Moudon Region
The Moudon region lies in the heart of the Vaud countryside in western Switzerland, between the Jorat plateau and the Broye valley. It is a rural, agricultural area of rolling hills, fields and forests, crossed by the Broye river and its tributaries, with views over the Alps and Prealps. The historic town of Moudon, the former capital of the Pays de Vaud, sits at the centre of the region and is known for its exceptionally well-preserved medieval built heritage, including the Ville-Haute quarter classified as a site of national importance. The region brings together a dozen communes such as Lucens, Oron, Rue, Servion and Valbroye, each with its own castles, churches and village heritage. It is a land of artists and writers, from the poet Gustave Roud to the painter Eugène Burnand, and is rich in local traditions, festivals, markets and artisanal food production. Nature lovers will find a dense network of marked hiking trails, cycling routes and long-distance paths, including the Via Jacobi pilgrimage route.
Summer activities
The Moudon region offers a dense network of marked hiking trails through fields, forests and along the Broye river, with views over the Alps and Prealps. Several themed and experiential walks are on offer, such as the bee trail, the honey walk and the literary Gustave Roud trail. Cyclists can follow bucolic loops through the Broye, Gros-de-Vaud and Jorat, including a mountain-bike course with obstacles at Cremin. Families can enjoy playgrounds, picnic areas, a swimming pool, geocaching and farm visits, while the region's rivers and molasse cliffs invite relaxed riverside strolls.
Culture and entertainment
The Moudon region is a lively cultural destination with a rich calendar of festivals and events. Moudon hosts the Brandons carnival, one of the largest in French-speaking Switzerland, along with music festivals such as FestiMusiques, PianoFest and the Amis de l'orgue. The region is home to several theatres, including the historic wooden Théâtre du Jorat at Mézières, the café-théâtre Barnabé at Servion, and the Grenier Culture season in Moudon, offering theatre, comedy and musicals throughout the year. Museums and galleries, from the Eugène Burnand museum to the Sherlock Holmes museum at Lucens, and a lively programme of markets, fairs and concerts round out a distinctive cultural life.
