Switzerland Abbatiale de Romainmôtier

Romainmôtier’s abbatiale was founded in the early Middle Ages and was later shaped by Cluniac ambition, so a Romanesque basilica of calm proportion was set in the Nozon valley. Honeyed stone was laid in measured courses, round arches were marched down the nave, and quiet Gothic accents were grafted on with restraint. Light and shadow were made to do the ornament’s work: capitals breathed, walls glowed, and a long axial view was drawn like a taut thread. For photography, dawn or dusk was favoured, reflections were found in wet cobbles, and interiors were best rendered with patient exposures that let the stone speak. In few places was gravity married to grace so simply.

Bring a wide range of focal lengths with you, nice photos inside and outside, and also from further away.

Easiest by car, but also possible by train.

By train: From Lausanne, the RER Vaud to Croy–Romainmôtier is taken (about 35–45 minutes). From the station, the abbatiale is reached on foot in 15–20 minutes. From Geneva Airport, an intercity to Lausanne is taken, then the same regional service is used. From Zürich, a route via Yverdon-les-Bains or Lausanne is followed to Croy–Romainmôtier.

By car: The A1 is used to the Orbe/Chavornay exit, then local roads are followed to Romainmôtier-Envy (about 35 minutes from Lausanne, 1 hour 15 from Geneva). Parking is found at the village edge; the church is reached on foot within a few minutes.

Helpful notes: Timetables are checked in advance; early or late light is chosen for photography; opening hours are verified, as services and events are occasionally held.