A medieval tower overlooks the Roman amphitheatre of Avenches and houses the Musée romain: here, the city’s layers of history meet head-on. Avenches is connected with Aventicum, the former Roman capital. Roman ruins, the amphitheatre and the museum give this heritage different forms—from archaeological monuments to works of art and insights into the private lives of the Helvetii.
Aventicum: monuments and museum
The Arènes romaines d’Avenches date from the early 2nd century AD. In the Musée romain, mosaics and reliefs tell the story of Aventicum and its Romanisation, as well as the private lives of the Helvetii. The golden bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius is the collection’s centrepiece. In the museum, you can encounter both the grand history of the former capital and depictions of everyday life.
The archaeological promenade complements your visit with stereoscopic glasses and the free Erleb-AR app. The app lets you explore ancient monuments through three-dimensional reconstructions. From the Tornallaz tower, enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view over the Roman site. The Route du Site romain d’Aventicum can also be explored by bicycle.
Two recurring events take place at the Arènes on different dates: Rock Oz’Arènes in August and the international military music festival Avenches Tattoo in September. Check the programme for your visit dates before travelling.
Medieval lanes and the château
The Vieille Ville reveals a different era: its development began in the 11th century. Fortified towers, cobbled streets, arcades and gardens shape the historic townscape. A walk follows the former city walls, fortified gates and medieval towers, and can be combined with a visit to the Château d’Avenches.
The Château is classified as a cultural property of national importance and brings together medieval and Renaissance architecture. The adjoining barn houses the Théâtre du Château. Its auditorium seats 290 people, with 220 seats in the stalls and 70 in the balcony; cultural performances take place there throughout the year. The Galerie du Château hosts five to six exhibitions annually.
If you would like to explore the old town with a guide, Avenches Tourisme offers a 1.5-hour tour of the old town and the Tour de Benneville. A reservation may be required, so check in advance. The walk around the Château is about 2 km long. Depending on how long you have, allow 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.
Horses, storks and seasonal experiences
The Haras National Suisse is open to visitors free of charge all year round. Its educational trail has 33 stations. Training sessions for the horses in the courtyard or riding hall are also open to the public; schedules may change. If you would like to see the training, it is therefore advisable to check the schedule in advance.
Avenches is the only nesting site in French-speaking Switzerland and is home to around 30 pairs of storks each year; the number may vary from year to year. Storks are easy to spot at the Haras from around mid-February to mid-August. This seasonal window adds a distinct accent to your visit, separate from the event dates in late summer.
There are also seasonal activities on the water: at the Base Nautique d’Avenches at Camping Plage d’Avenches, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and pedal boats are available to rent on Lake Murten. During the summer season, the Base regularly organises stand-up paddle excursions and other activities. Check the operating dates and current programme in advance.
Another way to discover Aventicum is the guided culinary tour “Balade gourmande à la romaine”. Along the way, small tasting stops inspired by recipes from Apicius complement the walk. As the programme and booking details may change, check them in advance.
Planning your stay
The Avenches tourist office is located in the town centre and provides information about activities and leisure options in Avenches and the region. This lets you combine different sides of the destination when planning your visit: Roman archaeology, medieval town history, cultural performances and seasonal experiences at the Haras or Lake Murten.
Discover more destinations: Avenches, Gros-De-Vaud, Aubonne, Riviera-Pays-D'enhaut, Yverdon, Oron, La Vallée, Lavaux
Return to the main travel overview: Vaud.
