The town of Montreux nestles in a sheltered Lake Geneva bay. It is surrounded by vineyards, against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-covered Alps. The town’s celebrated lakeside promenade is lined with flowers, sculpture, Mediterranean trees and beautiful European buildings. The small town is a pure inspiration for culture and leisure, where the rich and famous run to when looking for some peace of mind.

Montreux Riviera is a peaceful and internationally famous area that took off as a tourist resort at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Two centuries later, the terraced vineyard became part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

Because of the exceptionally mild climate, Montreux is called the capital of the Vaud Riviera. This small town is attractive for the beauty of its scenery and the brilliant quality of life. It is lined with plants that are exclusively growing on the Mediterranean region, such as pines, cypresses and palm trees.

A huge variety of celebrities own cottages and houses in the area, such as Victor Hugo, Freddie Mercury, Gustave Eiffel, Charlie Chaplin, Gandhi as well as other famous people. The city is celebrated for hosting some of the best festivals in the country, starting with the best summer event, the famous Montreux Jazz Festival that takes place in June/July. It is held annually and since its beginning in 1967, the festival has developed into a big event which frequently features the greatest jazz, blues, rock, world music and soul musicians. The second biggest event held in this fabulous town is the Christmas Market, which is held annually in December. This is one of Switzerland’s famous Christmas Markets with various attractions and over 100 decorated wooden houses brimming with gifts. Another famous festival is the annual Comedy Festival held also in December. This humor festival brings along the most celebrated comedians from the French-, German- and English-speaking areas.

The Château Chillon, French for Chillon Castle, is located on a rocky island near the shore. It features revived walls and towers and the prison in which Bonivard was held in chains for four years. This medieval castle is now a museum with several highlights such as:

The Courtyards:

There are three courtyards right at the entrance of the historical castle, starting with the lower courtyard, which is the busiest part of the castle. Upstairs is the Castellan’s courtyard and the Courtyard of Honor, it is reserved for the use of the counts, later dukes of Savoy and their retinue.

The Underground:

The architecture of these underground rooms reflects the great Gothic cathedrals of the 13th century. This part of the castle stimulates the imagination with the numerous legends that have arisen from this place. The most famous is that of the imprisonment of Bonivard, made famous by Lord Byron, who made him the hero of his poem “The Prisoner of Chillon.”

The Camera Domini:

This unusual room was reserved for the Duke of Savoy. The bestiary of the 14th century murals is extremely rich in medieval symbols.

The Bernese Chamber:

This is a relaxed bedroom, with passive decoration, a large four-poster bed, heating, private toilet and even running water.

The great halls:

There are four formal great halls in this castle, with windows that overview the marvelous views of Lake Geneva. The Savoy family held sumptuous banquets in them, whilst the Bernese rendered justice in some of them.

The weapons room:

Equivalent to the audiovisual presentation, a weapons room with a specially designed sound background has been opened for viewing in September 2010.

Another Montreux attraction is the Lavaux vineyards, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that illuminates a thousand years of labor. The Lavaux vineyards have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Program since 2007. The site illustrates the interaction between man and nature. It is henceforth protected from creeping urbanization.

Stroll around the old city of Vevey, it is rich in heritage and is lined up with a variety of historical monuments and museums as well as boutiques and craftsmen can be found in the narrow paved streets, displaying their know-how and wares. In the summer season, every Tuesday and Saturday is celebrated by the famous Vevey market, with its colorful, perfumed stands offering flowers, fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, fish and vintage products. On Saturdays in July and August, these markets give way to folklore markets with stands and street dancers where people gather to have a light meal and street entertainment.

For nature lovers, Rochers-de-Naye is a must see. It offers a breathtaking view of Lake Geneva and the Alps. Marmot’s Paradise, the Alpine Garden and Mongolian yurts deserve a discovery on the summit.

You will love the magical panoramic view that Rochers-de-Naye offers.

The impression reinforced by the yurts, which can be rented for a night, is out of the world: the steeply inclined slopes, the chains of summits rising successively in the mist, the bottom of verdant valleys or the iridescent blue of Lake Geneva. The best way to explore the area is to hike up there.

A few steps away from the yurts, the animal park, Marmots’ Paradise shows marmot breeds from all around the world. The animals can be observed in their natural habitat.

Along the shores of Lake Geneva, there are almost seven kilometers of beautiful exotic flowers and palm trees that offer an extravagant view of the mountain panorama. The town is filled with public gardens and botanical sculptures that add the most original artistic touch to the whole lakeside area.

The statue of Freddie Mercury also stands on the banks in front of the Covered Market. This artist, who lived for several years in Montreux recorded his last album, “Made in Heaven”, with the group Queen in the Mountain Studio, which is in the Montreux Casino. He died after a long illness in November 1991. His statue symbolizes the affection the city feels for him.

The Swiss Chocolate Train is a major attraction; it is a joint venture of GoldenPass Services and Cailler-Nestlé. Ride in first-class comfort in a “Belle Epoque” Pullman car, vintage 1915 and/or the modern panorama car affording stunning views of the vineyards surrounding Montreux and medieval Gruyères. The tour provides an excellent insight into the history of chocolate. You also get to sample a collection of chocolates. The ride starts with a hot chocolate and a pain au chocolat. The views are excellent and the old fashioned train is always a treat. You get to visit the Gryuere factory, the castle and the chocolate museum.

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