Cossonay: Old Town, Nature and Culture

A stay in Cossonay is shaped by the Étang du Sépey nature reserve and a diverse cultural offering. Between historic buildings, a wetland rich in wildlife and events across a range of disciplines, you can tailor your stay to your interests.

Old Town and Architectural History

Cossonay’s old town is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites (ISOS) and is recognized as a small town of national importance. Guided tours introduce visitors to its architecture, anecdotes and history, as well as stories of former residents. Public tours of the old town and the Temple de Cossonay take place twice a year: on a Saturday morning in spring and another in autumn. They last more than an hour and offer the opportunity to climb the bell tower and take in views of the town and its surroundings. Check the dates before your visit.

Individual buildings also offer a glimpse into different eras. The neoclassical Maison de Ville is a town hall building of the town hall-market hall type and was built between 1826 and 1831. The monumental limestone fountain dates from 1779. The Temple de Cossonay was built between the 11th and 12th centuries and features Cluniac influences. Its furnishings include eight stained-glass windows by the glass artist Louis Rivier, dating from the 1920s. The Temple has been listed as a Swiss cultural property of national importance since 1900.

Étang du Sépey and Genius Loci

The Étang du Sépey nature reserve, a nationally important amphibian breeding site, lies within the municipality. It is home to 14 of the 18 amphibian species recorded in Switzerland, as well as more than 100 different bird species and 30 mammal species. The reserve covers 5.4 hectares. Its two ponds cover a total of 2.4 hectares. These figures describe both the size of the area and the special importance of its wetland habitats.

The Étang du Sépey also has an industrial history: it was created after a clay pit supplying the Cossonay brickworks was abandoned around 1920. The Genius Loci network offers another window into local history. It comprises 20 QR-code medallions distributed throughout the municipality. Among other things, the project presents the history of silk farming, which developed in Cossonay between 1691 and 1800.

Culture, Cinema and Swimming Pool

Since 1991, the Théâtre du Pré-aux-Moines has presented around 20 professional Swiss performances each year from October to May. The program includes comedy, dance, improvisation, musicals, theatre and music, among other things. The amateur theatre group Les Tréteaux de Cossonay produces one or two shows a year. The Cossonay music school also holds concerts, recitals and joint projects throughout the year. Check the relevant program for current performance and concert dates.

Cossonay’s cinema was founded in 1896 and has been screening films since the beginning of the 20th century. It has 156 seats, digital sound and a bar; several free parking spaces are nearby. As visitor information of this kind can change, check the latest details in advance.

Les Chavannes swimming pool has a competition-standard swimming pool measuring 25 × 13.50 metres, with five lanes and a depth of 2 metres. There is also a 13 × 6 metre teaching pool with an adjustable floor and a variable depth of up to 1.35 metres. Check the current operating conditions before your visit.

Getting Around and Excursions

A funicular dating from 1897 connects Cossonay-Ville with Penthalaz-Cossonay railway station. MBC route 2003 connects Cossonay-Ville and Cossonay-Penthalaz with the funicular. For fare planning: Cossonay is in Mobilis zone 39; the funicular ride between Cossonay and Penthalaz crosses two fare zones. Timetables and fare information can change, so check the latest details from MBC and Mobilis before travelling.

Point i in Cossonay sells public transport tickets and rents electric bikes. As these visitor services can change, confirm availability in advance. If you are planning a longer route, you can follow the Via Francigena stage from Cossonay to Lausanne: it is 26 kilometres long and takes about six hours and 20 minutes. The starting point is approximately 700 metres above sea level. From the high plateau, the path first descends more than 100 metres towards Cossonay-Penthalaz. The route therefore takes considerably longer than a walk around the old town; check the latest route information before setting off.

Hotel in Cossonay

Hôtel Le Funi is located at the upper station of the funicular between Cossonay-Gare and Cossonay-Ville. It has 16 rooms, including one specially equipped for guests with reduced mobility. The terrace offers panoramic views of the Swiss and French Alps. Check the latest information on rooms and facilities before booking; if you plan to visit the terrace, confirm access in advance.

Discover more destinations: Cossonay, Lausanne, Aubonne, Broye-Vully, Yverdon, Oron, Nyon, Gros-De-Vaud.

For the overall travel overview: Vaud.