Eglise de Montcherand
Eglise de Montcherand © Albin Berruex

Montcherand Church

This Cluniac church, 2 km from Orbe, is decorated with frescoes from the 12th Century, the oldest figurative frescoes in Switzerland. It is located at the crossroads of two pilgrimage routes: Via Francigena and the route of Santiago de Compostela.

Probably built in the 10th Century, the church first depended on the priory of Baulmes and was then conveyed to the Benedictine monastery of Payerne, most likely during in the 11th Century. Therefore, throughout the Middle Ages, it had been indirectly dependent on Cluny. Its paintings from the 12th Century represent the twelve apostles to both sides of a central figure that no longer exists, and a figure of Christ of which only a fragment remains. All this is supplemented by decorative elements as well as a Latin inscription, fragments of the Gospel of St. Matthew.

An association was created in 1992 with the aim of restoring (completed that same year) and conserving this church, its frescoes and its furnishings, as well as building broader public awareness of the site.

  • Eglise de Montcherand
  • Ruelle de l'Eglise 5
  • 1354 Montcherand - CH
  • How to get there?
  • Opening hours

Not to be missed in the vicinity...

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