Cossonay: Old Town, Culture and Nature

Cossonay combines a protected historic old town with a landscape on the edge of the plateau above the Venoge Valley. When planning your stay, you can explore different aspects of the town: architectural history, guided town tours, the ViaFrancigena, cultural events or the Étang du Sépey wetland.

Between the plateau and the Venoge Valley

Cossonay lies on the edge of a plateau about 130 metres above the Venoge Valley. On the ViaFrancigena, you can feel this change in elevation on the stage from the Cossonay plateau to Cossonay Penthalaz: the route descends more than 100 metres there. Beyond Cossonay Penthalaz, it passes through rolling countryside with stretches of woodland and pasture, then follows the banks of the Venoge. The third stage connects Cossonay and Lausanne over 26 kilometres; the stated walking time is 6 hours and 25 minutes. These route details give a concrete sense of how long a hike on the ViaFrancigena takes.

Old town and architectural history

The Vieille Ville de Cossonay is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National Importance (ISOS) and is recognised as a small town of national importance. A free visitor map showing the old town’s main buildings is available from some local shops and the municipal administration.

Cossonay is first mentioned in a document dating from 1096, which transferred the church of Cossonay to Romainmôtier Abbey. In the 11th century, the Château de Cossonay was one of the largest castles in the region. The Temple de Cossonay was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and shows Cluniac influences. It has been listed as a Swiss cultural property of national importance since 1900.

Guided tours and cultural events

Four local heritage guides lead tours of the Vieille Ville, sharing local history, details and anecdotes. The tour lasts about an hour and a half. Public tours take place twice a year: on a Saturday morning in spring and on a Saturday morning in autumn. As individual dates may change, check the current dates before making plans.

A guided tour of the Temple introduces its history, architecture, stained-glass windows and organs; visitors can also climb the bell tower. The formats differ considerably when it comes to planning your time: about an hour and a half for the old town tour, compared with the stated walking time of 6 hours and 25 minutes for the Cossonay–Lausanne stage.

The municipal Genius Loci programme comprises 20 medals with QR codes distributed throughout the municipality. Scanning one opens content about the place where you are. Topics include the development of silkworm production in Cossonay between 1691 and 1800, as well as the history of the fountains.

The Cinéma Casino de Cossonay has been showing films since the beginning of the 20th century; the company was founded in 1896. Its varied programme includes blockbusters, arthouse films and comedies. Since 1991, the Théâtre du Pré-aux-Moines has presented around 20 professional performances each year. The programme includes comedy, dance, improvisation, musicals, theatre and music. Check the current dates for specific performances.

Étang du Sépey and regional products

The Étang du Sépey nature reserve covers 5.4 hectares and includes two ponds with a combined area of 2.4 hectares. It was formed when water filled a clay pit abandoned around 1920 that had supplied Cossonay’s brickworks. Around the ponds, the wetland vegetation is characterised by reeds, wet meadows with rushes and sedges, and willows and alders. The site is a nationally important amphibian spawning area; 14 of the 18 amphibian species recorded in Switzerland are found here.

Regional produce is also part of the town’s character: Restaurant Fleur de Sel focuses on creative cuisine using products from local producers and updates its offerings seasonally. Epicerie des Prés offers products sourced directly from producers, including fruit and vegetables, cheese sold loose, wine, beer and pasta.

For the broader travel overview: Cossonay.