Temple de Mex

Temple de Mex is the Reformed Protestant church standing at the heart of the village of Mex in the canton of Vaud, western Switzerland, just beyond the western edge of the Lausanne urban area. The building has medieval roots, with wall paintings from the early 1900s and stained glass from the late 1970s. It suits anyone who likes small village churches and the sacred architecture of French-speaking Switzerland.

What is this building and what is its history?

Today's Reformed church is the former parish church of Saint Mary Magdalene. A parish already existed here in 1228, and the foundation itself goes back to the Middle Ages. Between 1580 and 1582 the masons Antoine Vallon and André Petter partly rebuilt it. A further major renovation took place in the third quarter of the 17th century. Around 1790 the walls were raised and a small belfry was added, according to records.

Mex adopted the Reformation in 1575, while Bern ruled this part of Vaud. The former Catholic church has served a Reformed congregation ever since, which is why the French name is "temple".

What will you see?

• Late Gothic windows in the facades, a legacy of the 16th-century rebuilding.
• Wall paintings created in 1908-1909 by Louis Rivier.
• Stained glass by Yoki, dated 1979, which gives the interior a modern accent.
• The village setting, listed in the Swiss federal ISOS inventory of protected built sites.

The church is small, so a visit takes about fifteen minutes. Pair it with a stroll through the village.

How do you get to Mex?

The village sits at about 492 m above sea level, and the church is in its centre (coordinates 46.578 N, 6.552 E). It is a short drive from Lausanne, and many residents commute to the Lausanne region. Public transport is a bus line linking Mex with Crissier, where you can change for onward connections toward Lausanne. In the Middle Ages the road from Lausanne to Jougne, an important route toward France, ran through the village.

When is the best time to visit?

Mex has roughly 830 inhabitants and a rural feel, so it is quiet in every season. Daytime in good weather works best, when you can take in the gentle hills of the Gros-de-Vaud. Fixed visiting hours are not listed, and the interior is easiest to see during services and parish events. If you want to see the paintings and stained glass, check with the Reformed parish (EERV) beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

Is Temple de Mex the same as Mex in Valais? No. This church is in Mex, canton of Vaud. The village of the same name in Valais lies near Saint-Maurice, in a different part of the country.

What period is the church from? Its origins are medieval, and a parish existed in 1228. The present form results from rebuilding in 1580-1582, in the 17th century and around 1790.

Who painted the interior murals? The wall paintings of 1908-1909 are by Louis Rivier. The 1979 stained-glass windows are by Yoki.

Can you go inside? The interior is accessible during services or parish events. We do not list fixed visiting hours, so contact the parish.