"Yverdon-les-Bains" Yverdon by Tolik

Yverdon Travel Guide: 10 reviews and 26 photos

Plasce Pestalozzi in the Old Town - Yverdon

Yverdon is suffixed “-les-Bains” for its spa waters, 14,000-year-old mineral springs bubbling up from 600m below ground, rich with all kinds of curative properties and celebrated at least since Roman times. But there several other things that made the town famous – the Menhirs, the castle, and the Maison d’Ailleurs to name a few.

Le Centre Thermal

Yverdon – known as Eburodunum (the Fortress of the Yew Tree) in Gallo-Roman times – lies on one of Europe’s most significant ancient crossroads. In a wood near the Yverdon’s suburb of Clendy there are 47 standing stones, or Menhirs, dating back 4000 BC. Unlike the Stonehenge area, access to the Menhirs in Yverdon is free and unlimited. Later came the Romans but off its Roman history Yverdon has kept only the remains of the Castrum (fortified citadel built in 370AD) located near the local graveyard. The town was founded one more time in 1260 when Pierre of Savoy, who worked on the Château de Chillon, built a castle here. Next to the solid castle, you will find a pleasant and compact Old Town with many baroque and neoclassical facades. North of the chateau a visitor will see Maison d’Ailleurs - museum of science-fiction housed in the old prison – good place for a museum, isn’t it?

Yverdon-les-Bains is also handy as a jumping-off point for the amazing old castle at nearby Grandson, and for trips to Ste-Croix, Neuchâtel and Estavayer-le-Lac.

Last visit to Yverdon: May 2003
Intro Updated Jun 14, 2003
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Reviews (6)

The Church at the Place Pestalozzi Favorites (1)

The first temple was built on the site in 1218, only the bell-tower remains from it (containing in its low part the... more travel advice

Grandson château Off The Beaten Path (2)

Take a post-bus from Yverdon to Gorgier-St-Aubin and 10 minutes later you will arrive in a small town called Grandson... more travel advice

Maison d’Ailleurs Local Customs (1)

Opposite the chateau is the Maison d’Ailleurs (“House of Elsewhere”; Wed–Sun 2–6pm; .7 CHF; students 6 CHF;... more travel advice

A Menhir - prehistoric standing stone - Yverdon

The Menhirs Off The Beaten Path (2)

The shortest routes from central France to Italy, and from southern France to Central Europe and Germany, not to mention... more travel advice

Things to Do (2)
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Comments (4)

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Zvrlj Apr 19, 2009 at 2:35 AM

Yverdon seems to be very nice place. Unfortunately, we have missed it last summer. We'll not next time. Thanks for photos&tips (especially because you are the only one to share something about this little town). Best regards, I&V
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HappyDolphin Sep 12, 2003 at 4:57 PM

The spa looks so inviting
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traveldave Jun 15, 2003 at 1:11 PM

A nice page with interesting historical information. The menhirs look fascinating.
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ACanadian Jun 11, 2003 at 6:58 PM

Swiss Stonehenge?..Cool