Montherod: Arboretum, Nature and Village History

Montherod is a locality in the municipality of Aubonne, in the Morges district of the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. The farming village lies on a plateau above the Vaud Côte, west of the deeply incised Aubonne valley. Montherod is about 593 metres above sea level; its elevation ranges from 522 to 692 metres. The Allaman–Gimel road towards the Marchairuz serves as a point of reference. The central buildings of the Arboretum du Vallon de l’Aubonne are located in Montherod.

Landscape and Arboretum

The arboretum covers almost 200 hectares of woodland and open meadows, which are accessible to the public. Its collection includes more than 3,000 species and varieties of trees and shrubs. It pursues scientific, educational and recreational goals, introducing visitors to trees and fostering appreciation of them. During your stay, these grounds are both a landscape and part of an arboretum with an educational and recreational mission.

The Vallon de l’Aubonne is a wildlife reserve where almost 100 bird species can be observed. A beaver colony lives around the arboretum’s reservoir; wildlife sightings may vary depending on the location and time. The arboretum also maintains an orchard from an earlier period. Apple trees and dog roses, in particular, are carefully preserved there. The collection of trees and shrubs, birdlife and orchard each bring a different focus to the same nature theme.

Trails and practical information

The arboretum has several marked discovery trails. The available trails depend on local maintenance; check current trail information before your visit. The park is open year-round, while the reception desk and facilities have their own opening hours. Guided tours are organised on Sundays in summer and by request. If you are planning a guided tour, check the current schedule before your visit.

The reception desk is 1.7 kilometres from Montherod-Battoir bus station. Also check current local transport information before travelling. An electric wheelchair can be rented at reception for visits on the adapted paths; check the reservation requirements in advance. The route described by Vaud Rando, Rolle–Signal de Bougy–Montherod–Arboretum–Aubonne, passes through Montherod. Route descriptions may change as trail conditions change, so check the current route if you plan to follow it.

Church and village history

The Église de Montherod is dedicated to Saint Apre. A large-scale mural by Bodjol is on the north wall of the nave. In 1979, Bodjol also donated a new stained-glass window for the choir. The Vaud Rando route draws attention to the church, its murals and stained-glass windows. The mural and window are located in different parts of the church: the north wall of the nave and the choir.

Local tradition links Montherod to a secret workshop dating from 1794. According to the story, it produced counterfeit banknotes to the detriment of France, at the instigation of the English ambassador in Bern. The story remains a local tradition and adds a different historical reference to the village’s religious and artistic heritage.

The territory of the former municipality

The territory of the former municipality of Montherod is part of the Jura Vaudois Regional Nature Park. The wider territory of the former municipality included the source area of the Armary stream, the Sandoleyre valley, the Bois des Soules forest, the Saubrette valley and the course of the Aubonne River. Near La Vaux, the Aubonne is dammed to form a small pond. In 1997, woodland and forest covered 46 percent of the territory of the former municipality, while agriculture accounted for 48 percent. This former territorial classification and the year given help put Montherod’s landscape and regional connections into historical context.

Discover more destinations: Lonay, Saint-Prex, Bougy-Villars, Etoy, Montricher, Echichens, Préverenges, Cuarnens

See the main travel overview: Morges.