6 great things to do in Vaud this year

Sporting eyes will be on Vaud this year, particularly when it comes to cycling. After two stages of the Tour de France took place around the canton in July, there’s yet-more top-class cycling to look forward to in October, when the first edition of the Tour de Romandie for women (the Tour de Romandie Féminin) takes place as part of the UCI Women’s World Tour. If all that pedal power inspires you, there are plenty of cycle routes around Vaud for mere mortals, too, whatever your ability level. Grab a bike and start zooming – or dawdling – past lakes, mountains, vineyards and beautiful countryside.

Those seeking cultural enlightenment should head straight to Plateforme 10, Lausanne’s new arts district. This new area is an amalgamation of Musée cantonal des Beaux-Arts (MCBA), the Photo Elysée photography museum, and the mudac (museum of contemporary design and applied arts). Visitors to this lively new district can look forward to a joint exhibition from all three museums on the subject of railways until September 25 (a nod to Plateforme 10’s location directly next to Lausanne’s train station), as well as MCBA’s extensive permanent collection encompassing over 200 works, an exhibition on nature and environmental issues at the mudac, and much more besides.

Christmas is coming early to Vaud this year, on December 11, in fact, when the GoldenPass Express line launches. Much-anticipated and having been planned and built over more than 100 years, the line links Montreux and Interlaken, meaning that Lake Geneva and the Lake Brienz and Lake Thun regions will finally be connected by a direct train. And what a train it’ll be: designed by acclaimed Italian designer Pininfarina and boasting panoramic carriages, alongside 1st and 2nd class, plus a Prestige class area if you want to go all-out.

Hard as it might be to believe, there’s more to wine than ‘just’ drinking it. See for yourself at the Maison Lavaux exhibition, hosted in the grand Maison Buttin-de-Loës in Grandvaux. This historic vineyard is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers visitors the chance to learn about the art of winemaking in an exhibition. Running until October 30, the exhibition is divided into three themes, dealing with the geographical landscape of the vineyard, the human aspect of the winemaking process, and finally examining a cross-section of the artisans who have produced wine at the vineyard over the years. Once you’ve finished at the exhibition, don’t miss Buttin-de-Loës’s beautiful gardens, providing fantastic views of both Lake Geneva and the Alps.

Transport yourself into the world of ‘The Kid’, the timeless Charlie Chaplin film released in 1921 that tells the moving story of an abandoned child who goes on to be raised by Chaplin. This unique experience takes place at Chaplin’s World, a museum in Corsier-sur-Vevey honouring the iconic actor, where an immersive exhibition lets visitors walk through a setting full of lanterns and décor themed around the early 1900s. Through four exhibition spaces, visitors also gain an invaluable insight into Chaplin’s own childhood (which influenced the film), as well as his role as a father later in life, revealing far more to the man who many know only for slapstick comedy. This special exhibition is included in the standard admission price of a Chaplin’s World ticket.

The watchmakers at Audemars Piguet know a thing or two about creating the perfect timepiece, because they’ve been doing it for over 145 years. Trace this journey through an immersive experience at the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet in the village of Le Brassus, set in the heart of Vaud’s share of the magnificent Jura Mountains. The museum houses 300 watches for display, showcasing mind-boggling levels of miniaturisation and technical complexity, including some seriously rare models – but the most impressive thing on display is actually the watchmaking process itself. Transparent workshops allow visitors to see artisans at work, practicing traditional techniques handed down from generation to generation. The museum building is another work of art due to a striking contemporary architectural design, encompassing rolling curves and extensive glass panels. It’s a suitably spectacular home for the exquisite work taking place inside.