Crissier: Village History, Nature and Culture

Crissier is in the Ouest Lausannois District in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The municipality covers 550 hectares; around 40 percent of this area consists of agricultural land and forests. During your stay, the town combines historic traces with paths through wooded landscapes, an excursion destination with views of Lake Geneva and cultural offerings at the Millennium.

Village History and Early Traces

In the old village, molasse buildings bear witness to Crissier’s agricultural and wine-growing past. A stone on the façade of the village church bears the date 1598; its choir probably dates from the 15th century. The municipality also has visible traces of its Roman past: remains of a villa that was inhabited for almost four centuries can be found in the Montassé area. Excavations uncovered it in 1963 and 1970.

Another striking feature is on a playground near Chemin de Brolliet in the town centre: an erratic gneiss boulder left behind by the Rhône Glacier around 17,000 years ago. In Crissier, traces from different periods meet—from Roman settlement to geological evidence of the Ice Age.

Walks along the Mèbre and the Sorge

Walks along the Mèbre and the Sorge take you within minutes from an industrial setting into wooded landscapes. The Balade 4 route passes through the village and along the Sorge, which flows through a wooded corridor at the edge of town. The ravine is damp; numerous small streams run down the slopes and contribute to lush vegetation. If you choose this route, the transition between the village and the wooded river landscape is one of its distinctive features.

The Vallon de la Mèbre was transformed from a former industrial site and vehicle storage area into a nature park. A footpath along the Parc de la Mèbre connects the woodland path with the neighbourhoods further south and complements the route along the Mèbre between Renens and the hills of Ouest lausannois. Extensive meadows, newly planted woodland edges and widened riverbanks support biodiversity. Access to the forests of Crissier is free. The “Arbres, fruits et légumes” walking route passes through Crissier, Renens and Ecublens; along its route through the gardens and parks of Ouest lausannois, Balade 7 introduces visitors to historic gardens, among other things.

Montassé: Views and Recreation

Montassé is a recreation area with views of Lake Geneva and is used as a picnic spot in the warmer months. The site has a playground, benches and tables, a barbecue and public toilets. The municipal shelter can be rented by the public. It’s a place to enjoy the outdoors and the lake view without needing to plan a longer outing.

Culture and Local Produce

The Millennium brings together a contemporary art gallery, a bookshop with a literary café and cultural events. As Montreux Jazz Club Millennium, it offers a year-round programme featuring renowned artists and emerging talent. If you’re planning a visit, check the current programme and event dates in advance.

Local produce is also part of Crissier’s character. The L’Esprit du Fruit farm shop, run by the Blondel family, offers locally grown fruit as well as regional meat, dairy products and other foods. Check the current opening arrangements before visiting. The family has farmed the Domaine de la Blancherie lands in Crissier for three generations. La Pinte lists a wide selection of local wines.

Getting to Crissier

Crissier can be reached via the Renens and Lausanne railway stations and five TL bus routes. Check the current timetable for bus travel. By car, the municipality is located at the A1/A9 motorway junction and has a Crissier exit. You can weigh up the different ways of getting there according to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Romanel-Sur-Lausanne, Belmont-Sur-Lausanne, Lausanne, Epalinges, Bussigny, Renens

Return to the main travel overview: Lausanne.