Nyon: Roman history, museums and trails along the Boiron

Nyon lies on the shores of Lake Geneva and is the seat of the Nyon district. There are different ways to plan your stay: you can focus on museums and historic buildings, or explore paths through meadows and along the Boiron. This lets you plan your days according to whether you are especially interested in history and collections or in outdoor routes.

Roman heritage and museums

The Musée du Léman explores the natural and human history of Lake Geneva. Its collection has been recognised as being of national importance since 2021. Large aquariums, everyday objects, historical records and memorabilia convey different aspects of the lake’s history. An authentic steam engine and digital installations complement the exhibition. Natural history and historical themes sit side by side, rather than limiting the focus to just one aspect of the lake’s history.

The building itself also has a history: the Musée du Léman was founded in 1954 in Nyon’s former hospital. The hospital was built between 1756 and 1758. If you are interested in the city’s development, the building itself offers a historical connection in addition to the exhibition content.

The Musée romain de Nyon offers a different focus. Its exhibition combines ancient remains, models and immersive digital installations. The museum is built on the foundations of the Forum Basilica, discovered in 1974. Nyon’s Roman amphitheatre is one of eight structures of this type discovered in Switzerland; it is also classified as a monument of national importance. The museum and amphitheatre thus offer two different ways to explore the Roman past: archaeological remains and a historic structure.

“Amphithéâtre?” at the Musée romain de Nyon is scheduled to run from 31 May 2024 to 10 January 2027. If you would like to plan your stay around this exhibition, check the exhibition dates in advance.

The Château de Nyon adds its own architectural history to these historic sites. It originated as a fortified house built by the Cossonay-Prangins family in the mid-12th century. Extensive construction work between 1574 and 1583 gave the château its current appearance. Temporary exhibitions featuring photography and contemporary art are also held at the château. Roman columns on the esplanade recall the city’s Roman past; from there, you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.

Trails along the Boiron and through the countryside

For running and walking, the city has created five routes, which can be done with or without poles. They range from 2.7 to 8.7 kilometres, start at the Centre sportif de Colovray and pass through fields and along the edge of the forest. The different lengths give you a practical guide when deciding whether to include a shorter or longer route in your plans. These distances alone do not indicate a walking time or a particular level of difficulty.

The Sentier du Boiron offers a distinct landscape experience: it follows the River Boiron, passing through flowering meadows and by pollarded trees. If you like to make time for the outdoors during your stay, the descriptions of the five city routes and the Sentier du Boiron differ: the former offer a choice of distances, while the latter describes a specific succession of river, meadows and trees.

Getting there and planning your days

The Musée romain de Nyon is about a 10-minute walk from Nyon railway station. Nyon is connected to the Swiss transport network by the Route Suisse, the A1 motorway and rail links along the Arc Lémanique. The approximate walking time refers to the route from the station to the Musée romain; it is not a general distance guide to the city’s other attractions.

You can therefore explore Nyon according to a range of specific interests: focus on the collections and historic buildings, compare the lengths of the city routes or make the trail along the Boiron a distinct part of your itinerary. The details provided can help you organise your stay around the subjects that genuinely interest you.

Discover more destinations: Arzier, Vinzel, Le Vaud, Saint-George, Gilly, Vich, Chavannes-De-Bogis, Essertines-Sur-Rolle.

Go to the main travel overview: Nyon.