Discover Lavigny

Lavigny brings together local history, winegrowing and views of the lake and mountains. The village lies on the Côte and is surrounded by green spaces and vineyards. If you are considering Lavigny as a destination for your trip, you will find a range of things to explore here: historic buildings, public readings, walks through the countryside and opportunities for wine tasting.

Church, Fountains and Château

The Church of Lavigny, formerly known as Saint-Maurice, probably dates back to the 11th century. Wall paintings from the 16th century can be seen beneath its stone vaults. There are three covered fountains on Rue de l’Église; the oldest dates from 1803. The Château de Lavigny also has a long history: Gabriel-Henri de Mestral had it built in 1732 on the site of the former castle of the Lords of Lavigny.

The Château du Grand-Lavigny is a separate building: a 19th-century manor house and one of Lavigny’s three notable historic and architectural landmarks. The Château de Lavigny combines its earlier history with a cultural role today. Run by the Ledig-Rowohlt Foundation, it houses a residence for writers from around the world.

The international residence for writers and translators was founded by Jane Ledig-Rowohlt in memory of her husband, Heinrich Maria Ledig-Rowohlt, the German publisher of Rowohlt Verlag. Since it was founded in 1996, the residence has hosted around 600 writers. The château thus brings together the history of the building and a literary institution.

Public Readings at the Château

Public readings introduce the writers staying at the residence and give audiences the chance to meet them. The series runs on Sundays at 6 pm from May to September. Admission is free, but registration by email is required. On reading days, the château opens to visitors from 5:45 pm. Check the current programme before travelling so you can plan your visit for a suitable date.

Trails, Views and Swin Golf

The “Bancs pour mon Village” walking trail offers views of the lake, the Alps, Lavigny and the surrounding villages. Another way to explore the landscape is the La Côte Vineyard Route: after Perroy, it continues to Lavigny along signposted Route No. 63. The route passes through vineyards and offers views of Lake Geneva, the Alps and Mont Blanc.

The “Autour de Lavigny” route runs from Lavigny via Combe Lavaux, Villars-sous-Yens, Yens, Moulin Martinet, St-Livres and Es Côtes, then returns to Lavigny. If you plan to follow this route, check the trail conditions in advance, as they may change. The route descriptions highlight different aspects: one focuses on views and vineyards, while the other takes in the series of places around Lavigny listed above.

Swin golf is played with a single club and a soft ball on an 18-hole course in the countryside. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours for nine holes and up to four hours for 18 holes. This comparison can help you choose between a shorter round and a longer stay on the course. The Swin golf course and restaurant are open seasonally from March to November; check the latest information before visiting.

Wine Tastings and Getting There

Three wine cellars in the municipality welcome visitors, present their products and offer tastings. Daniel Rossier et Fils offers a cellar tasting at its estate in Lavigny; visitors are asked to announce their visit in advance. Domaine des Remans offers the option to book a wine tasting. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between a general visit to one of the wine cellars and these specific tasting offers.

Lavigny is not connected to the rail network; the CFF stations in Etoy and Morges can be reached by bus. MBC route 726 connects Lavigny to Morges railway station in about 20 minutes. CarPostal route 722 runs between St-Livres and Etoy via Lavigny. Check the timetable for your travel date if you want to coordinate your journey by train and bus.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Prex, Saint-Saphorin-sur-Morges, Saint-Sulpice, Préverenges, Denens, Tolochenaz, Bière, Cuarnens.

Return to the main travel overview: Morges.