Yverdon-les-Bains ; 36 Hours of Relaxation and Culture

Yverdon-les-Bains nestles at the southern tip of Lake Neuchâtel. During a thirty-six-hour stay, the town reveals all its charm through varied activities.

Yverdon-les-Bains ; A Rich and Varied Heritage

Often just a place to pass through, the town nevertheless deserves a longer stay. Thanks to the tourist office Jura & Trois-Lacs, it can be discovered from another angle. On the programme: two days of activities, wellbeing and eclectic gastronomy.

Guided Tour and Gourmet Break

The stay begins in the morning with a guided tour of the town. For an hour and a half, a passionate guide tells the history and culture of Yverdon. Street by street, his knowledge reveals a town often known only on the surface.

The castle, the historic facades and the clock mark out the route. The heritage proves rich and varied, and time flies by.

Built around 1260 by Peter of Savoy, the castle still dominates the town centre. In the early 19th century, the educator Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi set up his famous institute there. Pupils and teachers from all over Europe then flocked to discover his methods. His statue now stands on the square that bears his name, facing the Town Hall. As early as Roman times, the settlement of Eburodunum occupied the lakeshore.

After this cultural moment, it is time for indulgence. The Gerber Wyss bakery and chocolate shop welcomes visitors for a sweet break. A hot chocolate and a pastry make a delicious dessert. This warm, indulgent moment almost makes you want to stay all afternoon.

Explorit ; A Cultural and Fun Centre

TimeMachine by Henigma

The afternoon begins with a perfect mix of sport and brainwork. On the top floor of the Explorit building hides a retro-futuristic game space. TimeMachine by Henigma plunges players into an adventure where time seems to stand still. Intrigue and twists mingle in a friendly atmosphere.

For an hour, you need to use your intellectual and physical abilities to solve puzzles. Challenges follow one another in small rooms, in the spirit of Fort Boyard. This life-size game delights friends, families and fans of playful moments.

The Explorit building is also worth a visit. It houses a cinema, a bar, a science space and a corner for younger visitors. The other part of the complex is more business-oriented, including a clinic.

Yverdon-les-Bains ; Between Tuscany and Fine Dining

Back in the town centre, the Hôtel du Théâtre welcomes guests for the night. Renovated between 2015 and 2016, this charming establishment is one of a kind. With its orange walls, its inner courtyard evokes the warmth of Tuscany. The classic-style room proves efficient. Its beautiful bathroom has a walk-in shower.

The evening continues at the Gerber Wyss restaurant, in the Town Hall building. It is run by the same family as the chocolate shop. Fine dining takes centre stage in a warm, welcoming room. For more than two hours, a seven-course menu unfolds.

Each plate is presented precisely by the dining room team. Some products are shown raw, in their purest form. This original idea reveals the incredible work done in the kitchen. Each dish is savoured with particular attention.

Then back to the hotel for a restful night.

Yverdon-les-Bains ; Relaxation and Culture

The Yverdon Baths

The second day begins at the town’s thermal centre. An early visit lets you discover the place in peace. The establishment is simple and efficient. The warm water of the two outdoor pools proves invigorating. On the first floor, the Japanese baths offer a delightful surprise for body and mind. Three hours are barely enough to enjoy the thermal water and let go.

Known since Roman times, the Yverdon-les-Bains spring flows naturally rich in sulphur and minerals. Its virtues have attracted spa-goers for centuries and gave the town its name. Today, the thermal centre combines indoor and outdoor pools, treatment areas and relaxation zones. Enjoying the outdoor pools in winter, between cold air and warm water, remains a particularly pleasant experience.

Still at the thermal centre, the La Rotonde bar-restaurant invites a good meal. The intimate, warm place has a French charm. The cooking is indulgent. A generously poured Cosmopolitan nicely accompanies the meal.

The Maison d’Ailleurs

The stay ends at the Maison d’Ailleurs. Founded in 1976, this large building houses a museum of science fiction, utopia and extraordinary voyages.

Its founder, Pierre Versins, was a great collector and science fiction specialist. The museum now occupies a former prison in the heart of the old town. Its Espace Jules Verne pays tribute to the author of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. Old books, engravings and objects trace the world of extraordinary voyages.

The museum presents temporary exhibitions that are one of a kind. During the visit, the Transformation! exhibition drew a parallel between the real world and that of superheroes. Eleven artists had been invited to take part. A one-hour guided tour lets you fully immerse yourself in this immersive scenography.

Planning a Stay in Yverdon-les-Bains

From Lausanne, the train reaches Yverdon-les-Bains in about twenty minutes. Most of the stay’s addresses can then be reached on foot from the station. Along Lake Neuchâtel, a walk also leads to the Clendy menhirs, several thousand years old. Further on, the Grande Cariçaie nature reserve is home to many birds. Booking the thermal centre and the gourmet restaurant in advance lets you make the most of the thirty-six hours.

Thus ends this thirty-six-hour immersion in a charming, eclectic town. The Jura & Trois-Lacs website presents many other activities in the region, all year round. For another stay in the region, the article Choc’o’Clock ; Between Watches and Chocolate (in French) is also worth discovering.

Find the addresses of this stay in Yverdon-les-Bains on this map

Yverdon-les-Bains

Article produced as part of a paid partnership with the tourist office Jura & Trois-Lacs. Thanks to Jennifer for the organisation.