Payerne is a political municipality and the capital of the Broye-Vully district in the canton of Vaud. Its visitor attractions focus on a variety of interests: the abbey church and a historic walking tour take you through the city’s culture and history. The Clin d'Ailes Military Aircraft Museum offers flight simulators, while Payerneland focuses on go-kart tracks and a tower attraction. This lets you tailor your trip to your interests in architecture, aviation and active experiences.
Abbey Church and City History
Payerne Abbey Church was built by monks from Cluny in the 11th century. It is remarkably well preserved today and a masterpiece of Romanesque art. If you are interested in historic architecture, this is a clear cultural highlight. Visitors can explore the abbey church on an interactive tour.
The historic walking tour offers a different perspective on Payerne. QR codes help you discover the city’s history, monuments and hidden corners. The route includes 16 stops located near the main sights. It is free and available in French, German and English; check the local visiting conditions before your trip. While the abbey church focuses on a single building, the walking tour connects several stops covering themes from the city’s history.
In German-language contexts, you may also come across the former name “Peterlingen.” It is now rarely used, particularly in connection with the abbey.
Aviation History at the Airfield
The Clin d'Ailes Military Aircraft Museum has three modern flight simulators. One lets visitors take a seat in the cockpit of a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet, accompanied by an experienced supervisor. This cockpit experience is quite different from a museum visit focused on exhibits or city history.
Clin d'Ailes arranges guided museum tours on request and by prior agreement. They are offered in French, German or English and led by former military pilots, mechanics and air force personnel. If you plan to take a tour, factor in the advance-request requirement.
A PostBus connects Payerne CFF railway station with the airfield where the museum is located. Check the timetable before travelling so you can include the connection in your journey.
Go-Kart Tracks and Payerneland Tower
At Payerneland, you can compare two go-kart tracks by their dimensions and features. The fully covered indoor track is 900 metres long, covers an area of 8,000 square metres and features a banked turn. The outdoor Grand Prix track is 1,050 metres long, with fast sections and technically challenging turns. The outdoor track is therefore 150 metres longer, while the descriptions highlight different features for each track.
The 20-metre-high Payerneland Tower offers a different activity: its five floors feature obstacle courses and acrobatic games. The attraction is suitable for everyone aged two and up. Payerneland therefore offers a choice of go-kart tracks and a multi-level course—two clearly distinct types of experience.
Discover more destinations: Dompierre VD, Bellerive Vd, Cremin, Mur VD, Cudrefin, Corcelles-le-Jorat, Chevroux, Vully-Les-Lacs.
See the broader travel overview: Broye-Vully.
