The Association du site de l’Abbatiale de Payerne (ASAP) unveils the highlights of its 2026 cultural season, a richer program than ever, announcing a particularly dynamic year!
The season opens in spring with the exhibition « A Glimpse into the Collections: Storage, Restoration, Exhibition » (20 March – 21 June 2026). This exhibition highlights the work of the Broye painter Victor de Mestral Combremont, featuring around twenty paintings presented to the public for the first time since entering the museum collections. It also sheds light on conservation and restoration practices, revealing the gestures and methods that preserve the artworks.
The Abbey Church participates for the first time in the Museum Night of the Canton of Fribourg (9 May 2026). Visitors are invited to explore the history and architecture of the monument through play, in a fun and accessible way.
The program continues in summer with a sensory trail for families (1 July – 30 August), as well as the return of the Opéra de l’Impératrice (10–19 July 2026), featuring six performances of Handel’s “Ottone, re di Germania” in the Abbey Church courtyard.
A highlight of the year, the third edition of « De Vert et d’Art » will take place from 24 to 27 September 2026 in the historic center of Payerne. This biennial event, unique in Romandy, brings together architectural heritage, works from the museum collections, and ephemeral plant creations. The Abbey Church, the castle courtyard, and the market square will be involved; the event mobilizes a wide network of participants – florists, gardeners, schools, and local partners – and establishes itself as a unifying meeting point, attracting a large and diverse audience from the region and beyond.
For the first time, the season extends into winter with the exhibition of contemporary works « L’Abbatiale vue par 181 Degrés » (30 October 2026 – 21 February 2027), designed in partnership with the Payerne cultural center 181 Degrés. This exhibition invites regional artists to draw inspiration from the Abbey Church to create original works. Created especially for this occasion, these works offer multiple and sensitive perspectives on the site, providing both artists and the regional public with the opportunity to reclaim or (re)discover this monument.
