Autumn delightsin the canton of Vaud

Autumn is the ideal season for an excursion or a stay in the canton of Vaud.

Mild temperatures, nature’s flamboyant colours and festive events mark this bright and calm season. Get inspiration from our top 20 must-do autumnal activities!

As a calmer period after the frenzy of the summer, the autumn still promises bright days and balmy evenings in the canton of Vaud. Radiating from a sky that seems closer to the Earth, the sun rays shed new light on the magnificent landscapes. An unmissable stroll in the terraced vineyards of Lavaux UNESCO opposite majestic Lake Geneva and the Alps will fill you with a feeling of plenitude and will create an atmosphere for daydreaming. The yellow-orangey hues of the vineyards form a lovely contrast with the blue-grey reflections of the water that is as smooth as a mirror. The grape harvest in full swing throughout the county lends itself perfectly to taking multiple snapshots!

Our favourites

Enjoy the autumnal colours at the Arboretum
Countryside walk through the National Arboretum and vineyards overlooking Lake Geneva.

Stroll through Lavaux during the grape harvest
Enjoy a different experience of the Lavaux UNESCO vineyard with the interactive activities of the Vaud:Guide app.

Attend the Vacherin Mont-d'Or Festival
At the end of September, the Fête du Vacherin Mont-d’Or marks the season start for this soft cheese typical of the Vallée de Joux.

Watch the cows passing by during the désalpe of L’Etivaz
A traditional festival in the Swiss Alps, perpetuated for generations in the Pays-d’Enhaut village of Etivaz.

Attend the désalpe in St-Cergue
An important traditional celebration marking the end of the mountain pasture season.

Celebrate the harvest festival in Lutry
Every year, the old township of Lutry turns into a festival venue to mark the end of the grape harvest.

Stroll through “the cowbells market” in Romainmôtier
Rendezvous for bell collectors, farmers and visitors in search of the local products of Vaud.

Visit the Bonvillars truffle market
Dedicated to the Swiss truffle, this market gives you a chance to sample this exceptional product.

In autumn, you may also like to…

There are unforgettable moments to be had in the mountains and the countryside too. After the hot summer days, the air cools down in the Vaudois Jura and Alps. How pleasant it is to take a stroll in these cooler temperatures! To clear your head, there’s nothing better than a walk through the forest or across wooded pastures, taking the time to observe Mother Nature’s marvels and smell the fragrance of the undergrowth. The Alpine pastures, which are the home of typical cheese dairies and pubs, are conducive to sharing friendly moments around excellent local products and wines. Be sure not to miss the many breathtaking views!

Between cultural and sports activities and must-attend traditional events, get some inspiration from the most beautiful of seasons!

Book a wine tasting session and cellar visit
Open Cellar Days, wine tasting sessions at the vintners’ cellars, a stroll through the vineyards, ideal food-wine pairings and a vintner and oenologist’s work await gourmets out for winetouristic experiences.

Organise a hike to Chavonnes Lake
Let's discover the Lac de Chavonnes along this wonderful hike !

Plan an excursion to the canton’s animal parks

Book a gourmet hike in Risoud Forest
Discover one of Europe’s largest forests and terroir products.

Make a “raisinée” pie
Raisinée is a concentrated apple or pear juice used to make succulent cakes and sweet tarts.

Taste Malakoffs in Vinzel
A speciality of La Côte, Malakoffs are delicious fritters made with cheese and local white wine and fried in oil.

Meet the producers of the Vacherin Mont-d’Or in Grandson

Discover the mushrooms of the Vaudois Jura Park
Guided tour of the Vaudois Jura Park

Stroll through the La Côte vineyards on the wine trail
This fun walk is available on the Vaud:Guide app. It takes walkers to Morges and part of the La Côte AOC vineyards.

Visit Plateform 10 as a premiere
The new Platform 10 “arts district” brings together the Cantonal Fine Arts Museum, the Elysée Museum and the Museum of Design and Contemporary Arts

Visit the Le Chalet cheese dairy in Château-d’Oex
Parfait ambassadeur des produits authentiques du Pays-d’Enhaut, le restaurant Le Chalet est aussi une fromagerie de démonstration.

Combine culture and winetouristic strolls in Aigle
Discover Chablais AOC Wine Region thank to this fun and interactive path, loaded on your smartphone!

The agenda – check out the must-attend events between tradition and gastronomy.

In the villages and towns, there are multiple markets and events that liven up the season. Whether they are traditional, gastronomic, urban or cultural, these cordial moments of sharing will be a memory to be cherished. The colourful désalpes, a living tradition to the sounds of the cattle’s bells, reflect the spirit of this pivotal period that gently takes us to the first days of winter.