End of the 2nd-3rd century
Long before the construction of the Abbey Church, the hill of the historical centre was occupied by a Roman villa, the Villa Paterniaca. The complex was built during the late 2nd or 3rd century by a family from Avenches, the Paterni, who gave their name to the city of Payerne. The buildings’ stones were likely used for the construction of the Abbey Church.
![](https://www.abbatiale-payerne.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2es.jpg)
![](https://www.abbatiale-payerne.ch/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/villa-romaine.png)