Castle, Priory Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Town Grandson

13 May 2026

The first mention of the castle and the seigneury dates back to the year 1100. Little else is known about the period up to the thirteenth century, apart from the fact that a Benedictine monastery was founded in 1146, which still stands today in the city centre with its magnificent Romanesque architecture, sculpture and frescoes. Gothic alterations were made at a later date.

Othon I of Grandson (1238–1328) significantly expanded the fortress and the seigneury’s power through an alliance with Savoy. The castle was subsequently administered for a period (1389–1420) by the House of Savoy and, from 1420, by the House of Chalon, an ally of Charles the Bold (1433–1477), Duke of Burgundy.

The materials used to build Otto I of Grandson’s new fortress. Image: Grandson Castle.

The network of castles from the 11th to the 14th centuries. Between 1230 and 1320, the Pays de Vaud was dotted with castles serving the purposes of defence, administration and the exercise of power by the bishops of Lausanne and Geneva, the House of Savoy and its vassals, the lords of Cossonay-Prangins, the County of Gruyère and the lords of Grandson. Image: Grandson Castle.

For this reason, the castle was at the centre of the conflict between Charles and the Swiss Confederates and their allies. They defeated the Duke on 2 March 1476 at the Battle of Grandson.

From that time onwards, Bern and Fribourg shared the administration of Grandson, and the castle served as the residence of their governors until 1798.

The castle subsequently became the property of the new canton of Vaud in 1803 and was later owned by several private owners.

Today, a foundation manages the castle, which also houses the Grandson Museum.

The Benedictine priory Saint-Jean-Baptiste

The Benedictine monastery was founded in the 11^th century. It is a jewel of Romanesque art and a national monument. The architecture showcases the various phases of construction and transformation spanning nine centuries.

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. The west wing was renovated in the 19th century.

(Source and further information:Commune de Grandson, Église médiévale de Grandson, Grandson, 2025; www.chateau-grandson.ch).

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church