The castle may have been built as early as the 12th century by the Lords of Grandson. The Savoyard Lords of Montferrand-La Sarra achieved great prestige. In 1475, the Bernese destroyed the castle during the Burgundian Wars. Barthélemy of Montferrand-La Sarra was the last of his family to die and left La Sarraz to his nephew Michel Mangerot. During the conquest of Vaud by the Bernese, the fortress was destroyed again in 1536. In 1542, François de Gingins acquired the Lordship of La Sarraz. The Gingins family remained in possession of the castle until 1901. Hélène de Mandrot (1867–1948) organized the first congress for modern architecture in 1928 and the first congress for independent film in 1929. The castle experienced a heyday at the beginning of the 20th century. Personalities such as Eisenstein, Max Ernst, Alfred Roth and Le Corbusier were among the guests at the castle. After the death of Hélène de Mandrot-Revilliod, the castle and its important furnishings (furniture, crockery, weapons, library) became the property of the Société des amis du Château de La Sarraz. The Musée Romand was opened in 1922.
In 1972, Switzerland was the last country in Europe to maintain mounted combat units. Despite the population's commitment to preserving Swiss cavalry, it was abolished in 1972. Shortly afterwards, the plan was made to establish a Swiss horse museum, which was implemented in 1978. In 1982, the Musée du cheval was opened in a former barn in the castle of La Sarraz. There is a permanent exhibition and a temporary exhibition as well as events such as the "Horse Festival", which takes place in August in the courtyard and in the castle park.
In 1984, the museum was awarded Special Commendations by the European Museum Forum.
Small and fine. The château has a cozy garden area, which offers a great view of the carrion towards the Alps at the back of the castle. At the entrance there is a restaurant, which has seating outside on the terrace when the weather is nice. The "Musée du Chaval" is housed in the neighboring barn of the castle. Danger. The premises of the château, as well as the respective exhibitions, are not always open. It is important to note the opening hours on the website. We were there on a Monday and couldn't visit the castle and museum.