The Canton of Vaud is one of the most featured areas in “The most beautiful villages in Switzerland” association.
Founded in 2015, this association aims to promote, protect, enhance and coordinate member villages as part of a tourist route. Historical, cultural and architectural heritage and scenery are the basic criteria for joining. Grandson, famous for its castle, was the first town in the region to become a member, followed by Romainmôtier, a must-see with its ancient abbey church, which is also the oldest Romanesque building in Switzerland. Then came the vineyard village of Saint-Saphorin, which is also part of the Lavaux vineyard terraces, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Rougemont, with its famous painted chalets, and Avenches, which was the capital of Roman Helvetia, then followed. Moudon, with its rocky promontory crowned by Saint-Etienne church, the region’s second largest gothic building, was added this year.
With these six sites, the Canton of Vaud is one of the most featured areas in the association which, in June, joined the Official Federation of the Most Beautiful Villages on Earth, including 11 countries.