Grand Tour of Switzerland - Stage 2The route of the Grand Tour of Switzerland crosses the region around the River Orbe, a river with a character all its own. Between Vallorbe and Yverdon-les-Bains it offers you the opportunity to take a leisurely drive alternating between light and semi-darkness. The Grand Tour follows the edge of the forest to Romainmôtier and Croy and then makes a detour to Orbe before taking you on a tour of the northern Vaud countryside. The route continues through the colourful, flower-filled meadows of the Chavornay and Essert-Pittet region before finally reaching Yverdon-les-Bains.Orbe Rue des moulinets Gorges de l'Orbe C. Jaccard Abbatiale Romainmôtier Y. Henchoz Abbatiale Romainmôtier Hiver Montcherand et tournesols C. Jaccard Marché d'Orbe C. Jaccard Bâtiments historiques Yverdon (studio KO - Yverdon-les-Bains)950.58251953125Pré-Giroud Military FortCarved out of the rocks, it forms part of our military heritage.
Built between 1937 and 1941, the Pré-Giroud military fort in Vallorbe defended the Col de Jougne mountain pass from any foreign invasion and helped to guard the French-Swiss border in World War II.
In 1945 this artillery fort, which was carved out of the rocks, accommodated 200 men. It consists of 6 blockhouses linked with underground galleries with stocks of ammunition, a machine room and one barracks.
Three independent buildings are visible outside. They were surrounded by a double row of barbed wire, minefields and anti-tank protections.
Acquired by a private foundation inn 1988, Pré-Giroud can now be visited. It gives visitors an idea of the military’s conditions of life and their confinement, but also of the fort’s armament: cannons, missile launchers, arquebus and machine guns from bygone days.
The esplanade of the fort situated above Vallorbe commands fine views of Col de Jougne. The strategic importance of the site becomes immediately obvious.Pré-Giroud Military Fort (claudejaccard.com)Pré-Giroud Military Fort (claudejaccard.com)811.50219726562Vallorbe CavesOne of the best-known attractions in the Yverdon-les-Bains region, the Vallorbe natural caves are well worth a visit. The rich geological formation combined with skilful lighting creates a magical atmosphere for visitors to these caves. Although you’d probably imagine the underground tunnels to be wreathed in silence, this is not the case at all: the river roars noisily but eventually dies down until all you hear is the light trickling of water down the walls.
The Cathédrale, at over 30 m high, is the natural theatre for a sound and light show. The visit concludes with the Fairy Treasure Trove, an amazing collection of 250 minerals from all over the world.
Both summer and winter, the caves remain at a constant and comfortable temperature. Open all year round, the supernatural effects of this exceptional environment are a particular favourite with children and teenagers.Liste des prix apéritifs des grottes de Vallorbe (Les grottes de Vallorbe)Grottes de Vallorbe (Vincent Bourrut - www.vincentbourrut.ch)Grottes de Vallorbe (Vincent Bourrut - www.vincentbourrut.ch)Grottes de Vallorbe (Vincent Bourrut - www.vincentbourrut.ch)Grottes de Vallorbe (Vincent Bourrut - www.vincentbourrut.ch)Grottes de Vallorbe (Vincent Bourrut - www.vincentbourrut.ch)749.10430908203The Gorge of OrbeThanks to the natural reserve that has protected the site and its flora since 1970 and has guaranteed calm for the wildlife, this excursion allows the hiker to walk through a preserved natural environment.
Natural pine forests, oregano, wild thyme, juniper and certain orchids can be admired along the path, as well as glacial mills in the upper part of the village of Les Clées. The River Orbe is the habitat for trout, kingfishers, grey herons, chamois and even beavers on the lower part of the trail.
Parking possibilities in Vallorbe or Orbe, busses or trains between the two localities. Restricted schedules at weekends, but the possibility of using PubliCar service. Hikers are requested to follow the path and to respect the diversions. Great care is required on all paths.Saut du Day (Suisse Tourisme - André Meier)Gorges de l'Orbe (Suisse Tourisme - André Meier)Gorges de l'Orbe (Suisse Tourisme - André Meier)Gorges de l'Orbe (claudejaccard.com)Itinéraire Gorges de l'Orbe 440.88613891602Thermal Centre Yverdon-les-BainsThe Yverdon-les-Bains thermal spa is built around a sulphurous spring bursting from the earth at a temperature of 29 degrees. This water is reputed for its excellent beneficial effects on the joints, respiratory tracts and digestive system and also the muscles.
The spa has four pools, including one indoor pool, where the water temperature is kept at 34° in winter and 28° in summer. With jacuzzis, hammams, bubble baths, massage jets and activated water currents, there are many opportunities for relaxing and enjoying a deep sense of well-being.
The Grand Hotel des Bains, a superior 4-star hotel, and its magnificent rotunda dating back to 1896, offers luxury accommodation for visitors to the adjacent spa.
From the first century A.D. people came to enjoy the baths at Eburodunum, now Yverdon-les-Bains.Touristic map - Yverdon-les-Bains (ADNV)Thermal Centre Yverdon-les-Bains (Nuno Acacio)Centre Thermal (Nuno Acacio)Centre Thermal (Nuno Acacio)Centre Thermal (Nuno Acacio)763.35687255859762.72119140625758.40728759766752.01635742188752.23718261719756.59466552734758.52899169922767.50152587891775.99987792969780.61328125787.39349365234790.00732421875792.25836181641792.99163818359793.70306396484790.66790771484787.29815673828784.03277587891785.16265869141786.39343261719783.81677246094791.49737548828782.26428222656779.73236083984774.26593017578774.51770019531771.36669921875769.13171386719765.75695800781765.22198486328764.48223876953764.64227294922757.65600585938758.24652099609755.87518310547755.10321044922750.83953857422748.48138427734742.91516113281742.48303222656740.32104492188732.267578125729.55670166016722.68292236328720.56030273438716.34338378906708.37133789062702.89837646484693.79803466797694.16705322266687.22900390625684.58203125681.49261474609674.09100341797665.75958251953658.66021728516643.25622558594637.83532714844635.18994140625633.97723388672636.61285400391644.14111328125642.26000976562644.50201416016649.74871826172645.93902587891646.05346679688643.62268066406642.82305908203611.42724609375602.02020263672596.87298583984594.23199462891572.69268798828570.80804443359566.76818847656562.93255615234559.25817871094549.57873535156538.43768310547528.33489990234520.72106933594508.47247314453517.63226318359522.45568847656526.71508789062531.08978271484519.630859375514.16333007812511.91793823242510.68811035156507.05987548828507.30352783203497.34393310547492.14190673828483.56063842773474.72497558594469.50393676758454.41110229492450.4553527832444.26797485352442.75958251953442.31790161133439.51327514648440.03637695312439.80590820312438.17413330078438.84075927734448.8567199707449.10180664062450.99682617188450.40954589844451.43930053711450.5133972168449.82104492188448.89852905273446.34918212891444.56680297852445.29962158203446.2991027832446.50592041016446.14105224609440.12231445312440.66702270508439.7158203125438.32113647461439.00238037109439.9494934082439.83364868164440.59390258789443.54284667969443.61544799805450.98492431641456.68197631836455.22552490234456.54290771484457.51672363281449.60433959961448.58395385742448.08074951172448.03753662109443.97549438477442.32516479492444.36303710938448.66217041016455.90716552734446.76773071289453.42434692383443.39343261719448.09661865234439.30612182617436.16943359375441.75726318359443.19845581055444.44909667969445.95883178711446.96948242188448.81478881836439.87835693359438.71807861328437.19317626953438.20776367188439.85119628906440.61178588867439.61917114258439.95574951172439.86795043945440.91625976562445.96862792969445.93621826172443.98095703125440.17263793945438.43676757812436.47552490234436.02005004883436.94836425781431.61337280273435.3837890625437.01690673828437.27740478516437.41909790039435.79580688477