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.