Northern Vaud Jura: Nature, Ski Touring and Cultural Heritage
Accommodation in Northern Vaud Jura
The Sainte-Croix / Les Rasses region has three ski touring routes lasting around 1.5 to 2 hours, with an average elevation gain of 450 metres. Northern Vaud Jura combines this winter aspect with a landscape characterised by gentle hills, forests and lakes.
Geographical setting
The Nord vaudois visitor area stretches from the shores of Lake Neuchâtel to the summit of Chasseron and includes vineyards and plains. The Jura vaudois Regional Nature Park extends across three regions, including Jura-Nord vaudois. As part of the Jura mountain range, the park features a typical karst landscape with marshes, caves and sinkholes.
As an administrative district in the Swiss canton of Vaud, the Jura-Nord vaudois district covers 701.13 km². Its capital is Yverdon-les-Bains; elevations range from 426 to 1,650 m above sea level. The Vallée de Joux is a valley in the Jura mountains with three Swiss lakes. The municipalities of Le Chenit, Le Lieu and L'Abbaye belong to the Jura-Nord vaudois district.
Nature
The Grottes de Vallorbe were formed by the River Orbe and constitute a geological formation with stalactites, stalagmites and limestone columns. The visit includes the more than 30-metre-high La Cathédrale chamber and ends at the Trésor des Fées, with a collection of 250 minerals from around the world.
Above Vallorbe, Juraparc offers the opportunity to observe wolves, bears and bison. The animals move semi-freely through an extensive, natural-looking park landscape. Juraparc also includes a playground and an enclosure with farm animals, which are particularly popular with children.
The sandy beaches of Yvonand offer gently sloping access to the water and a low current, making them particularly suitable for children. Visitors can go pedal boating, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, sailing, motorboating and kitesurfing there.
Winter and trails
A 12 km sporting circular hike from Sainte-Croix leads to Chasseron, the highest peak in the Nord vaudois. From the summit, the hike offers views of the Alps, Lake Neuchâtel, Lake Geneva and the Nord vaudois plain. Since Roman coins were discovered, the summit of Chasseron has been associated with an ancient place of worship.
The Sentier de l’eau et du Vallon du Nozon presents the geology of the Jura mountain range, aquatic biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as the history and cultural heritage of the localities and current issues relating to water resources.
The hike through the Gorges de Covatannaz begins at Sainte-Croix railway station. For the return journey, the “Travys” panoramic train is available via Baulmes to Sainte-Croix or onward to Yverdon-les-Bains. The Jura-Nord vaudois offers opportunities for hiking and cycling through varied landscapes.
The passes in Jura-Nord vaudois connect valleys through forests and meadows and over mountain ridges. Gravel cycling, mountain hiking and mountain biking routes are available in this area. The 49 km Route du Pied du Jura 50 cycle route connects Yverdon-les-Bains with Bière and passes the Roman mosaics of Orbe-Boscéaz and the Abbatiale de Romainmôtier.
Culture and history
Cultural attractions in Jura-Nord vaudois include the medieval old town of Yverdon-les-Bains with Château d'Yverdon, the Roman mosaics of Orbe-Boscéaz, the Abbatiale de Romainmôtier, Château de Grandson and the Menhirs de Clendy.
The Abbatiale de Romainmôtier was built between 990 and 1028 according to the plans of the church of Cluny. Regular religious services and concerts are held in the abbey church. The Roman mosaics of Orbe-Boscéaz are protected in four pavilions open to visitors and originate from nine rooms of a luxurious Roman villa. They depict deities, geometric trompe-l’œil patterns and scenes from Greek mythology, including the labyrinth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
The permanent exhibition “Grandson: 1000 ans d’histoire” at Château de Grandson covers more than 1,000 m², 15 rooms and four floors. Château de Grandson was connected with the Battle of Grandson in 1476, a decisive event in European history.
The Musée du fer et du chemin de fer in Vallorbe presents the history of railways and ironworking in five rooms and with 227 metres of model railway tracks. The museum is located on the site of the Grandes Forges, whose six water wheels on the Orbe are still in operation.
Water, wine and agriculture
The Yverdon-les-Bains thermal spa is built around a sulphurous spring that emerges from the ground at a temperature of 29°C. The facilities include two pools, whirlpools, a sauna, bubble baths, massage jets and activated water currents. The water temperature is 34°C in winter and 28°C in summer.
The Cave des Viticulteurs de Bonvillars welcomes visitors six days a week to discover its specialities. By reservation, visitors can tour the cellar and vineyards and take part in events. Northern Vaud Jura is characterised by agricultural dynamism and existing agroecological initiatives linked to sustainable change in the food sector.
Visits to truffle gardens in Bavois, Bonvillars, Mathod and Suchy include explanations from truffle growers, a demonstration of truffle hunting with a truffle dog and a tasting of truffle-based products.
Places in Northern Vaud Jura
Romainmôtier-Envy, Vuiteboeuf, Le Sentier, Sainte-Croix, Les Rasses, Le Lieu, L'abbaye, Villars-Burquin, Bullet Vd, L'auberson, Montagny-Près-Yverdon, Orbe Vd, Champvent, Giez Vd, Baulmes, Le Chenit, Mathod, Grandevent, Yverdon-Les-Bains
To the overarching travel overview: Vaud.
