130 Balade œnotouristique de Morges Région

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HenriGolan

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Trail stats

Distance: 8.4 mi
Elevation gain: 344 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 561 ft
Max elevation: 1,635 ft
TrailRank: 19
Min elevation: 1,222 ft
Trail type: One Way

Coordinates: 217
Uploaded: November 24, 2019
Recorded: November 2019

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near Vufflens-le-Château, Canton de Vaud (Switzerland)

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Itinerary description

Du Château de Vufflens au Château de Morges, ce parcours en deux parties –dans les villages viticoles et au cœur de la ville médiévale – vous démontrera la richesse de cette région de La Côte AOC, ainsi que toute la saveur des crus du plus grand vignoble du canton de Vaud.
Référence : Morges et région, Slow tourisme

Waypoints

swiss fountains

In the 19th century, the public fountain was often the only place where villagers could obtain water to drink, wash clothes and clean. Fountains played a major part in village life because women and children made their way to them every morning and evening. Responsibility for these water sources was entrusted to the "fontainiers" or fountain superintendents, who limited the time allocated for cleaning tasks so as to guarantee that water for drinking would remain clean. Most of the region's fountains date back to the mid-19th century. They all feature the same design with large, low basins to provide easy access for watering the animals and for cleaning work. When drinking water became available in households towards the end of the 19th century, the fountains ceased to be public utilities and instead, became much-appreciated decorative monuments.

Parking Pont-Neuf / Les Charpentiers car parks

For the "Les Charpentiers" oder Pont-Neuf car park you pay at the exit when you leave the car park.

Departure station for the train MBC

There is usually a MBC train once per hour during the week, and once every two hours on Sunday. The journey lasts 6 minutes and you alight at the fifth stop, "Le Marais" station, which is just after the "Vufflens-le-Château" station.

L’Ermitage gourmet restaurant - 1 Michelin star

Excellence in every respect combined with a friendly family ambience: that sums up Bernard Ravet's L’Ermitage restaurant. With a score of 19/20 in the famous Gault Millau guide, L’Ermitage is a mecca of fine dining in Switzerland. Langoustines and garden-fresh vegetables, white truffles and home-baked bread, complemented perfectly by the region's best wines: Bernard Ravet's table offers fresh and simple ingredients transformed into outstanding dishes. L’Ermitage is a family enterprise and the impeccable service reflects this. The Ravet family pass on their passion for the culinary arts by offering lunch menus at affordable prices (served from Wednesday to Friday), cookery workshops and special menus designed for families, served at Saturday lunchtime. L’Ermitage offers 6 bedrooms and 3 suites in a listed historical building set amid 6000 m2 of idyllic parkland.

Temple of Vufflens-le-Château

The Temple of Vufflens-le-Château was built in 1864 on the site of the former church, which could not be restored. The only remnant of the old church is one of the two bells dating from the 15th century. In those days, before the Protestant reformation, most of the inhabitants of the Pays de Vaud belonged to the Catholic faith. The bell's age and an inscription – Sanctre Petre, ora pro nobis (Saint Peter, pray for us) – lend it a unique character. An enlarged reproduction of the engraving can be viewed at the rear of the Temple.

Wines from the House of Bolle

The Domaine du Plessis at Vufflens-le-Château, owned by the Bolle family, welcomes you to taste its wines. The Domaine du Plessis at Vufflens-le-Château forms part of the prestigious heritage of the House of Bolle, which was founded in 1865. Chasselas, Gamay, Pinot Noir, Gamaret, Garanoir and Chardonnay: Bolle grows all these varieties of white and red grapes on the six hectares of clay-limestone soil that make up the domain. Discover them all on the spot, where tastings are held every Tuesday. If you like very subtle white wines with a long mineral finish, Chasselas is ideal for you. Lovers of fruity red wines will be enchanted by the Pinot Noir that is matured in oak barrels. As well as the Domaine du Plessis, the House of Bolle operates the Château de Vufflens vineyard and the Domaine de Sarraux-Dessous in the commune of Begnins. A total of 44 hectares of vineyards are cultivated in compliance with environmental standards and on the basis of integrated production. Experts at the House of Bolle also share their passion for wine at "La Licorne", a wine centre at Morges where over 500 vintages from all over the world are on sale.

Home-made jams

Marie-Françoise Delapierre sets out a small selection at the front door of her house, next to the chicken coop: she sells her jams just as in olden days – customers serve themselves. Traditional recipes and orchard-fresh fruits: these are the ingredients of her home-made jams. Apples, pears, quinces, vineyard peaches, Mirabelle plums and raspberries … no less than 22 fruit trees leave Marie-Françoise spoilt for choice when she decides on the tasty flavours for her delicious conserves! From August to October, she has her work cut out to pick the fruit, cook the jam and seal it in jars, each with a pretty hand-made label. But when it's your passion, you don't count the time you spend! Marie-Françoise takes pleasure in sharing the fruit that abounds in this region.

Domaine de la Balle

The Perey family enthusiastically invite visitors to discover their extensive range of products in the authentic setting of the cellar, or in the friendly ambience of the "La Pinte" brasserie. The Domaine de la Balle is perfectly situated at the foot of Vufflens Castle; the red and white grape varieties benefit from the rich soil to develop all their aromas. Lovers of fruity white wines will appreciate the Chasselas, the blended wine (known as "Assemblage") and the Doral – the result of a cross between Chasselas and Chardonnay. Gamay, Pinot Noir, Gamaret-Garanoir and Pinot Noir Rosé round out the range – not forgetting "lie" and "marc", grape-based spirits that are greatly appreciated at the end of a meal. For a convivial gathering at the cocktail hour, a gourmet evening or simply to take away a souvenir of the region, the Perey family's "La Pinte" brasserie awaits your visit in the late afternoon/early evening from Thursday to Saturday. This welcoming and lively venue is used as a wine bar, a craft market and even an exhibition area. The varied programme can be consulted online.

Vufflens-le-Château

The small commune of Vufflens-le-Château is pleasantly located on the slopes above Morges, facing Lake Geneva. It has slightly more than 800 inhabitants who are known as the Vufflanais (or Vufflanaises, for women). The first mentions of the Vufflens lands date back to the 12th century. Vufflens-le-Château should not be confused with Vufflens-la-Ville, which is about ten kilometers away. However, the two communes share the same history, which is closely linked to that of the castle of Vufflens. It seems that the land at Vufflens-la-Ville was assigned to knights who were tributaries of the lords of Vufflens-le-Château.

Vufflens Castle

Vufflens Castle is an impressive building: it is over 60 meters high and has 6 storeys. The castle was built facing Lake Geneva, and its long history includes plenty of mysteries, given that it was ransacked many times over. The castle is privately owned so it cannot be visited (except for the courtyard, which is open to the public). Its current proprietors are the Saussure family (whose ancestors owned it in the 17th century); they cultivate eight hectares of vines surrounding the fortress, and the wine from them is produced in the Castle's cellars by the House of Bolle. Vufflens Castle is one of the oldest in the canton; there was already a fortress on this site in 1100. However, the building we know today dates from 1420 when it was reconstructed by Henri de Colombier. A prominent warlord who had fought many battles in Europe, Henri de Colombier chose military architecture for his castle, which is built of brick in the Italian style. The use of this material for a building of this size is unique in Switzerland.

Covered picnic area

A picnic site is provided for walkers in the heart of the village of Chigny: set back from a residential road, the site is protected by a small roof so it is available in all weathers. Two benches and a table can be used to eat or enjoy an impromptu aperitif during a well-deserved break!

Village of Chigny

Like other villages with names ending in the letter "y", Chigny has Gallo-Roman origins. Its history stretches back centuries or even millennia, although Chigny prefers to celebrate the date of its official foundation in 1799, after the Lake Geneva Region achieved independence. Like many of the neighbouring settlements, Chigny was a tributary of the lord of Vufflens-le-Château during the Middle Ages. Even after the feudal era, the Chignacs (as the villagers are known) still keep a watchful eye on the majestic Vufflens Castle that towers above their village.

The Morges Path

Renowned as a trout-fishing river, the Morges attracts fishing enthusiasts along its twelve-kilometer course. Walkers also enjoy its banks, which they can follow through woodlands, fields and vineyards along the pleasant route known as the Morges Path (Sentier de La Morges). The Morges rises at the foot of the Jura massif and flows into the Rhone at Lake Geneva, after providing water for the town that is named after it.

Beehives

The lucky bees in this apiary only have to fly a few meters to savour the nectars from the orchards and vines that belong to the "Agrilogie" school on the Marcelin site. Like many of their colleagues in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, the beekeepers at this apiary carry out two seasonal harvests: in spring for flower honey and in summer for tree honey. It is impossible to estimate the number of bees that inhabit the ten hives in the site, but there are an average of 40,000 bees per hive – more than enough for a "big buzz"! Bees are sweet little creatures, but even so – take care as you approach the hives! The apiarists are present on the site on the evening of the first Wednesday in every month, when they will be happy to share information about their passion with you.

Agrilogie Marcelin training centre

The enormous Marcelin site above Morges is home to three training centres including the "Agrilogie". This school trains a thousand young farmers, wine-growers, cellar masters and orchardists. The practice-based training largely takes place on the land. Students of viticulture tend the white and red grape varieties at the Domaine de Marcelin, which cover more than seven hectares. The wine obtained from them is vinified and sold on site. The "Magaz’à vin" shop opens in the evening on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and on Saturday morning. The shop also sells fruit grown by the students in the huge orchards that also belong to the "Agrilogie".

The 'capite': a vineyard hut

This exclusively Swiss term refers to a small, isolated house or a sentry post. In viticulture, the "capite" is a modest hut where wine-growers would take a break during their long working days. Later on, some "capites" were converted into storage facilities while others were transformed into charming venues for tastings, places to gather with friends or even accommodation with views of the lake and the vines.

Cave du Signal

Mr. Lionel Widmer welcomes you to Echichens to discover and taste the wines of the Cave du Signal.

A wine vat

Vats are used to mature the wine after it has fermented, until it is bottled. They are made of different materials and their capacity varies. Vats made of stainless steel, cement or ordinary steel have longer lifetimes and are easier to maintain. They are used for short-term vinification and their neutral composition allows all the fruity aromas of the wine to be preserved. Wooden vats are known by various names: barrels, casks, kegs or puncheons. Casks have limited capacity – about 225 litres – and they can only be kept for three or four years. A barrel is made from an assembly of thicker woods so as to extend its lifetime, while a keg usually has a large capacity of 1,000 to 15,000 litres. Wooden vats are greatly appreciated for the vinification of red grape varieties. They allow the wine to breathe, thereby encouraging it to mature. The wine becomes impregnated with the deep vanilla aromas of the wood over several months, giving it an intense feel in the mouth.

Sibò

Every month, in addition to the traditional menu, a special menu will be suggested to let you discover the traditional cuisine of a region. Pizzas are prepared by a real pizzaoili and the pasta is handmade before you, just like my grandmother used to do. Our products are selected with care and the majority come directly from Italy.

Domaine Henri Cruchon

At the Domaine Henri Cruchon, work is a family affair and both the grapes and the environment are treated with respect. Henri Cruchon and his sons held the conviction that it was important to grow high-quality grapes in a healthy, natural environment so in 2000, they switched over to the biodynamic method. Nowadays, about 30 of the 42 hectares of vines are cultivated according to this demanding method, which excludes all chemical products and protects the ecosystems. Of the 34 wines made from 16 different grape varieties, many are regularly extolled by the media or at professional competitions. Notable examples: the Pinot Blanc, the Chasselas Les Peytolères, the Noblesse de Chardonnay and, first and foremost, the Pinot Noir Le Raissenaz Grand Cru. To taste these vintages, the Cruchon family admits visitors to its huge and welcoming cellar, from Monday to Saturday or by appointment for workshops or group introductions to wine-tasting.

Superb view of the lake and Morges

Enjoy a superb vista of Lake Geneva, the town of Morges and (in fine weather) Mont Blanc, the mythical peak of the French Alps. Lake Geneva, Europe's largest lake, takes its French name (Léman) from the Celtic language; it means "large water". The lake was formed when the Rhone glacier retreated, and it stretches from Valais to Geneva; it shares its surface area between Switzerland (with about 60%) and France. In summer, its shores welcome water sports enthusiasts and bathers. From this viewing pulpit, you can also admire the charming town of Morges. The lake shores at Morges were already inhabited in the Bronze Age; the submerged remains of these dwellings built on piles are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Morges itself, and its famous castle, were founded in the Middle Ages by the eminent Savoy family. Nowadays, the town of Morges has over 15,000 inhabitants and is renowned for its lifestyle: gastronomy, wines and numerous events are just some of the attractions it offers.

Echichens

Inhabited in turn by Romans and Burgundians, Echichens looks back on a lengthy history which has seen it ruled by various overlords. They succeeded one another at Echichens Castle, whose origins and history still remain somewhat vague. The most eminent overlord was Théodore du Gard, who owned the castle in the 17th century. When Echichens was officially founded, it adopted the escutcheon of Théodore du Gard as the commune's official coat of arms. This emblem changed in 2011 when Echichens was merged with three neighbouring villages, increasing the population to over 2000 inhabitants.

Bus-Stop : En Grassiaz

If you want to continue your wine tourism walk through the old town of Morges, you can take the 704 bus to Morges train station stop. The bus stop here every 15 minutes, according to the timetable posted at the bus stop. You pass 6 bus stops before reaching your destination.

Morges Temple

The Temple of Morges dates from 1769; it was built on the site of a former chapel whose presence is attested from the 14th century onwards. Before it was listed as a Swiss heritage site of national importance, the Temple underwent several refurbishments. On completion of the work in 1771, it was noticed that the bell tower (built higher than planned) had sustained serious damage and was collapsing. It was therefore decided to demolish and rebuild the façade, although it was an unusual feature in the regional artistic landscape due to its circular shape. The new facade, which was finished in 1776, incorporates some decorative elements from the original construction. Its silhouette – visible from the lake and the town – recalls the French architectural style of the period. The Temple of Morges has been renovated several times over the last two centuries, and it is still one of the most notable buildings in the late baroque style in the French-speaking region of Switzerland.

History of gas lanterns

The French word for gas lantern – "réverbère" – originates from the Latin verb "reverbere", which means "to hit". Technically speaking, the light from the lamp is magnified when it "hits" mirrors in the lantern. Ever since towns came into being, people have always sought a solution for public lighting that is aesthetically pleasing as well as safe. The Romans pursued this quest by setting up a system of lighting for the main city districts with the help of torches and oil lamps. The use of reflective lanterns for public lighting dates back to the start of the 19th century: the gas lanterns that were used back then had to be lit by hand every day.

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