Avenches (French pronunciation: [avɑ̃ʃ]) is a Swiss municipality in the canton of Vaud, located in the district of Broye-Vully.

Nearby the Helvetii seem to have had their capital on Mont Vully as shown in recent archaeological excavation.

After patronage by the emperor Vespasian, Aventicum soon developed into a blooming commercial center with over 20,000 inhabitants.

Excavations have revealed the detail of the theatre and major temple complex dedicated to the "genius" of Helvetia-Roman Switzerland.

Other parts of the city still visible are the amphitheatre which includes a later tower now housing the Professor Hans Bogli museum, the baths, the walls, two of the entrances gates, a smaller temple and part of a place building.

Throughout this period, the town remained the seat of a bishopric and had at least two churches (Saint-Martin and Saint-Symphorian).

When the bishop moved his seat to Lausanne in the sixth century, the decline of the former Roman city was complete.

In 1074, the Bishop of Lausanne, Burkhard von Oltigen founded a new city on the site and named it Adventica, which became Avenche in 1518.

In 1266 the form Wibilsburg appears, and then Wipelspurg (1302), Wibelspurg (1458), Wiblispurg (1476), Wiflispurg (1548), and Wiflisburg (1577).

With the mediation of Napoleon in 1803, Avenches became part of the canton of Vaud and capital of its district.

When economic circumstances worsened at the end of the 19th century the Jews left the city and the synagogue, which was no longer in use, was torn down in 1954.

Archaeology benefitted curiously from the first and second world wars when foreigners interned in Switzerland, and local unemployed, were engaged to excavate the main buildings of the Roman city and to renovate and open to the public the theatre, "Cigognier" and the gates and one tower of the wall.

With the advent of the national highway scheme a programme of rescue archaeology was set up under the association "Pro Aventico" under the remarkably capable direction of Professor Hans Bogli, after whom the Roman museum has since been named.

[5] Avenches is located on a hill, isolated in the Broye valley, 12 km (7.5 mi) north-west of Fribourg.

[6] The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Gules, Moors head proper with a band Argent around, clothed in Azure and Or.

[9] The age distribution, as of 2009[update], in Avenches is; 349 children or 11.4% of the population are between 0 and 9 years old and 376 teenagers or 12.3% are between 10 and 19.

[10] The historical population is given in the following chart:[3][14] The Roman ruins of Aventicum, Avenches Castle, the Cure at Rue du Jura 2, the Swiss Reformed Church, the Temple à Donatyre and the Tour de l’évêque (Bishops tower) with amphitheater and Roman Museum are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The entire town of Avenches and the Haras fédéral area are part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

The number of jobs in the primary sector was 99, of which 97 were in agriculture and 2 were in forestry or lumber production.

In the tertiary sector; 524 or 52.3% were in wholesale or retail sales or the repair of motor vehicles, 74 or 7.4% were in the movement and storage of goods, 106 or 10.6% were in a hotel or restaurant, 4 or 0.4% were in the information industry, 10 or 1.0% were the insurance or financial industry, 36 or 3.6% were technical professionals or scientists, 60 or 6.0% were in education and 95 or 9.5% were in health care.

[10] From the 2000 census[update], 966 or 38.0% were Roman Catholic, while 1,032 or 40.6% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

The wettest month is June during which time Avenches receives an average of 102 mm (4.0 in) of rain or snow.

The driest month of the year is February with an average of 63 mm (2.5 in) of precipitation over 9.6 days.

In the Vaud cantonal school system, two years of non-obligatory pre-school are provided by the political districts.

The canton's primary school program requires students to attend for four years.

In 2009 the Musée romain d'Avenches was visited by 17,280 visitors (the average in previous years was 18,742).