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Renens

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City
PlizioGo—°8156
Renens (Switzerland)
ℹ️

Practical info — Renens

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Use Renens station as a hub; from here, you can reach Lausanne in less than 10 minutes.
  • The city is famous for design; visit the ECAL (art school) campus for rotating exhibitions.
  • Parking is difficult in the center; use Park-and-Ride lots on the outskirts or take the M1 metro.
  • Explore the multicultural food scene in the side streets around Rue de la Gare.
  • Renens is very compact; almost all sights and offices are easily accessible on foot.

🍽 Food

🍽
Saucisson Vaudois

Find this typical Vaudois sausage in the traditional butcher shops and bistros in town.

🍽
Italian Specialties

Thanks to the large Italian community, you'll find some of the most authentic pizzerias in the region here.

🍽
Local Craft Beer

Visit the modern bars near the station that serve beers from small Vaudois breweries.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Rue de la Gare

The main commercial street with a mix of international shops and local specialty stores.

🛍
Shopping Centers in Crissier

Just a short bus ride away, you'll find some of the largest shopping malls in French-speaking Switzerland.

🧘
Parc de Valency

A beautiful park on the border with Lausanne, featuring old trees and a great view of the lake.

🧘
Green Corridors

Along the revitalized stream beds, you'll find quiet footpaths away from the road traffic.

Highlights of 2026

8

Renens is a city in the canton of Vaud and forms an integral part of the Lausanne agglomeration. The municipality has undergone a profound transformation from a rural village into a significant industrial and transport hub, particularly following the construction of its large marshaling yard in the 19th century. Today, Renens is characterized by its high cultural diversity and a young, dynamic population, reflected in numerous urban renewal projects. The city hosts prominent educational institutions such as the ECAL cantonal art school, which is located in a former hosiery factory and enjoys international acclaim. Architecturally, Renens gives an interesting mix of historic factory buildings, modern residential complexes, and the prominent 18th-century Renens Castle. As a key economic location west of Lausanne, the city benefits from excellent connections to the rail network and highways. Social life is shaped by numerous associations and cultural events that underscore the city's inclusive character.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-104912171918141040
Rain mm9675928211710710110780103100109

Live webcam – Renens

See what it looks like near Renens right now.

Renens: Renens VD, gare · 0.7 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
20,927
Coordinates
46.53500, 6.58800

Facts

  • Home to the renowned ECAL art and design school
  • Major railway junction in the canton of Vaud
  • Renens Castle was built during the 18th century
  • Boasts one of the highest population densities in Switzerland
  • Former site of significant metallurgical industries
  • Part of the 'Ouest lausannois' urban development project

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Renens (15)

Musée romain de Lausanne-Vidy🏛 museum

A museum presenting the remains of the Roman settlement Lousonna.

Roman Ruins of Lousonna🏺 historical

Archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Lousonna.

Château de Vidy🏰 castle

A historic building near Lake Geneva, now the headquarters of the IOC.

Château de Renens-sur-Roche🏰 castle

Remains of a historic fortification in the Renens region.

Château de Renens🏰 castle

A castle building representing the local history of the city of Renens.

Théâtre de Beaulieu🎭 culture

One of the largest and most important theatres in French-speaking Switzerland.

Espace des Inventions🏛 museum

An interactive museum for children that teaches science and technology through play.

🕒 We-Sa 14:00-18:00; Su 10:00-18:00

Mosaïque Romaine🏺 historical

A well-preserved Roman mosaic from the ancient settlement of Lousonna.

Théâtre Kléber-Méleau🎭 culture

A theatre in a former factory, known for its ambitious productions.

Lousonna🏺 historical

Lousonna in Renens is a Roman archaeological site from the 1st century AD.

Colline du Languedoc🌿 nature

A hill with vineyards offering a panorama over Lake Geneva.

Saint-François d'Assise⛪ religious

A church dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi in Renens.

Paroisse de Renens⛪ religious

Main Protestant parish church of Renens with a modern stained glass window.

Terrain d'Aventure de Malley👨‍👩‍👧 family

The Terrain d'Aventure de Malley is a great destination for families in the Swiss city of Renens. This family-friendly playground gives children plenty of space to develop while playing and running around in the fresh air.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Renens located?
Renens is located in the canton of Vaud and is a suburb in the west of Lausanne.
What is Renens known for?
Renens is known as a dynamic educational hub, especially through the ECAL art school.
What is ECAL?
It is the cantonal university of art and design, housed in a former factory in Renens.
How is the transport connection?
Renens station is an important hub for regional trains and the Lausanne Metro.
Are there cultural highlights?
Besides ECAL exhibitions, there is the "Le Silo" cultural center with diverse events.
Renens: where is it located?
Renens is located in Switzerland.
Renens: what is there to see?
Highlights include Musée romain de Lausanne-Vidy, Roman Ruins of Lousonna, Château de Vidy.
Renens: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Renens: why is it worth visiting?
Renens is a city in the canton of Vaud and forms an integral part of the Lausanne agglomeration.
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