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About this place
Église de Montpreveyres is the Reformed parish church (known locally as a temple) in the village of Montpreveyres, canton of Vaud, Switzerland. It stands in the Lavaux-Oron district on the eastern edge of the Haut-Jorat plateau, at roughly 800 metres above sea level. The present building dates from the mid-18th century and replaced an older church dedicated to Saint Laurence.
What is the history of the church?
The parish of Montpreveyres is documented from 1228. Before 1160 a priory founded by the canons of Great St Bernard operated here, serving as a staging post on the road from Lausanne to Moudon. The medieval church of Saint Laurence was pulled down and the current temple went up on the same spot in 1757-1758.
Later changes were modest: the building was modernised in 1818 and restored in 1895 and 1949. From 1828 the neighbouring village of Corcelles-le-Jorat joined the parish, and Les Cullayes belonged to it between 1828 and 1837.
What will you see?
A plain village church in the Vaud Protestant tradition: a restrained 18th-century structure, built for worship and preaching rather than ornament. Treat it as a stop on a walk through the village rather than a destination for a full day. The real appeal is the setting, with the open Jorat countryside, fields and woodland, and views towards Lavaux.
How do you get to Montpreveyres?
The village lies along the historic Lausanne-Moudon road, northeast of Lausanne. Driving is the easiest option; the church sits at 46.5842 N, 6.7481 E. Check regional bus timetables before you go, as services in small Jorat villages run less often than in town.
When should you visit?
Spring, summer and early autumn suit hiking in the Jorat area best. The church is an active parish building, so the interior is usually open mainly during services and local events, while the exterior can be viewed at any time.
Frequently asked questions
Is Église de Montpreveyres a Catholic church? No. It is a temple, a Reformed (Protestant) church, in line with the tradition of canton Vaud.
When was the present building constructed? In 1757-1758, on the site of an older church of Saint Laurence.
When was it renovated? It was modernised in 1818 and restored in 1895 and 1949.
How long does a visit take? Seeing the church and its surroundings usually takes 15-30 minutes, so it pairs well with a walk around the Jorat.
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