Payerne
Payerne is 111 km from Geneva Airport, about 1 hour 15 minutes on the A1 motorway via Lausanne and Yverdon, with no border to cross. This market town in the Broye valley of the canton of Vaud is known for its abbey church, one of the largest Romanesque buildings in Switzerland, and for the military air base on its outskirts. AirportsTransfers.ch takes you there in a single direct journey, whether you are visiting the abbey, a company in the region or the air base.
- Distance from GVA: 111 km
- Drive time: about 1 h 15
- Border crossing: none, Switzerland only
- Best for: Romanesque heritage, aviation, business in the Broye, Roman sites nearby
- Getting there: A1 via Lausanne and Yverdon, Payerne exit
From Geneva Airport to Payerne
The route follows the A1 motorway along Lake Geneva, turns north at Lausanne towards Yverdon and continues on the A1 through the gentle Broye countryside, where Payerne has its own exit. Apart from the Lausanne area at peak times, the motorway is rarely congested, and the last part of the drive passes through fields of tobacco, sugar beet and cereals typical of this fertile valley.
Payerne has a railway station on the regional lines of the Broye, but from the airport a change is usually needed in Lausanne or elsewhere. For groups, travellers with luggage, or business visitors with tight schedules, the private car is far easier and quicker.
The abbey church
Payerne's abbey church, the Abbatiale, is the main reason many visitors come. Founded in the tenth century and linked to the powerful Benedictine abbey of Cluny in Burgundy, it is considered one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Switzerland. The vast, sober nave built of alternating light and dark stone, the carved capitals and the remains of medieval frescoes create a strong impression of space and calm. After the Reformation the building was used for many secular purposes, and a long restoration has returned it to its former dignity. Exhibitions and concerts are regularly held inside.
Around the abbey, the old town is small but pleasant, with a parish church, fountains and squares. Payerne is also known for its traditional carnival and for the hearty charcuterie of the Vaud countryside, served with leeks and potatoes in winter.
The air base and aviation
Payerne is home to one of the main bases of the Swiss Air Force, and military jets regularly fly over the valley. The base occasionally hosts large air shows, and the area has strong aviation traditions. The solar aircraft Solar Impulse made its first test flights from Payerne, and the aeronautical park next to the base hosts companies working in aviation and new technologies. A small museum devoted to military aviation, Clin d'Ailes, presents historic aircraft and the history of the base.
Business visitors to the aeronautical park or to industrial firms in the Broye often book a chauffeur by the hour (minimum two hours) to link several meetings in the area, avoiding the need to hire a car.
Day trips from Payerne
- Avenches: the former Roman capital of Helvetia, with an amphitheatre and Roman museum
- Murten / Morat: a walled town on its lake with ramparts you can walk along
- Estavayer-le-Lac: a medieval town and beaches on Lake Neuchâtel
- Romont: a hilltop town known for its Swiss stained glass museum
Fribourg, with its Gothic cathedral and medieval old town spread across a loop of the Sarine river, is also within easy reach, as are the lakes of the Three Lakes region. In summer, the flat roads of the Broye are ideal for cycling.
Practical tips for your stay
Payerne has a few hotels and guest houses, and the countryside around offers farm stays and bed and breakfasts. The town is quiet in the evenings, so if you are planning a longer stay you may want to combine it with nights in Murten, Fribourg or Estavayer. When air shows or major events take place at the base, accommodation and roads in the area can be crowded, so book well ahead. Weather in the Broye is generally mild, but fog can settle in the valley in autumn and winter.
Booking with AirportsTransfers.ch
Book your transfer online: the fixed price per vehicle is displayed before you pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your chauffeur follows your flight, welcomes you in the arrivals hall with a name sign and waits at no extra cost if you land late. The Mercedes E-Class fits three passengers and three bags, the S-Class suits executive travellers, the V-Class carries up to seven people with ten bags, and the Sprinter is made for delegations and groups. Child seats are available on request, and skis or bikes should be declared at booking. Return trips and company invoices are available. For any question, call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77, 24 hours a day.
