Ollon Vd brings together winegrowing, architectural heritage and walking trails. The village of Ollon is clustered around its distinctive bell tower, surrounded by vineyards and situated at the foot of the mountain. Specific points of interest for a trip include the fortified site of Lessus in St-Triphon, historic buildings in Ollon and Salaz, and activities centred on the vineyards.

Vineyards and village life

The Ollon vineyard lies at the foot of the Pre-Alps. It faces south and benefits from a warm, dry climate influenced by the Föhn wind. The Balades dans le vignoble combine walks through the vineyard slopes of Ollon with wine tastings and culinary specialities offered by participating winemakers. Those interested in visiting a winery have another option: most winemakers in Ollon welcome visitors for tours and tastings. The former municipal office in Ollon now houses the Caveau des vignerons.

Historic buildings and their stories

The Reformed Church of Saint-Victor in Ollon is protected as a historic monument. The abbey building of the Abbaye de Salaz in Salaz, Ollon, is protected as a historic building. The Abbaye was a rural dependency of the monks of St-Maurice; the estate includes a four-hectare vineyard. The Abbaye therefore brings together its historic connection to St-Maurice and a vineyard on the same estate.

The origins of Château de la Roche date back to the early 13th century. It is open to the public during performances, exhibitions, conferences and receptions. Group tours can be arranged on request. Its event schedule is important for planning: public access is limited to these occasions.

Lessus and the Tower of St-Triphon

The fortified site of Lessus in St-Triphon is open to visitors and provides evidence of settlement in the area since prehistoric times. The site includes the former entrance gate to a fortified settlement and a Romanesque chapel with distinctive architectural decoration. The gate and chapel illustrate different aspects of the site: the former entrance to the fortified settlement and a place of worship built in the Romanesque style.

The square tower of St-Triphon is 18 metres high; its only door is 9 metres above the ground, halfway up. A path leads from the village of St-Triphon to the tower on the hill. The measurements and the path offer two specific points of reference: the unusual position of the entrance and the route from the village up to the tower.

Walks and natural areas

Ollon has seven walks exploring the municipality’s architectural heritage and history. The marked Sentier des vignes runs through Ollon and is accessible year-round. The municipality also has 13 fountains with a total of 27 basins. These figures add another detail to the village landscape alongside its major historic sites.

The Jardin botanique de St-Triphon has a different focus on nature: it is home to rock-garden plants, medicinal plants and Mediterranean plants. The garden includes three ponds with a total surface area of 180 square metres, as well as an unheated greenhouse. The ponds and greenhouse add specific features to the garden alongside its different plant groups.

At Gouille du Duzillet, visitors can swim, sunbathe and barbecue. Access is free and open to everyone; swimming is unsupervised. The pond is also a recognised diving site for underwater photography, with abundant fish and good visibility. These are two distinct nature experiences: the botanical garden focuses on plants and landscaped areas, while Gouille du Duzillet offers water activities and diving.

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