Land of culture, heritage and traditions

To learn more about the history of the canton of Vaud, simply open your eyes and ears.

Perfectly integrated in today’s landscape, the castles, chalets, palaces and even some boats bear witness to our region's rich past. Encountering passionate artisans is also a way of sharing living history.

Visitors who are most interested Vaudois culture and heritage can choose between many museums, whose collections tell a thousand and one stories, whereas the exhibitions at cultural sites in Vaud are of interest to anyone.

But heritage is also forward-looking in the canton of Vaud: contemporary art museums, as well as futuristic buildings and villages that combine tradition and modernity allow our guests to understand the current issues of a canton that is attached to its identity.

Media

Highlights

Discover the world of high-end watchmaking in Vallée de Joux

Vallée de Joux is one of Switzerland’s cradles of high-end watchmaking. The history of this industry and its founders is exciting.

Historic hotels in the canton of Vaud a heritage to be experienced

Some Vaud hotels were built more than 100 years ago. Discover their history.

Lavaux UNESCO

Spoilt by nature, Lavaux is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful regions among other historic, scientific, sport, winetouristic and even artistic attractions.

Themes

Museums in Vaud

The canton of Vaud is a region with the most museums per capita. With such an offer, each culture buffs is sure to find what they are interested in, be it history, contemporary art or societal topics.

Découpage - pas de saison - Pays-d'Enhaut - Fabrice Wagner

Know-how and traditions

Many Vaudois craftspeople offer their objects of art that either perpetuate traditions or stem from their creativity.

Lausanne Cathedrale and view on the Lake Geneva

Built heritage and contemporary architecture

Vestiges of history and modern edifices exist harmoniously side by side in the county of Vaud. As representatives of their time, their point in common is to serve as witnesses of the development of a dynamic region.

L'art sous toutes ses formes

Qu'on parle d'expositions de photographies, de sculptures, de peintures, mais aussi d'arts vivants tels que la musique, la danse, le théâtre tout est réuni dans le canton de Vaud pour vous émerveiller !

Cultural itineraries and historical routes

Combining the effort of hiking, the discovery of landscapes and a journey through time: this is the promise of the cultural itineraries and historical routes of the canton of Vaud.

Vaudois sites forming part of the UNESCO World Heritage

The vineyards of Lavaux, prehistoric stilt dwellings, the architectural work of Le Corbusier, the archives of the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Winegrowers’ Festival in Vevey have so far constituted the canton of Vaud’s contribution to the UNESCO world heritage.

Castles in Vaud

With twelve castles open to the public and an even greater number of private buildings that can be rented for events, the canton of Vaud is a land that values history and the vestiges of its past. Of various sizes and styles, these fortresses are well preserved and often livened up with varied interactive exhibitions.

The most beautiful villages of the canton of Vaud

Distributed all over the cantonal territory, several picturesque villages have been classified among “the most beautiful villages of Switzerland”. The canton of Vaud is thus one of the most represented Swiss cantons within the eponymous association.

The canton of Vaud in Roman times

Did you know that the Romans loved the canton of Vaud? Walk in their footsteps in many wonderfully preserved sites.

Cultural events

Culture is celebrated in the canton of Vaud! Various events in the field of music, dance, theatre or other arts bring together connoisseurs and the curious. The choice is vast and everyone finds something suitable in each season.

Transport & access

Spring - Summer

Autumn - Winter

Throughout the year

Our destinations

Not to be missed

Activities

Plan your stay