John the Baptist Church Grandson

14 July 2019

The church  (Saint-Jean-Baptiste) is a jewel of Romanesque art and is a national monument. The architecture showcases the various phases of construction and transformation spanning nine centuries. The Romanesque structure, along with its beautiful sculptures and frescoes, remains intact.

The Benedictine monastery was handed over to the monks of the Chaise-Dieu (Auvergne) in 1178. The bell tower and dome were built in the Romanesque style characteristic of the Auvergne region.

The choir was rebuilt in the Gothic style, and the north chapel was added in the 13th century. The monastery was dissolved in 1534.

(Source and further information at www.vd.ch).