The city also played an important role during the Middle Ages, as shown by its famous Castle. Today, from its circular donjon, visitors have a magnificent view over a wide range of beautiful natural scenery and historical and archeological sites of interest to tourists, as well as over the areas providing sports activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The plain of the Orbe River is used intensively for agriculture. However, Orbe is also an important regional centre for the agro-alimentary industry, with the presence in particular of Hilkona and Nestlé: Nespresso, for example, produces millions of capsules for the world market.

Orbe is surrounded by the wine-producing communes of the Canton de Vaud, including Valeyres-sous Rance, Arnex-sur-Orbe, Agiez, Montcherand and Les Clées. The town is thus in the midst of the vineyards that produce the « Côtes de l’Orbe ».

Orbe has 6600 urban residents per 12 km2. The town is situated at an altitude of 479m, majestically perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking a sweeping bend of the Orbe River.