Discover Bière: Hiking trails and history at the foot of the Jura

Bière lies on the southern arc of the Jura at an altitude of around 700 metres. As a destination, the town brings together several specifically named hiking and cycling routes with a historic townscape. When choosing your stay, you can consider whether you would like to focus on a river route, forest trails, a cycle ride through several villages or the history of the church. The train station is a starting point for two of the activities described: the «Au fil de l’Aubonne» hike and the family-friendly «Tous en selle au Pied du Jura» cycle ride both begin here.

Hiking along the Aubonne and through the forest

«Au fil de l’Aubonne» starts right at Bière train station and follows the river through a natural landscape towards Aubonne. Along the route, eleven information panels describe natural and historical features of the region. This hike therefore combines the route along the Aubonne with the subjects covered by the panels, providing two specific points of reference along the way.

Another named hike is «Col du Marchairuz – Aubonne». It passes through Bière; the trail runs through the forest and descends to Bière at the foot of the Jura. The «Chemin du Vallon de l’Aubonne», in turn, leads from Bière to Yens train station and is eleven kilometres long. The routes can therefore be compared by different features: the «Au fil de l’Aubonne» is defined by its river route and information panels, while the length and destination station provide specific points of reference for the «Chemin du Vallon de l’Aubonne».

The starting point of the «Au fil de l’Aubonne» hike can be reached by train via the MBC. A narrow-gauge railway also connects Bière with the town of Morges. Bière’s historic station building has been renovated. The station, rail connection and hiking trailhead thus provide a clear point of reference for finding your way around the town, without conflating the different routes.

Cycling through five villages

The «Tous en selle au Pied du Jura» cycle ride is available in three loops of ten, 15 and 21 kilometres. The 21-kilometre loop is rated easy in terms of both technical difficulty and endurance. The family-friendly ride starts at Bière train station and passes through five villages at the foot of the Jura: Bière, Ballens, Montricher, Mollens and Berolle. The different loop lengths offer a specific choice of distance; the route through the five named villages also shows which places the ride includes.

The route descriptions also differ: the cycle ride is defined by its loop lengths and route through several villages, while the hiking trails are characterised by the river, forest, destinations and information panels. These differences can help you choose the focus of your stay based on the routes actually named, rather than assuming that one particular route or activity is part of another.

Church and local history

Bière’s history goes back a long way. As early as before 1177, the priory and parish village were under the authority of Grand-Saint-Bernard. The church is believed to have been built between 1100 and 1150; its historic choir dates in part from the 12th century. These two dates place the church within the town’s medieval history, while the construction date is explicitly an estimate.

A major turning point was the fire of 1705, which almost completely destroyed Bière. Bière Chapel was built in 1929 and features magnificent stained-glass windows by the painter Gaston Faravel. The church, choir and chapel offer different points of interest if you are interested in the town’s architectural and local history: the church represents the medieval period, while the chapel is a 20th-century building.

Regional produce and cuisine

For dining, Bière has several restaurants, including two pubs and three pizzerias, serving regional specialities. The town market offers fruit, vegetables and other regional produce. Restaurants and the market complement the routes and historical sites with two distinct aspects of the town: its dining options and local products.

Discover more destinations: L'isle Vd, Denens, Montricher, Chigny Vd, Féchy, Tolochenaz, Saint-Saphorin-sur-Morges, Allaman.

Back to the main travel overview: Morges.