We offer different exciting and entertaining activities for groups. Our guided tours on different topics can be adapted to any age group and to your individual interests. Furthermore, we invite you to prolong your visit with a degustation of wine, beer, regional specialties, or meals at one of our local partners’ establishments. Discover the different topics of our guided tours and our special offers for adults, children, and school groups.
Guided tours are warmly recommended for groups and need to be booked a minimum of 7 days ahead of the chosen date.
The number of participants is limited to 25 people per guide. Larger groups will be divided into smaller groups with individual guides which visit the Abbey Church simultaneously.
Only the official guides of the Abbey Church of Payerne are allowed to conduct guided tours in the building.
To book your guided tour, you can come and see us at the Abbey Church’s reception, call us on the number 026 662 67 04 or write an e-mail to .
Guided tour of the Abbey Church and its discovery tour
This tour of the Abbey church is based on the immersive and interactive tour and highlights the history of the building and the site. Thanks to the scenography, the Abbey Church appears in a new light. Discover the different construction phases and decorative elements of the building as well as the story of the people connected to the site, especially the Cluniac monks.
Duration: 1h15
Guided tour of the Abbey Church with a focus on Adelaide and the geopolitics of the 10th century
Only in 2024
This topical visit of the Abbey Church and the historical centre focuses on the emblematic figure of the empress Adelaide and the role she and her family played in the foundation of the monastery of Payerne. Stepping beyond the boundaries of the city, this guided tour offers insights into 10th century Europe and its political stakes.
Duration: 1h15
Guided tour of the Abbey Church with a focus on architecture and decoration
This topical visit of the Abbey Church focuses on its architectural and artistic aspects. It pays special attention to the construction phases, murals, and capitals, highlighting the recent restoration work and the associated technical innovations.
Duration: 1h15
Guided tour of the Abbey Church with a spiritual orientation
This topical visit of the Abbey Church focuses on the history of the thousand-year-old building and monastery, its links to Cluny, the life of the monks in the Abbey Church as well as the symbolism of the painted and sculpted decoration of this thousand-year-old building.
Duration: 1h15
Guided tour around Payerne’s organs, comprising a tour of the Abbey Church, the Parish Church, and two discovery concerts
This musical tour offers the opportunity to discover the similarities and particularly the differences between the two churches of the historical site as well as the two Ahrend organs located within them. After a historical comment, the organist Benoît Zimmermann will play two discovery concerts. Listen to the two emblematic instruments and discover the distinct sound universes.
Duration: 1h15
Guided tour of the historical centre, comprising the Abbey Church, Parish Church, and the old town hall
This guided tour offers insights into the emblematic monuments of the historical centre, drawing a parallel between the Abbey Church, whose access was restricted to the monks, and the Parish Church, frequented by laypeople. The visit of the otherwise inaccessible town hall provides the opportunity to discover the major changes linked to the Reform in 1536.
Duration: 1h30
Special offers
Groups
For groups, we offer guided tours with the abovementioned the topics.
You can also prolong your experience at the Abbey Church site thanks to combined offers with our partners:
- Small concert to discover the organ
- Wine tasting, classic aperitif, or dinner aperitif at the Cave de l’Abbatiale
- Tour of the Brasserie Artisanale Broyarde and beer tasting
- Breakfast or gourmet break at the Café du Marché or at the La-Suite Hôtel Café & Restaurant
- Meal at the restaurant La Scala
- Initiation to golf
- Night at the La-Suite Hôtel Café & Restaurant
You can find the details of our offers in the brochure below.
Children
We organize birthday parties in the exceptional setting of the Abbey Church site for children between 6 and 12 years of age. The program comprises a tale-guided tour “Trailing queen Bertha” and a creative workshop.
Duration: 1h00
Price: CHF 8.- per child + CHF 140.- for the guided tour and workshop
It is possible to rent our room Art’Lab for the birthday party for a supplement of CHF 50.-.
Maximum number of participants: 12 children and 2 supervisors
Book at least 7 days in advance.
Schools
For schools, we can organize guided tours adapted to the students’ level and the annual lesson plan.
We also offer topical guided tours and workshops:
- Tale-guided tour “Trailing queen Bertha” and creative workshop (primary)
- Guided tour and “sculpt your own capital” workshop with soap (primary and secondary I)
- Guided tour for history and art history courses (secondary I and II)
- Guided tour for medieval literature courses (secondary II)
School groups need to be supervised by a responsible teacher, who is exempt of entry fees. Possible other supervisors pay the group entry price to the Abbey Church.
