Avenches - 420 metres

Avenches

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The sound of loud cheering still regularly fills the 2,000- year-old amphitheatre in Avenches.

For while gladiators no longer battle it out here in front of a bloodthirsty public, the impressive arena is still regularly the setting for big events – such as the Opera Festival in July and the "Rock Oz'Arènes" rock music festival in August. In stark contrast with the defiant Roman ruins is the charm of this little French-speaking town, with its idyllic arbours and remarkable façades in Gothic and Renaissance style. Among them, restaurants, cake shops and boulevard cafés invite visitors to linger; while just outside Switzerland's "horse capital", a busy calendar of events takes place at the National Equestrian Institute.