More than nine centuries of history have shaped the Château d’Oron, a monumental cultural heritage site of national importance. Its history was shaped, among others, by the Barons of Oron, the Counts of Gruyère, the Bernese bailiffs and several bourgeois families. On self-guided visits, you can explore the keep and the covered rampart walk. Guided tours are available year-round by request and must be arranged in advance. Check current visiting options before you travel.
The Roman past is also linked to a specific place: in 1812 and 1813, remains of a Roman villa were probably discovered at Au Martinet in the municipality of Oron. The Roman road between Vevey and Moudon ran through there. The Bellevue agricultural estate in Chesalles-sur-Oron tells a different historical story. General Guisan bought and farmed the estate and lived there from 1897 to 1902. In Palézieux, the ruins of the former Château de Palézieux are still visible today. Here you can encounter different traces of history: a château with areas open to visitors and the visible remains of a former castle.
Hiking trails and varied route profiles
The Grand Tour de la Commune d’Oron is a hiking trail that connects the municipality’s ten villages and stays within its boundaries. The municipality also provides a download for the Grand tour de commune; the stated length is 25.59 kilometres. For a shorter option, compare two other hikes: a route from La Rogivue leads to the centre of Oron-la-Ville and takes about two and a half hours. Along the way, secluded sections through pastureland alternate with scenic heights. A hike rated easy leads from the historic town of Rue to the Château d’Oron near Oron-le-Châtel; it is 7.5 kilometres long and takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The municipal circular routes also vary in their courses and landscapes. The Tour Nord-Est de la commune d’Oron follows the Mionne to its confluence with the Broye and forms a circular route of about 12 kilometres. It takes approximately three hours and is rated moderate. The Tour Nord-Ouest passes through patches of woodland and along waterways; its loop is about 13 kilometres long. The Tour Sud-Est follows the Broye and the Mionne and forms a circular route of about 9 kilometres. On the Tour Sud-Ouest, the trail crosses the Broye twice; the loop is about 8 kilometres long. The Tour Est passes through Chesalles-sur-Oron, Bussigny-sur-Oron, Ecoteaux and Palézieux, and crosses the Mionne twice. The Tour Ouest crosses numerous waterways, including the Grenet, the Biorde and the Broye.
Crafts, regional products and getting there
At the Atelier Créa-Tine at Le Bourg 4, 1610 Oron-La-Ville, plant-based dyes and botanical prints are made, and the atelier offers workshops. It is accessible by public transport, and parking is available nearby. Confirm practical access information before travelling and check workshop availability directly with the atelier.
In Chesalles-sur-Oron, the Laiterie-Fromagerie sells its products directly in the shop and through a vending machine accessible around the clock. For travel by PostBus, route 385 runs from Palézieux-village to the Oron-la-Ville, centre stop. Check the current timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Servion, Savigny, La Vallée, Avenches, Lausanne, Broye-Vully, Riviera-Pays-D'enhaut, Aubonne.
For the broader travel overview: Vaud.
