scenic viewpoint
Lavaux Vineyard Terraces
UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards cascading down to Lake Geneva, cultivated since the 11th century with spectacular views of the Alps.
18 km · about 20 min drive
Vaud, Switzerland · Europe
Echallens is worth a stop: 5 minutes from Bottens, 21km from Lake Geneva (Lac Léman).
Echallens is a town located in Vaud, Switzerland. With a population of 5,740, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Echallens sits in Switzerland, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Zurich time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Echallens to your route.
The Gros-de-Vaud is a geographic region in the Swiss canton of Vaud, and part of the Swiss Plateau. Unlike the district of the same name, the geographic region has no formal borders, but stretches from the foothills of the Jura in the north to the heights above Lake Geneva in the south, and from the valleys of theRead more
Venoge and Nozon in the west to the Jorat ridge in the east. The historian Louis Vulliemin coined the term in 1875.
The Gros de Vaud is characterized by a gently undulating plateau landscape with an average elevation of 550 metres (1,800 ft) to 600 metres (2,000 ft) above sea level. The region is sometimes called the canton's granary, as its relatively dry climate favors grain cultivation. Cattle farming has also played a role in the region's economy, and a Nestlé condensed milk factory operated in Bercher from 1880 to 1921.
The watershed between the river basins of the Rhine and the Rhone crosses the region, which is principally drained by the rivers Venoge, Nozon, Talent and Menthue. The Venoge drains into Lake Geneva and hence the Rhone, whilst the Nozon, Talent and Menthue all flow north, with their waters eventually entering Lake Neuchatel and hence the Rhine.
The city of Lausanne lies to the south of the Gros de Vaud, and Yverdon-les-Bains is to the north. The community of Echallens lies at its centre, and is the capital of the Gros-de-Vaud district. Besides Echallens, the region consists of a number of villages, rarely exceeding 1,000 inhabitants.
The Gros-de-Vaud is served by the Lausanne-Echallens-Bercher railway line, which opened from Lausanne to Echallens in 1874, and was extended to Bercher in 1889. Originally conceived to carry the agricultural produce of the region to market, the line now functions as a commuter railway. The main highway between Lausanne and Yverdon passes through the centre of the region, whilst the A1 motorway passes along its western edge.
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Echallens offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Echallens is located in Vaud, Switzerland, Europe. The coordinates are 46.6413 latitude, 6.6332 longitude.
Echallens has a population of approximately 5,740 people, making it a town in Switzerland.
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Essential numbers in Switzerland
Motorway vignette (toll sticker) required: buy at the border or online. Roadside assistance (TCS): 140.
Full driving guide for Switzerland8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
UNESCO-listed terraced vineyards cascading down to Lake Geneva, cultivated since the 11th century with spectacular views of the Alps.
18 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
Western Europe's largest lake, shared with France, framed by the Alps and lined with vineyards, castles, and the famous Jet d'Eau fountain.
21 km · about 25 min drive
landmark
The 'Pearl of the Swiss Riviera' on Lake Geneva, home to the famous jazz festival, Freddie Mercury's statue, and nearby Château de Chillon.
32 km · about 35 min drive
famous road
France's ultimate driving route: ~700 km from Lake Geneva to the Riviera over 16 great alpine cols including Iseran and Galibier. Pin marks the traditional start at Thonon-les-Bains.
32 km · about 35 min drive
natural wonder
A vast natural rock amphitheatre with vertical 160m cliffs, a wild ridge-walk in the Jura.
33 km · about 40 min drive
castle
A medieval island castle on the shores of Lake Geneva, the most visited historic monument in Switzerland.
34 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Car-free hilltop town of a single cobbled street rising to a 13th-century castle amid cheese country, with the surreal twist of the H.R. Giger Museum and its Alien-themed bar inside Château St. Germain.
35 km · about 40 min drive
mountain pass
A 1,546 m pass in the Vaud Alps between Les Diablerets and Gstaad, the gateway to the Glacier 3000 cable car and a smooth, scenic link on any western Swiss Alps road trip.
53 km · about 60 min drive
April to October
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