Yverdon-Les-Bains: Culture, Archaeology and Nature

Yverdon-Les-Bains offers a range of themes to focus on when planning a trip: archaeological heritage, museums, contemporary art and landscapes along Lake Neuchâtel. If you’re looking for a hotel, first consider which theme you’d like to shape your stay. The options range from fortifications and statue menhirs to fashion collections, art and lakeside landscapes.

Archaeology and Architectural History

Castrum Eburodunense is one of the three largest fortifications of its kind in Switzerland. Explanatory information boards for visitors are located on the site. The Clendy site comprises 45 statue menhirs, considered evidence of the megalithic era in Switzerland. These offer two distinct archaeological points of interest for planning your visit: a fortification and a site with statue menhirs.

Yverdon-les-Bains Castle was built in the 13th century and is a Swiss cultural asset of national importance. It is designated as a museum and houses the Yverdon Regional Museum. The castle’s cellars also contain two exceptional Gallo-Roman boats made of oak.

Museums and Art

The MuMode collection preserves more than 14,000 items of clothing and accessories dating from 1750 to the present day. Its scope therefore spans several centuries, offering a specific focus for travellers interested in fashion history.

CACY (Centre d'Art Contemporain d'Yverdon-les-Bains) is the first contemporary art centre in the canton of Vaud. It is located in the vaulted rooms of the administrative building on Place Pestalozzi. This building is classified as a cultural asset of national importance. The Centre Pestalozzi welcomes visitors interested in the life and work of the great educator. The cultural themes thus range from fashion history and contemporary art to an interest in the life and work of an educator.

The Maison d’Ailleurs is in the historic centre of Yverdon-les-Bains, five minutes from the railway station. This gives you a specific landmark to help you find your way during your visit.

Lake, Marsh and Lakeside Landscapes

The Pro Natura Centre at Champ-Pittet is located on the shore of Lake Neuchâtel in Yverdon-les-Bains and provides access to Switzerland’s largest lakeside marsh. The surrounding Champ-Pittet area features 40 hectares of reed beds, wet meadows and floodplain forests. Trails, boardwalks, nature paths and observation points are part of this natural area.

Yverdon-les-Bains beach has gently sloping shores with fine sand, wooded lawns and beach volleyball courts. The two landscapes are clearly distinct: Champ-Pittet is known for its wetlands and observation points, while the beach offers sandy shores and sports courts. As paths and access arrangements at Champ-Pittet, as well as facilities at the beach, may change, check the latest information before your visit.

Events Throughout the Year

Yverdon-les-Bains hosts numerous sporting and cultural events each year, including the Le Castrum festival. If you’d like to plan your trip around an event, check the dates and programme in advance, as both may change.

Discover more destinations: Villars-Burquin, Cronay, Vugelles-La Mothe, Orbe Vd, Mathod, L'abbaye, Bonvillars, Onnens

For the broader travel overview: Northern Vaud Jura.