News from St-Prex: Tracing the glassworks’ history during European Heritage Days

21.07.2025: On September 13 and 14, visitors are invited to explore the past of the Saint-Prex glassworks. As part of the European Heritage Days, the event ‘Sur les traces de la Verrerie de Saint-Prex’ offers guided tours of the ‘Salle de La Paix’ and the Church of St-Prothais.

The Saint-Prex glass production site shaped the region for over a century. The European Heritage Days 2025 offer vivid insights into the historic glassworks.
In the early years, many of the workers came from Catholic Fribourg. This is why Henri Cornaz had a Catholic church built during the construction phase.

Established in 1911 by Henri Cornaz in the heart of the Vaud vineyards, the Saint-Prex glassworks has shaped the region for over a century and is now regarded as the birthplace of the Vetropack Group. Its reputation led to the development of an industrial town around the factory. By 1931, 36 apartment buildings had been constructed for the workforce. In 1917, a Catholic church was built to accommodate the faithful from the Semsales glassworks, which had since merged with the Saint-Prex site. 

Following the end of the First World War the following year, the “Salle de la Paix” (Hall of Peace) was inaugurated on the factory premises, hosting a major regional peace celebration. The hall featured a library and club rooms and was used for meetings, concerts, and various social events. The assembly hall was fully renovated in 1985. 

The European Heritage Days provide valuable insights into the social and industrial history of the region. The programme includes free visits to the Salle de la Paix and the Church of St-Prothais as well as guided tours led by art historian Camille Noverraz – offering a unique opportunity to explore the area’s industrial heritage at close quarters. 

Held annually in Switzerland on the second weekend in September, the European Heritage Days form part of the broader pan-European initiative. This year’s theme focuses on historical and contemporary “architectural stories”, and also marks the 50th anniversary of the 1975 Year of Monument Protection. 

Detailed information about guided tours of the Salle de La Paix and the Church of St-Prothais can be found here.