Renens is an urban municipality in the canton of Vaud, in the Ouest lausannois district, and directly borders Lausanne. The densely built-up urban area is also characterised by parks and green spaces; Lake Geneva is nearby. Urban structure and green open spaces thus come together in a distinctly urban destination.
Urban history and culture
Renens was first mentioned in a written record in 896. From an agricultural village, the municipality developed into an urban centre through trade and crafts, as well as industrialisation in the 19th and 20th centuries. This development provides a historical backdrop to the town as it is today.
The TKM Théâtre Kléber-Méleau is located in Renens-Malley. Its cultural mission includes hosting productions, opening the theatre to schools and people with disabilities, and promoting amateur theatre with «La Ruche». The TKM can be reached by Metro M1, buses 17, 18, 19, 32 and 33, and trains S1, S2 and S3. Check connections before travelling.
Globlivres was founded in 1988 and is Switzerland’s first intercultural library. Its collection comprises 35,000 books in 300 languages. For travellers interested in cultural diversity, the library offers a different focus from theatre or visual art: books and an exceptionally broad range of languages take centre stage.
La Ferme des Tilleuls offers exhibitions, concerts, film screenings, scientific gatherings, readings, ceramics workshops, artist residencies and participatory works. Its multidisciplinary programme is open to everyone; invited artists develop site-specific projects there. A range of formats sit side by side, from readings and concerts to artworks created specifically for the venue.
The artistic profile also includes «Le Colossal d’Art Brut ORGANuGAMME II» by Danielle Jacqui, a monumental ceramic work permanently installed in the courtyard. The composition weighs 36 tonnes and was originally intended to cover the façade of the railway station in Aubagne, France. Its present location in Renens and the original plan for Aubagne are two distinct chapters in its history.
The Quartier de la Piscine also has its own historical significance: its built ensemble is listed in the Inventory of Monuments and Sites of the Canton of Vaud. The «Cahier de l’Ouest» traces the history and development of the neighbourhood over more than 50 years. This makes it possible to consider the municipality’s long-term development separately from the history of a single neighbourhood.
Routes and practical information
The «Balade des contrastes» offers another way to explore Renens and its surroundings. It runs from Renens Village via Malley and the lakeshore to Dorigny, passing through Renens, Prilly, Lausanne, St-Sulpice, Ecublens and Chavannes-près-Renens. If you choose this route, check the trail conditions before setting off.
Specific directions are also available for La Ferme des Tilleuls: the venue is about a 10-minute walk from Renens railway station and can be reached by buses 17 and 19 to the «Sous-l’Église» stop. The pedestrian bridge at the station is called «Rayon Vert» and is connected with the station’s development into a mobility hub. Check connections before your visit.
Café des Tilleuls serves daily dishes from the region and elsewhere. The dishes are prepared mainly with local ingredients and are mostly vegetarian. As the selection may change, check the current menu before your visit.
Renens thus brings together several distinct interests: theatre and a library, a varied cultural programme, art around La Ferme des Tilleuls, and urban and neighbourhood history. The «Balade des contrastes» complements these cultural themes with a route featuring named start and end points. Which highlights suit your stay depends on whether you would rather explore individual cultural subjects in depth or take a route through several municipalities.
Discover more destinations
Epalinges, Crissier, Bussigny, Belmont-Sur-Lausanne, Romanel-Sur-Lausanne, Lausanne
For the main travel overview: Lausanne.
