Yverdon-les-Bains Castle and Yverdon and Region Museum

A real castle in the center of Yverdon

The castle of Yverdon-les-Bains is one of the most beautiful Savoyard castles in Switzerland. Built in the 13th century, it stands with its four round towers in the heart of the city, right next to Place Pestalozzi. You enter as if in a fairy tale, through a door that recalls the time of knights. Inside, the Yverdon and Region Museum tells the history of the city and its region, from prehistory to the present day. Thick walls, spiral staircases, and a large tower: everything invites exploration. It’s an outing that takes both young and old on a journey without leaving the city center.

What your children will discover

Your children will discover what a real castle is: its towers, thick stone walls, and mysterious corners. The museum features varied collections, from prehistoric objects to testimonies of life in the region in the past. Children love climbing the large tower and imagining the lives of lords and guards. A free audio guide, available in French, German, and English, accompanies the visit and makes it more lively. It’s a great opportunity to talk about history in a concrete way, almost touching the past centuries.

What to do there and the atmosphere on site

The visit is at your own pace, from floor to floor. You explore the museum rooms, climb the large tower, observe the courtyard and medieval architecture. The atmosphere is calm and invites imagination: your children quickly see themselves as knights or time explorers. The free audio guide helps to understand what you see, without making the visit cumbersome. The museum also offers guided tours by reservation and activities depending on the season. Check the official website for current family activities. It’s a place where you take your time, and where each room holds a surprise.

Before you go

• Recommended age: from 6 years old, the age when the history of knights begins to fascinate; interesting up to around 14 years old
• Duration: expect about 1 to 1.5 hours
• Price: permanent exhibition 10 / 8 / 6 CHF depending on the category; Castle Pass 12 / 10 / 8 CHF; temporary exhibition 3 CHF. Free age for children to be checked on the official website
• Reservation: free for the visit; reservation for guided tours
• Stroller accessibility: medieval building with stairs; a west entrance is planned for reduced mobility, but full access to the floors remains limited, to be checked on site
• Transport: city center, a few minutes' walk from Yverdon-les-Bains CFF station; Travys bus nearby
• To bring: good shoes for the stairs and a bit of imagination
• Ideal season: all year round; also practical in rainy weather

Parents' tips

• Take the free audio guide: it transforms the visit into a story and captures children's attention
• Climb the large tower first, it’s often the children’s favorite moment
• The Castle Pass allows you to combine exhibitions: interesting if you stay for a while
• Bring good shoes: the medieval stairs are steep
• Extend with a stroll on Place Pestalozzi and the historic center right next door

Useful information

• Address: Place Pestalozzi 11, 1400 Yverdon-les-Bains (north and west entrances)
• Official website: https://chateau.yverdon.ch and https://musee-yverdon-region.ch
• Hours: from Wednesday to Sunday and public holidays, from 11 am to 6 pm; closed on December 25 and January 1
• Access: city center of Yverdon-les-Bains, a few minutes' walk from the CFF station; Travys bus; west entrance for reduced mobility

And for more ideas, discover our guide to castles to visit with family in Romandy.

Why we recommend it

Because a real castle, with its towers and history, leaves a lasting impression on children. Here, History becomes tangible: you climb the large tower, listen to the stories from the audio guide, and imagine life in the past. It’s an accessible cultural outing, right in the center of Yverdon, that will please both knight enthusiasts and those curious about local history.

In two words

A Savoyard castle from the 13th century and its regional museum, in the heart of Yverdon-les-Bains. Towers, a large tower to climb, and a free audio guide: History at child’s height.