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About this place
Avenches Castle (Château d'Avenches) rises above the town of Avenches in the Swiss canton of Vaud and is listed as a heritage site of national significance. A Renaissance-era residence in what was once Roman Aventicum, it works today as a cultural and civic building rather than a museum.
What is the castle's history?
The bishops of Lausanne built the castle in the 13th century as a residence; the town belonged to their domain. In March 1536 Bern took the bishop's secular lands, and Avenches became the seat of a new bailiwick. The Bernese bailiff moved into the castle, found it cramped, and had it rebuilt and enlarged between 1565 and 1568. That campaign gave the building the Renaissance form you see now.
What will you see?
The castle is mainly a building to admire from outside: a Renaissance volume and facade in the historic centre. Inside, it now houses offices, classrooms, a theatre, an art gallery and a library, so access to the interiors depends on what is on. Check the gallery and theatre programme before you go.
Is this where the Roman museum is?
No. The archaeological museum devoted to Aventicum, capital of Roman Helvetia, sits in a medieval tower beside the amphitheatre, separate from the castle. Both stops fit on one walk through Avenches, though, so they combine easily in a day.
How do you get there?
Avenches lies in Vaud, in an enclave surrounded by the canton of Fribourg, close to Lake Murten. The castle stands in the old part of town and is visited on foot together with the other sights. Coordinates: 46.881 N, 7.041 E.
Why go?
The castle shows the medieval and Bernese layer of a town that visitors mostly know for its Roman ruins. It pairs well with a stroll through the old town.
Frequently asked questions
Who built Avenches Castle? The bishops of Lausanne, from the 13th century, as their residence.
When did it get its Renaissance look? Between 1565 and 1568, when the Bernese bailiff had it rebuilt and extended.
Can you go inside? The building holds a theatre, a gallery and a library, and parts are used as offices and classrooms. Entry depends on events, so check the programme first.
Is the castle a protected monument? Yes, it is a heritage site of national significance.
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