A guided tour of the Vieille Ville takes about an hour and a half; the third stage of the ViaFrancigena between Cossonay and Lausanne, at 26 kilometres and 6 hours 25 minutes of walking time, calls for quite different planning. Cossonay lies on the edge of a plateau about 130 metres above the Venoge Valley. When planning your trip, you can therefore choose between short cultural activities and a longer hiking stage as distinct priorities.
Old Town and architectural history
The Vieille Ville de Cossonay is listed in the Swiss Inventory of Heritage Sites of National Importance (ISOS) and is recognised as a small town of national importance. A free visitor map showing its most important buildings is available from some local shops and the municipal administration. It helps visitors find their way around the buildings in the historic town centre.
Cossonay was first mentioned in a document dating from 1096, which transferred the church of Cossonay to Romainmôtier Abbey. In the 11th century, Château de Cossonay was one of the largest castles in the region. Temple de Cossonay was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and shows Cluniac influences. It has been listed as a Swiss cultural property of national importance since 1900.
Guided tours and local stories
Four local heritage guides lead tours of the Vieille Ville, sharing local history, details and anecdotes. Public tours take place twice a year: on a Saturday morning in spring and in autumn. Dates may change, so check the schedule if you are planning your stay around a tour.
A guided tour of Temple de Cossonay introduces its history and architecture, as well as its stained-glass windows and organs. Visitors can also climb the bell tower. Genius Loci offers another way to connect local history to the place itself: 20 QR-code medallions are spread across the municipality. Scanning one opens content about the spot where you are standing. This includes information about silk production in Cossonay between 1691 and 1800, as well as the history of its fountains.
Via Francigena and Étang du Sépey
The third stage of the ViaFrancigena connects Cossonay and Lausanne. On the section from the Cossonay plateau to Cossonay Penthalaz, the route descends by more than 100 metres. It then crosses hilly countryside with sections of forest and pasture before following the banks of the Venoge. The stated walking time for the stage is 6 hours and 25 minutes. If you plan to hike this route, allow for a longer walk with its own time commitment.
Étang du Sépey offers a different kind of landscape. The nature reserve covers 5.4 hectares, and its two ponds have a combined area of 2.4 hectares. It was formed after water filled a clay pit belonging to the Cossonay brickworks, which had been abandoned around 1920. Vegetation around the ponds includes reeds, wet meadows with rushes and sedges, and willows and alders. The area is a nationally important amphibian breeding site: 14 of the 18 amphibian species recorded in Switzerland are found here.
Cultural programme and regional products
There are several different ways to enjoy a cultural programme during your stay. Cinéma Casino de Cossonay has been operating as a cinema since the beginning of the 20th century; the company was founded in 1896. Its varied film programme includes blockbusters, arthouse films and comedies for all ages. Théâtre du Pré-aux-Moines has presented about 20 professional performances every year since 1991. The programme includes comedy, dance, improvisation, musicals, theatre and music. As individual performances may change, it is worth checking the dates before your trip.
Cossonay offers regional products at both a restaurant and a shop, each with a different selection. Local producers’ products shape the creative cuisine at Restaurant Fleur de Sel, where the selection is refreshed seasonally. Epicerie des Prés sources regional products directly from producers. These include fruit and vegetables, cheese sold loose, wine, beer and pasta. Alongside Old Town tours, a theatre programme and the longer ViaFrancigena stage, these options offer a range of activities that do not all require the same amount of time.
For the broader travel overview: Cossonay.
