Sainte-Croix Tourism

The Industrial Trail of Sainte-Croix immerses visitors in the town's recent past as a manufacturing and industrial hub — a heritage now recognized by UNESCO.Reuge, Bolex, Paillard… these world-famous names all have their roots in Sainte-Croix, in the Nord vaudois.

From the 19th century onward, Sainte-Croix grew into one of the leading industrial centres of the canton of Vaud. Drawing on hydraulic power, the proximity of forests, and above all a highly skilled workforce, the municipality carved out a speciality in precision mechanics. Starting with watchmaking and music box manufacture, it quickly distinguished itself through the production of automata, phonographs, typewriters, and measuring instruments. These objects, exported across the globe, brought Sainte-Croix renown far beyond Switzerland's borders.

Inauguration of the Industrial Trail

The Genius Loci industrial trail follows the former lines of production: visitors discover imposing factory buildings with their understated facades, workers' houses clustered around the workshops, and the traces of the water networks that once powered the machines. Each stop speaks to the ingenuity of local craftspeople and engineers, who continually adapted their output to shifting technologies and economic upheavals.

Yet this walk is far more than a glance backward. It also shows how Sainte-Croix has reinvented its industrial heritage. The old manufacturing plants now house cultural venues, museums, and innovative businesses, keeping alive the spirit of precision and creativity that defines the region. The industrial trail thus becomes a bridge between memory and the present, offering visitors a meaningful insight into local identity.