In Grandson, medieval buildings, contemporary art and cycling routes along the lakeshore offer different points of interest. Château de Grandson is a medieval fortress that has stood for more than a thousand years. It was at the centre of the Battle of Grandson in 1476. During your stay, you can plan a visit to the town centre, the exhibitions in the château and longer cycling routes as separate activities.
Getting here and finding your way
Since December 2015, Grandson has been the terminus of an RER Vaud line. Several trains an hour connect the town with places including Yverdon-les-Bains and Lausanne; numerous buses also run here. If you plan to stay overnight in Grandson, you can factor these connections into your travel plans.
The “A petits pas… Grandson!” walking tour is a way to find your bearings in town. It lets you explore the historic town centre on foot at your own pace, starting and ending at Place du Château. Along the route, 18 historical panels explain the town’s history and architectural heritage. The walk therefore combines getting to know the centre with information about its history.
Buildings and traces of history
The medieval church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste is in the centre of Grandson. It is a Romanesque building of national importance and is open to visitors free of charge during the day, outside of services. The Temple Saint-Jean-Baptiste contains features dating from the 14th century, including a wall tabernacle and a liturgical piscina. The Temple is believed to date from 1508; the sacristan Guillaume Bourgeois is named as its builder.
The Fontaine octogonale dates from 1637 and is one of the oldest basins in the canton of Vaud still in use. Another historical landmark is the Corcelettes-Les Violes site, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Menhir de Grandson is also worth including in your exploration of the surrounding area: it is 4 m high and can be found along a country path a few hundred metres from the edge of town. Path conditions may vary.
Cycling routes between town and the lakeshore
There are several route descriptions to choose from for cycling trips. The “Tour du lac” is a 108 km circular route listed for the Grandson region and follows SuisseMobile routes No. 5 and No. 50. It can be shortened by taking the train or boat from one of the towns on the lake; check the availability of these services before setting off.
The “Route du Vignoble de Bonvillars” starts at Place du Château in Grandson and follows the lakeshore. Another option on foot is the easy “Sur les traces de Charles le Téméraire” walk, which starts at Château de Grandson. The routes mentioned therefore have different starting points and formats: a long circular cycling route, a cycling route along the shore, and walks starting in town.
Exhibitions and regional products
The permanent exhibition “Grandson: 1000 ans d’histoire” at Château de Grandson covers more than 1,000 m², with 15 rooms spread over four floors. It also includes a sensory trail for children aged 2 to 8. La Galerie Philosophique presents poetic and emotional exhibitions of contemporary art. It was created by the studio of designer Jorge Canete, Interior Design Philosophy.
For regional products, the Maison des Terroirs is a place to visit: it serves as a tourist information office and provides brochures, maps and booklets for exploring Grandson and its surroundings. It also offers a wide selection of local and regional products, including AOC Bonvillars wines. This is a convenient place to find information for further exploration and discover the region’s selection of products.
Discover more destinations: Le Chenit, Sainte-Croix, Yverdon-Les-Bains, L'auberson, Mathod, La Praz, L'abbaye, Bonvillars.
View the wider travel guide: Northern Vaud Jura.
