Aigle: Château, vineyards and Old Town

Aigle can be discovered from different perspectives: the Château and Old Town tell the story of the town, while vineyards, cycling and routes through the countryside add further dimensions. Regional products are also part of the visitor experience. You can tailor your stay to the themes that interest you most.

The Château and the history of winegrowing

The Château d’Aigle dates from the late 12th century and houses the Musée de la vigne, du vin, de l’étiquette. Its collections are divided into five themes: winegrowing, visual arts and depictions, wine drinking, the winegrower and their work, and wine labels. The museum’s perspective therefore ranges from cultivation to the images and symbols associated with wine. The Château also hosts numerous temporary exhibitions; the programme may change. The castle itself is surrounded by vineyard terraces.

Vineyards and Chasselas

Aigle’s winegrowing area lies between the Alps and Lake Geneva and covers approximately 135 hectares. The vineyards stretch across steep slopes and terraces, offering views of the surrounding mountains. Chasselas is the area’s characteristic grape variety. Aigle’s wine cellars offer a wide range of wine-tasting opportunities, although specific visitor offerings may change. For a broader exploration of Chablais, the Sentier des vignes connects the region’s finest vineyards and major tourist attractions.

Old Town and exhibitions

As you stroll through the Old Town, you’ll discover the arcades of Rue Jérusalem, as well as fountains and sculptures. The Cloître district is one of Aigle’s oldest inhabited areas. Another place for art and culture is Espace Graffenried, which hosts temporary exhibitions in a renovated former town hall dating from the 16th century. The exhibitions are free of charge, and guided tours are available to the public. As programmes and visitor offerings may change, it is advisable to check the latest information about tours in advance.

Hiking, trails and cycling

Summer hiking trails lead from the Old Town’s historic lanes to sunny ridges above the Rhône Valley. Several signposted routes for hiking, Nordic walking, running and mountain biking start in the Glariers sports area. Distances range from 2 to 40 kilometres; individual routes may change. Another way to explore Aigle on foot is the Balade des arbres remarquables. It starts at the tourist office and leads to 22 remarkable trees.

The UCI World Cycling Centre offers visits for independent exploration or with a guide. A permanent exhibition showcases bicycles from various cycling disciplines. Guided tours also include a walk through the sports facilities. If you are planning a guided tour or visit, check the latest visitor information.

Regional products and getting there

A tour of the Hugo-Reitzel factory shows you how cornichons, pearl onions, mustard and other products from Aigle are made. The visit ends with a tasting of Reitzel products at the HUGO Shop. Booking conditions for this tour may change, so check the current offer in advance.

You can reach Aigle from Lausanne by train in about half an hour. By car, Aigle is accessible via exit 17, Aigle, on the A9 motorway. As journey times and timetables may vary, it is worth checking the latest connections before setting off.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Aigle, Barboleusaz, Villars-Sur-Ollon, Leysin, Gryon, Villeneuve Vd, Bex, Les Mosses, Corbeyrier, Ollon Vd, Ormont-Dessous, Ormont-Dessus, Roche Vd, Lavey-Morcles, Yvorne, Chessel, Lavey-Les-Bains.

To the main travel overview: Vaud.