Orbe - Church of Notre-Dame

In 14km/9mi southeast from Yverdon you reach Orbe (479 m/1,572ft; population 4,000) occupying the site of the Roman settlement of Urba. In the Ferme de Boscéaz (Route d'Yverdon), to the north of the town, the visitor should not miss the collection of Roman mosaics which were discovered in 1841 (opening hours given). They came from a Roman villa and display representations of divinities and animals. From the seventh to the 15th C., Orbe was a fortified Burgundian residence. Of interest is the medieval church of Notre-Dame, with a magnificent Gothic doorway. Its richly decorated arch is adorned with wonderfully carved keystones. In the 13th C. Amadeus III of Montfalcon built a fortress on a hill overlooking the town, but only the round keep and a rectangular tower remain. The two-storied town hall (1785-1789) has a balustrade decorated with the arms of the town. Local history is featured in the Musée du Vieil Orbe in the Rue Centrale.