L'Isle VD brings together the springs of the Venoge, marked trails and a rich architectural history. During your stay, you can focus on a walk by the river, hikes in the region or historic buildings in the village.
The Venoge springs and a walk by the river
Six springs of the Venoge lie in the upper village of L'Isle. Le Chauderon and Le Puits are the two main ones. The Venoge rises in the immediate vicinity of Château de L'Isle. Le Chauderon is a Vaucluse spring: water emerges there from a 13-metre-deep shaft. The spring flows only after heavy rain or during the snowmelt.
The «Sources de la Venoge» walk begins at L'Isle station, passes through the village and then follows the river. The MBC train from Morges takes you to the starting point. There are a few parking spaces at the station for the walk. If you are travelling by train, check the timetable before you set off.
Le Puits Ă la Zazie also tells the story of how the springs were used: its water supplied the hospice that Lucie Jousson had built at Mollendruz in 1882. The springs are therefore not only a subject for a walk, but also part of local history.
Hiking trails with different highlights
The European «Sur les pas des Huguenots» trail passes through L'Isle. From the gardens of Château de L'Isle, around 120 kilometres of marked circular trails wind through the region. The marked trails associated with the Château also include routes for climbing the Jura. This gives you a choice of different hiking experiences: a European long-distance trail, circular routes in the region and trails connected with the Jura.
The «Sentier de l'abri Freymond» is 15 kilometres long, with an indicated duration of about 4 hours and 30 minutes. From Col du Mollendruz, the trail offers views of the plateau, Lake Geneva and the Alps. Abri Freymond is an important archaeological site in the canton. Check local conditions before setting out.
The «Sources de la Venoge» walk focuses on the village and river, while the «Sentier de l'abri Freymond» has a stated length and approximate duration. This difference can help with your planning: decide whether you would prefer to explore the springs and the route through the village or plan a hike with a specified time commitment.
Another option is the treks and stays organised by Itiner'ânes. The company is based in La Coudre above L'Isle and offers donkey treks, which are considered especially popular with families.
Architectural history in the village
Château de L'Isle was built in 1696 by Charles de Chandieu. It is considered the first regional example of French classicism in French-speaking Switzerland; its architecture recalls the style associated with Château de Versailles. The site offers a tangible point of reference for the region's architectural history.
Temple de L'Isle was built between 1732 and 1734 to plans by the architect Guillaume Delagrange. The church contains a reused Flamboyant Gothic portal from the earlier church. L'Isle's rectory was rebuilt in 1754 and is considered a model type for rectories built in the canton of Vaud between 1750 and 1770.
The history of the village can also be read in its buildings: the former medieval market town of L'Isle was completely rebuilt after the fires of 1747 and 1836. The covered fountain, with its basin and granite fountain pillar, dates from 1885. Together, these dates illustrate different periods in the village's history—from its reconstruction to later buildings.
Discover more destinations: Yens, Ecublens VD, Lonay, Saint-Prex, Lavigny, Morges, Chigny VD, Bière.
Back to the main travel guide: Morges.
