Saint-Livres: Hiking Trails and Village History

Saint-Livres combines hiking trails with a village steeped in history and a riverside landscape.

Hiking along the Aubonne

The Au Fil de l’Aubonne nature trail connects Bière with Aubonne along the Aubonne River. Information panels provide details about nature and local history. The route is 8.2 km long, takes about two hours and is considered easy. You can reach the trail from Bière railway station by train via the MBC, or from the Aubonne bus station. Check current connections before travelling.

For a longer walk, the 20 km Col du Marchairuz–Aubonne route passes through Bière and Saint-Livres on its way to Aubonne. Seasonal conditions may affect use of the route, and local conditions may affect the actual walking time. Another hiking connection leads via Chigny, Denens, Yens and Saint-Livres to Aubonne. The church of Saint-Livres is worth a visit along this route; access may be subject to separate arrangements.

The Chemin du Vallon de l’Aubonne brings together a variety of landscapes: fields and forests along the Aubonne, vineyards above Lake Geneva and the extensive parks of the arboretum. Yellow waymarkers point towards the arboretum, Saint-Livres and Yens railway station. West of Saint-Livres lies the mostly forested Vallon de l’Aubonne; some meadows are excluded from the perimeter of the Arboretum du Vallon de l’Aubonne. The Vallon de l’Aubonne is part of the Arboretum du Vallon de l’Aubonne perimeter, with the exception of some meadows.

The Arboretum and its surroundings

The Arboretum du Vallon de l’Aubonne can be reached from Allaman CFF station by PostBus via Aubonne, Montherod or Saint-Livres; connections may change. The arboretum offers guided tours, discovery trails and activities for families, children and schools. Dates may also change.

The Glacière de Saint-Livres is in the area around Saint-Livres, not in the village itself. It lies on the Pré de Saint-Livres pasture in the municipality of Bière, at an altitude of 1,362 metres on the southern slope of Mont-Tendre. A visit is possible only with suitable caving equipment and sufficient speleology experience.

Village history and character

The name Saint-Livres comes from Saint Libère, pope from 352 to 366, to whom the first church was dedicated. The earliest written records of the village date from 1259. Between 1453 and 1457, a landslide partially swept away Saint-Livres from the hill on which it had been built. The present-day church was consecrated on 8 October 1457 at the village’s current location.

Most of the communal and representative buildings are grouped around a central garden. Several fountains add character to the streets, including the covered Fontaine des Lessiveuses. A former dairy and cheese-making facility dates from 1910. Alongside the hiking trails, these architectural and historical features give a visit to the village a distinctive focus.

Vineyard slopes and local connections

The lower part of Saint-Livres is home to a well-sunned vineyard slope covering 28.5 hectares. Some winegrowers offer bottles with Saint-Livres labels. Together with the trails through fields and forests and along the rivers, this makes for a stay where you can choose between landscapes and village history.

Discover more destinations: Chigny Vd, Allaman, Morges, Etoy, Bière, Clarmont, Denens, Cuarnens

Go to the main travel overview: Morges.