A tour round the most beautiful villages
You simply have to visit Romainmôtier - as much for its impressive monuments as for its setting in wonderfully unspoilt nature which so delights walkers. Nestling in the foothills of the Jura mountain range and watered by the river Nozon, this tiny medieval hamlet is best appreciated by wandering through its picturesque streets which allow the visitor to enjoy magnificent views over ochre and yellow roofs. The contrast is even more striking from the top of the Belvédère de Forel or if you enter the village by the road from Juriens.
The entire village of Romainmôtier lives in time with its 1,000 year old abbey church built by Cluniac monks and the oldest Romanesque building in Switzerland. The site is extremely beautiful and was surrounded by a fortified wall, part of which has survived. But the traces that remain remind us of the grandeur the monastery once enjoyed. Your walk through Romainmôtier is sure to end in the Place du Bourg so you can enjoy the famous local beer or at the Maison du Prieur, or perhaps on the other side of the Tour de l’Horloge where you can indulge yourself with the wonderful tarts made on the premises.
The attractive country road leads to Orbe, a town which dates back to medieval and Roman times. Also, the most appealing group of Roman mosaics north of the Alps has been found not far away. All that remains of a lavish Roman villa, these mosaics depict priceless figurative scenes as well as geometric patterns. A must-see before continuing on your way to Grandson, crossing the valley of the Thièle dominated by the castle of Champvent.
Visite guidée « Romainmôtier, l’insoupçonnée » (© Michel Gaudard)
Visite guidée « Romainmôtier, l’insoupçonnée » (© Michel Gaudard)
Abbatiale Romainmôtier (Yves Henchoz)
Romainmôtier Abbey Church (© Studio Patrick Jantet)
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Romainmôtier Abbey Church
Built between 990 and 1028 according to the plans of Cluny church, the Abbatiale de Romainmôtier is one of the jewels of the Nord vaudois region.
The stage for many concerts, the church echoes with the notes of its great contemporary organ, both in summer and winter. A stone’s throw from here, festivals and banquets are held at the Maison du Prieur, a historic building with an impressive fireplace, which can accommodate over 200 people.
Concerts de Romainmôtier (Pierre Jouvenat)
Abbatiale Romainmôtier (Yves Henchoz)
Romainmôtier Abbey Church (© Patrick Jantet)
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Romainmôtier, member of “The Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland”
The thousand-year-old abbey church sets the rhythm of the entire village. This church is a Cluniac site and Switzerland’s oldest Romanesque-style building. A unique site, whose walled enclosure has partially survived and whose vestiges let visitors easily imagine the grandeur of the former monastery.
The stroll ends invariably on “Place du Bourg” for a taste of the famous local beer or at “Maison du Prieur” opposite Tour de l’Horloge where homemade pies are on offer.
Romainmôtier automne (Swiss-Fly Boris Bron)
Abbatiale Romainmôtier (Yves Henchoz)
Romainmôtier hiver (Michel Gaudard)
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Orbe roman mosaics
Discovered in the mid-19th century north of the town of Orbe in the Yverdon-les-Bains region, the mosaics used to adorn the most important rooms in the villa. Made of naturally coloured stones, they depict gods, trompe l’œil geometric shapes or figurative scenes of Greek mythology, such as the famous labyrinth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
Although it is still not known who owned the villa, the luxurious decoration of this huge dwelling (230 m by 90-110 m) would suggest that he was very wealthy and enjoyed a luxurious life style.
Between 1986 and 2004, the Boscéaz site was an educational site for archaeology students at Lausanne University. These digs led to the discovery of a 9th mosaic, a mithraeum (place of worship dedicated to the god Mithra) and a spa.
Orbe roman mosaics (© Archéologie cantonale de l'Etat de Vaud - Fibbi-Aeppli photographes)
Orbe roman mosaics (© OTV)
Orbe roman mosaics (© Armand Dériaz)
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The Esplanade of the Castle and Round Tower
The lords of Montfaucon owned the town of Orbe from 1168 to the end of the 16th century. They built the castle with three towers and a circular keep, the present round tower. The city also retained their coat of arms “Gules, two bends sinister addorsed Or”
In 1835 the town ordered the demolition of the two square towers in order to fill the moats and to extend the terrace. The ancient perimeter walls were lowered in order not to block the view.
Today, the round Tower and a square tower are the sole remains of this fortress. The esplanade shaded by the tall chestnut trees has become a much-loved recreational area.
The round Tower is open to the public all year round. Explanatory panels at the foot of the edifice and inside provide information on the structure.
Round Tower (claudejaccard.com)
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