From 31 March to 21 May 2023: exhibition “A look at the collections: The Abbey church as seen by artists”.
As the emblematic silhouette of the town of Payerne, the Abbey Church has fascinated and inspired generations of artists. From 31 March, the Site de l’Abbatiale will be presenting 17 works from its collections, bearing witness not only to the building’s transformations, but also to the changing way in which it has been viewed from the 19th century to the present day.
Works by Jean-Claude Juriens, Frédérik Vauthey, André Vuilleumier, Aimée Rapin, Georges Borgeaud, Jacques Perrenoud, Ric Berger and others reveal an Abbey that is constantly reinventing itself, under the gaze of those who observe it.
A visit to the exhibition is included in the price of admission to the site.
31 March 2023: Opening of the temporary exhibition
The public opening of the exhibition will take place on Thursday 30 March at 6pm in the Art Lab room (access from the courtyard of the Château), in the presence of deaf artist Frédérik Vauthey. Accompanied by a sign language interpreter, he will talk about how he came up with the idea of dedicating a comic strip from his monumental Histoire des sourds illustrée to the Payerne Abbey Church.
The event will be followed by an aperitif. Admission free, registration requested by e-mail to or by telephone during opening hours on 026 662 67 04, until 23 March.
12 and 13 May 2023: live restoration of a model of the Abbey Church
Preparations for the temporary exhibition have led to the rediscovery of a monumental model of the Abbey Church, designed in 1975 by the tinsmith Jules Vonnez, the same craftsman who made the cockerel at the top of the Abbey Church bell tower in 1956. The restoration of this model by art restorer Luis Ricard will take place in the Art Lab room (access from the courtyard of the Château), in full view of the public. Open to allFriday 12 May and Saturday 13 May (precise times to be announced on the website on 17 April).
Free admission to the event
Guided tour of the Abbey church and temporary exhibition (tours in French)
Every 2nd Sunday of the month, a special guided tour of the Abbey Church is organised, giving visitors the opportunity to discover the history and architecture of the site, with a thematic or unusual focus, or in connection with current exhibitions. The May tour will include a presentation of the exhibition “L’Abbatiale vue par les artistes”.
Open to all
Sunday 14 May, 3.00pm (duration 1h15)
Price: adults CHF 16.00 / concessions CHF 14.00 / children (aged 6-16) CHF 10.00 / Payerne residents and other season ticket holders CHF 10.00 on presentation of their annual season ticket. Access to the Abbey Church and the discovery trail included for the day. Other prices and promotional offers are not valid for this visit.
Information and registration by e-mail at or by telephone on 026 662 67 04. Maximum 20 people per tour.
