Aubonne Travel Guide

City Swiss town overlooking Lake Geneva vineyards

On a slope above Lake Geneva, Aubonne offers a castle, vineyards and an arboretum. Visitors walk vineyard paths, visit weekly markets and use the town as a quiet stop between Lausanne and Geneva.

Main image
Costs
Expensive - $150-250 per day
Expect high Swiss prices for food, transport, and lodging.
Safety
Very safe
Very safe; petty crime is rare, normal precautions advised.
Best Time
May-September
Mild, sunny late spring to early autumn suits vineyard visits and hikes.
Time
Weather
Population
2,703
Infrastructure & Convenience
Good trains and buses, very walkable centre, Swiss-standard signage and services.
Popularity
Quiet with mainly local and regional visitors; attracts wine lovers and weekenders from Geneva/Lausanne.
Known For
vineyards, Château d'Aubonne, river valley scenery, hiking, local wine festivals, proximity to Lake Geneva, medieval streets, Swiss rural charm, chestnut trees
Aubonne sits roughly 20 km north of Lausanne and is surrounded by vineyards and rolling Jura foothills.

Why Visit Aubonne? #

Set among rolling vineyards and craggy Alpine views, Aubonne draws visitors who appreciate quiet Swiss charm, local wine and medieval history. The Château d’Aubonne anchors a compact old town where narrow streets lead to cafés and the arboretum offers a leafy contrast to the vine-covered slopes. Food lovers come for Vaud wines and farm-to-table cuisine in nearby villages. Short drives bring panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, making it an easy rural escape from the lakeside hubs.

Top Things to Do in Aubonne

All Attractions ›
Don't Miss
  • Château d'Aubonne - Explore Château d'Aubonne's gardens and historical rooms overlooking the town and vineyards.
  • Saint-Michel Church - Visit Saint-Michel church with its ornate interior and central medieval town square.
  • La Côte vineyards - Walk La Côte vineyards' trails for panoramic views and local wine-tasting opportunities.
Hidden Gems
  • Arboretum d'Aubonne - Stroll the Arboretum d'Aubonne to discover rare tree species and peaceful walking paths.
  • Marché d'Aubonne - Browse Marché d'Aubonne's stalls for regional cheeses, breads, and artisan crafts.
  • Vallon de l'Aubonne - Hike the Vallon de l'Aubonne valley for quiet riverside walks and small cascades.
Day Trips
  • Lausanne - Take a short train to Lausanne for Olympic Museum and lakeside promenades.
  • Lavaux Vineyards - Visit Lavaux terraces for UNESCO-listed vineyard walks with sweeping Lake Geneva views.
  • Nyon - Stop in Nyon to explore its Roman museum and castle above the harbour.

Best Time to Visit Aubonne #

Late spring through early autumn (May-September) is ideal for Aubonne-mild, sunny weather suits hiking, vineyards and lake trips. Winters are cold and quieter, good for cozy stays and nearby ski day trips.

Winter
December - February · -1°C to 6°C (30°F to 43°F)
Cold, often frosty days with snow on Jura foothills; quiet village life and easy access to nearby ski areas and winter walks.
Spring
March - May · 5°C to 18°C (41°F to 64°F)
Blossoming vineyards and warming trails make for perfect hiking and wine-tasting; unpredictable showers mean layers and flexible plans.
Summer
June - August · 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 81°F)
Warm, sunny days ideal for lakeside outings and Jura hikes; pleasant evenings for terrace dining among vineyards.

Best Time to Visit Aubonne #

Climate

Aubonne's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1147 mm/year), wettest in June, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-2°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

89 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.2h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

77 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
13.4h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
14.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (117 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

65 Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
15.6h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 24°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

95 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.2h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° 24°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
14.0h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°
75%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

104 mm
Rainfall
1.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

102 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

41 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.5h daylight

How to Get to Aubonne

Aubonne is a small Vaud town north of Lake Geneva; most visitors arrive via Geneva or Zurich airports and continue by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) plus local buses. The nearest rail hubs are Lausanne and Morges, from which regional trains and Mobilis buses reach Aubonne in under an hour.

By Air

Geneva Airport (GVA): The closest major international airport for Aubonne. Trains from Geneva Airport to Lausanne take about 35-45 minutes (typical fare CHF 13-22 one-way); from Lausanne you can take a regional train or bus toward Morges/Aubonne - expect a further 20-35 minutes and CHF 3-8.

Zurich Airport (ZRH): An alternative if arriving from elsewhere in Europe. Direct trains from Zurich Airport to Lausanne take ~2:15-2:40 (change in Zurich or Bern), fares typically CHF 25-60 depending on advance purchase; from Lausanne follow the same regional connection to Aubonne (20-35 minutes, CHF 3-8).

By Train & Bus

Train: The Swiss rail network (SBB/Swiss Federal Railways) serves the region; use Lausanne or Morges stations as the main rail hubs for reaching Aubonne. Typical intercity fares to Lausanne or Morges depend on origin and ticket type (regional supplements not usually required); travel times from Lausanne to Aubonne area are about 20-35 minutes by connecting regional services.

Bus: Regional bus services (Mobilis Vaud network) connect Morges/Lausanne to Aubonne and nearby villages. Expect short journeys of 15-30 minutes within the canton; single fares inside Vaud are usually CHF 2.50-6 depending on zones (Mobilis zone-based pricing).

How to Get Around Aubonne #

Aubonne’s compact centre is easy to explore on foot; most sights, cafés and restaurants are within a short walk. Regional buses and trains link the town with larger Vaud centres, and local taxis serve evenings and onward connections. Bikes are handy for nearby vineyards and country roads; expect Swiss regional fares and taxi rates to be moderate (bring a Swiss franc card or cash). If you plan to drive, parking is available but spaces can be limited in the old town.

Where to Stay in Aubonne #

Budget
Mid-Range
Luxury

Where to Eat in Aubonne #

Local Food
International & Casual

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Aubonne's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Regional
Pizza
Italian
Burger
Thai
Fish
Kebab
Sushi
Korean
Chinese
Turkish
Japanese
Portuguese
Meat
Asian
Crepe
Greek
Grill
Local
Ramen

Nightlife in Aubonne #

Nightlife in Aubonne is low-key: evening life revolves around cafés, a handful of bars and restaurants where locals gather. Late-night clubbing or live-music venues are not typical here. If you want more evening options, trips to larger towns nearby will offer more bars and music venues.

Shopping in Aubonne #

Shopping in Aubonne is small-scale: independent boutiques, bakeries and grocery stores serve residents and visitors. You’ll also find seasonal market stalls selling local produce and regional specialties rather than big-brand shopping centres. For a wider selection of shops and specialty food stores, plan a short trip to a nearby larger town.

Nearby Cities #