Sharing a meal, raising a glass, and discovering unexpected flavors… Sometimes it doesn’t take much to feel like you’re somewhere else. What if escaping reality were as simple as what’s on your plate? That’s certainly what we’re offering you here 😉
With its alpine pastures on the Jura ridges, vineyards overlooking Lake Neuchâtel, and carefully tended farmland, Northern Vaud offers a surprisingly rich terroir. Over the course of a gourmet weekend, you can explore the region through its alpine chalets, passionate winemakers, and lakeside restaurants.
During your weekend in the region, we suggest you start your Saturday with a trip to the market in Yverdon-les-Bains. There, you’ll discover fresh produce from local farmers, with colorful stalls overflowing with fruits, vegetables, and other delicious items. It’s the perfect way to start your day on a leisurely note—enjoy a cup of coffee in downtown Yverdon-les-Bains and check out the many bakeries in the heart of the old town 🥐
After your trip to the market (or not, for that matter, if you prefer to sleep in 🥱), Saturday morning is the perfect time to discover regional wines. Typically, the winemakers’ cellars are open until noon, or even 1 p.m. for some, which is ideal for tasting and discovering the wines of the Côtes de l’Orbe or Bonvillars 🍷. With over twenty wineries to visit, you’ll have plenty to choose from—here are a few suggestions:
Bernard Gauthey Estate, Arnex-sur-Orbe
Cave Mirabilis, Agiez
Cave du Château de Valeyres, Valeyres-sous-Rances
Bonvillars Winemakers’ Winery, Bonvillars
Domaine de Gourmandaz, Corcelles-près-Concise
Cousin Vineyard, Concise
After your morning explorations, a lakeside restaurant near Grandson is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing meal featuring local specialties—especially to savor perch fillets from Lake Neuchâtel, for example at the Cercle de la Voile.
After leaving the table, it’ll be the perfect time to take a little time for yourself to recharge. A post-meal stroll along the lake, a bike ride, or a cultural outing—there are plenty of options to choose from while you let your food settle. As for us, we’ll be taking a nap on our beach towel near Yvonand, with its Mediterranean vibe.
For food lovers, this late afternoon might be the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to a little something sweet and pick up some souvenirs while browsing the La Ferme store in Yverdon-les-Bains or La Fabrique in Champagne, known in particular for its “coeurs de France.” And if you didn’t have time to explore the regional wines this morning, the Maison des Terroirs in Grandson offers a chance to sample various wines from the Bonvillars AOC, as well as other regional products. A gourmet haven with a magnificent, well-stocked selection of products. Exactly the kind of place where you’ll want to buy everything.
😎 On Sunday morning, when you wake up, we suggest you put on your best hiking gear and head up into the hills. Just a few minutes by car or train from the valley, you can reach the Jura ridges, where the views are breathtaking and various hiking trails let you marvel at the natural surroundings. Aside from the views, we’re also highlighting the Jura ridges for their culinary delights, featuring the iconic alpine chalets. True testaments to living local traditions—where shepherds tend both their livestock and these summer refreshment stands—you’ll discover authentic, rural, and welcoming places where simplicity goes hand in hand with excellence.
With a wide variety of cheese-based specialties—such as fondues, cheese-topped pastries, cheese fritters, and pan-fried tommes—the menus at these various mountain restaurants ⛰️ invite you to discover local products. In addition to these dishes, the menu highlights local cured meats and other cured delicacies, homemade desserts, and the unique specialties of each chalet. Here are some recommended chalets where you can discover these various specialties:
After this wonderful immersion in the region of Northern Vaud, all that’s left is to enjoy the fresh Jura air a little longer before heading back home.
👉🏼 What if happiness weren’t found in the simple things, like a gourmet getaway to Northern Vaud?
Late May to September (mountain pasture refreshment stands open, mild weather)