Montreux is associated with the world famous Jazz Festival that is held every July in this dynamic city. In fact the city can be called a giant open-air music theater. Every street has a music club or a theatre. In addition, the charm of the castles and vineyards of the surrounding region will mesmerize you, and you will begin to understand why Montreux is called the "Swiss Riviera".
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Montreux is one of the most beautiful Swiss cities situated on the banks of Lake Geneva. |
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The mild climate guarantees plenty of sun and pleasant temperatures. |
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One of the finest panoramas in Switzerland can be enjoyed from "Roches-de-Naye" (plenty of panoramic points nearby). |
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Intense cultural life with exhibitions, concerts and, above all, the famous Montreux Jazz Festival add to the attractions of the city. |
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Many world-famous celebrities live here. |
How to Get There
The closest international airport is in Geneva. There is a train station within the airport and every hour at least one train leaves for Montreux. The travel time for the transfer Geneva-Montreux is less than 1 hour. It’s also possible to take a boat from Geneva to Montreux.
Sightseeing
The Castle of Chillon is the place to start your Montreux tour. This is where Lord Byron composed the famous poem "Prisoner of Chillon". The Rochers de Naye Mountain towers 2045 m (6710 ft) above sea level, making it the highest peak in the region. The vineyards of Lavaux, close to Montreux, are a popular tourist destination owing to the sun kissed orchards and fruit gardens that have an almost Mediterranean feel to them. If you are a rock enthusiast, then the Freddy Mercury Memorial is also a must visit on your Montreux tour itinerary.
Montreux is also famous for the various events held here round the year. The Auditorium Stravinsky features classical music performances, comedy and opera from October to April. The music festivals feature bands from all over the world, from Africa to Europe, Asia to Latin America, making this city an exemplar of cosmopolitanism.
Chillon Castle
The Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon) is located on the shore of Lake Geneva near Montreux, Switzerland. The castle consists of 25 independent buildings that were gradually connected and now form a single whole. It now hosts a museum with some historical objects preserved. It was made famous by Lord Byron, who wrote the poem The Prisoner Of Chillon (1816) about François de Bonivard, a Genevois monk and politician who was imprisoned there from 1530 to 1536. The castle in one of the settings in Henry James's novella Daisy Miller. The oldest parts of the castle have not been definitively dated, but the first written record of the castle is in 1160 or 1005. From the mid 12th century, the castle was home to the Counts of Savoy, and it was greatly expanded in the 13th century by Pietro II.
Rochers de Naye
In one hour, you can climb by rack railway train from the palm trees on the lake shore to the edelweiss flowering above. Modern or steam, the cog railways meander between lake, forests and high mountain pastures taking less than an hour to reach the summit of more than 2,000 m. A real headland overlooking the town of Montreux, the Rochers-de-Naye ("Naye Rocks") provides the most spectacular view of Lake Geneva and its surrounding Alps. On a clear day, you can see the Eiger, the Mont-Blanc massif and Geneva's famous waterspout.
Insider Tip
We recommend a walk through the vineyards around Montreux with a vine degustation.
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