Perroy Vd: Vineyards, Local History and Routes

Perroy Vd is a municipality in the Nyon district of the canton of Vaud, Switzerland. Its village setting combines gentle vineyard slopes, centuries-old houses and panoramic views of Lake Geneva. This offers three specific themes to consider when choosing a destination: winegrowing, a historic village center and a variety of routes. If you are planning a stay, you can weigh these priorities against one another and choose Perroy based on the interests that matter for your trip.

Village Setting and History

The historic village center is laid out as a linear village along the Grand-Rue, grouped around the church and priory. Perroy is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Protected Heritage Sites of National Importance as a protected historic settlement. The linear layout along the Grand-Rue and the central church and priory shape the character of the place.

The Reformed Church, formerly Notre-Dame, features interesting stained-glass windows; its choir, bell tower and the entire building are protected as historic monuments. It is a typical late-15th-century building and received an early Neoclassical interior design at the beginning of the 19th century, rare for its time. The church is first mentioned in writing in Pope Innocent II’s confirmation of the priory’s property, dated March 16, 1132. The Benedictine priory is documented from 1172. Its chapel became the parish church; the monks cleared the slopes in Perroy, planted vines and established the priory. The priory, with its sundial, is also a protected historic building. The Loge de la Gordanne and its gate are also protected historic structures.

Vineyards and Wine Experiences

Vineyards cover 45 percent of the municipality. Château de Perroy is an agricultural and winegrowing estate in the village center on the slopes of La Côte. The winery gives the area of its vineyard as 6.595 hectares; this information may be updated. The slopes face south and have gradients of 10 to 40 percent. Three imposing square towers and deliberately asymmetrical architecture define the château.

East of the château estate, a meadow- and orchard-covered area extends across a terrace to the wooded edge along the Eau Noire stream. For a wine tasting, the Cave Clair Obscur cellar is in the old village center; visitors are welcomed to taste its wines by appointment. Domaine du Feuillerage also offers a picnic in an authentic Capite de vigne, set up for the purpose in the vineyard. There are therefore different formats to choose from: a tasting by appointment or a picnic in a vineyard hut.

Walking Loops and Cycling Routes

The “Autour de Perroy” circular route runs from Perroy via La Pêcherie, Allaman, La Chivra, Féchy, Bougy and Le Chêne, and back to Perroy. The Route du vignoble de La Côte offers a 35-kilometer cycling route with 747 meters of elevation gain. It passes through vineyards and offers views of Lake Geneva, the Alps and Mont Blanc. From Nyon, it follows local route signage no. 1 to Perroy, then continues toward Lavigny.

The cycling route is rated easy; this rating does not take seasonal road conditions into account. As routes, signage and conditions can change, check the latest route information before setting out. Another option is the “Balade familiale à vélo du côté de Rolle,” an easy family cycling loop through the winegrowing villages of Perroy and Allaman. This makes it possible to choose between a cycling route with a stated distance and elevation gain, and an option explicitly described as an easy family loop.

Discover more destinations: Vinzel, Crassier, Essertines-Sur-Rolle, Mont-Sur-Rolle, Saint-Cergue, Commugny, Luins, Begnins

For the full travel overview: Nyon.