presentation of various objects: jewellery, everyday objects, boats, weapons, sculptures, all part of the world of the past.

The mines of La Presta were exploited from 1711 to extract asphalt, initially for the medical sector. It was not until 1812 that the industrial exploitation, with more than 100 km of galleries, allowed the ore to be exported for the construction of roads all over the world. The mines closed in 1986. The deposit was the largest in Europe. The visit shows how the water was evacuated from the depths and the asphalt brought to the surface by horses, replaced in the 20th century by electric locomotives.

Built in the 12th century, this castle was probably destroyed and restored many times, becoming Romanesque in the 13th century, Gothic in the 15th... Its final alterations, from 1955 to 1958, turned it into the museum we know today and which provides many explanations on wine production in the Neuchâtel region. The Musée de la Vigne traces the history of local viticulture and production techniques. You can discover the grape varieties used locally, such as Chasselas or Pinot Noir Gris, and all the advances in blending.

In keeping with its philosophy of discovering and experimenting with contemporary art through the presentation of works by local and international artists, the Centre d'art Neuchâtel houses a library, video library and projection room. CAN is managed by a non-profit association, which selects its programming according to the requirements of contemporary art exhibition production and public mediation. Events are organized throughout the year.

Gruyères is a charming medieval town with picturesque architecture. Its walled castle is one of the most visited medieval sites in Switzerland. The medieval village adjacent to the castle reinforces this historical reference and its symbolism. The Gruyère region is also known for its cheese civilization, which has shaped the region's verdant landscape. Gruyères epitomizes traditional, rural Switzerland, with its magnificent landscapes and pastoral traditions. Tourism developed in the second half of the 20th century, and today the commune offers a wide range of activities, from culture and gastronomy to sports and local traditions.

It is the true sap descendant of the ancient lime tree associated with the Battle of Murten. Associated with an historic event, the "Morat lime tree" is actually located 17 kilometers from Morat. It commemorates the Battle of Murten (1476), which saw Swiss troops inflict a severe defeat on Charles the Bold's Burgundian army. According to legend, a messenger ran to Fribourg with the good news, waving a branch as a sign of victory. Exhausted, he collapsed on arrival. The branch is said to have taken root at this very spot...

Very dynamic, very sporty and very welcoming. The Zermatt tourist office welcomes you every day to advise you on what to do during your stay. The team will guide you in your choice of activities according to the season you are visiting. In summer, don't miss the traditional goat walk or the guided tours of the village to learn about its history and local produce. Of course, it's also an excellent point of reference for information on train ascents such as the Gornergrat Bahn.