We drove along a road lined with vineyards on one side and, below us, a lake with mountain vistas on the other. Definitely not something we expected to find on our visit to Switzerland. We were winding our way along the 30km of terraced vineyards that make up the Lavaux Valley towards Montreux. Like us, you’ll love Montreux, Switzerland’s hidden gem!
We stumbled on the spectacular lakeside town of Montreux by chance when looking for somewhere away from the Alps. Montreux was perfect!
Why you’ll love Montreux
Montreux is well known for its annual Jazz Festival.
What travellers don’t know is that it’s a wonderful place to visit at other times as well. Peaceful and low-key, it was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the lakeside and small towns of the nearby Lavaux Valley.
A haven for celebrities
Montreux’s laid-back atmosphere has been a magnet for celebrities since the early 19th century.
English poet Lord Byron lived in the town in 1816 and wrote the poem, The Prisoner of Chillon, after visiting the castle. It chronicles the imprisonment of a Genevois monk, François Bonivard.
Montreux became a drawcard for artists, writers and musicians in the 20th century. Tchaikovsky and Dame Joan Sutherland have stayed there, while American actor Charlie Chaplin lived there in a self-imposed exile for 25 years.
Following the establishment of the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1967, the city began to attract rock musicians who recorded albums at the renowned Mountain Studios. Many, including David Bowie and Freddie Mercury, bought homes and lived there.
Things to do in Montreux
There are a myriad of tourist things to do while you’re in Montreux. Visiting the Queen’s Studio Experience Museum is just one of the activities you can indulge in. We preferred to take advantage of the beautiful surroundings by getting out and about to see why Montreux is so popular with Swiss holidaymakers.
Place du Marche
Place du MarchĂ© is the heart of Montreux’s waterfront. It’s the place where locals and tourists alike grab an ice cream and gather at the end of a summer evening to watch the sunset.
Freddie Mercury Statue
While you’re there, take the opportunity to strike a pose next to the Freddie Mercury Statue. The bronze statue stands looking over Lake Geneva. Freddie Mercury was a much-loved inhabitant of Montreux. He recorded his last Queen album in the lakeside city.
Take a morning walk along the Rue de Quai
Take a stroll along the Rue de Quai, and you will immediately realise why Montreux is known as the Pearl of Lake Geneva.
The promenade is one of the best places to enjoy the stunning views of the lake and the surrounding mountains. As you walk, you’ll discover sculptures and artwork along the lakefront that complement the beautiful scenery.
Chillon Castle
The Château de Chillon is a must-see when you’re in Montreux. Walk along the promenade, admiring the stunning vistas, and suddenly you’ll see Chillon Castle sitting on the edge of Lake Geneva
The 13th-century medieval castle, which sits on a rocky island at the edge of Lake Geneva, boasts towers with impressive views over the lake and out to the mountains.
More things to do
Visit the Lavaux Vineyards
While researching how to spend our time in Montreux, we were surprised to find that Switzerland produces wine. In fact, there are six wine regions in the country. The Lavaux Vineyards are the most coveted and spectacular. It’s a must-do if you’re in Montreux.
The terraced Lavaux Vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, let you immerse yourself in the vineyards and enjoy spectacular scenery. They sit right next to Lake Geneva.
Walking through the Lavaux Vineyards is a must-do while in Montreux. This UNESCO World Heritage site features stunning terraced vineyards. The area is famous for producing excellent wines, particularly white varieties. There are 800 hectares of vineyards for you to walk or bicycle through.
Of course, there are lots of opportunities to sample some of Lavaux’s excellent white wines at the cellar doors and restaurants/cafes along the way.
Spend time in another charming town on Lake Geneva
Vevey is another charming town on Lake Geneva. We stopped in the town for lunch on the drive from Bern to Montreux. It provides another long promenade with beautiful vistas of Lake Geneva.
Our visit to Vevey coincided with Switzerland’s National Day. At the height of summer, holidaymakers were enjoying themselves on the lakeside. We were treated to a band playing on the promenade while sitting on the stone wall, devouring an ice cream on a hot day.
Charlie Chaplin Statue
When strolling the promenade, you’ll find the Charlie Chaplin statue. Charlie Chaplin, a famous English actor, comedian and moviemaker, lived in Vevey with his family for the last 25 years of his life and is beloved by the town. His former home, set in a parklike setting, is now a museum dedicated to the great actor.
Look out for the Fork in the Water
As in Montreux, while walking along the promenade in Vevey, you’ll find a variety of sculptures and art installations. The installation that stands out most is the Fork in the Water.
An 8 metre stainless steel form standing in the water on the shores of Lake Geneva. The sculpture was created in 1995 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Alimentarium, which is a food-themed museum in the town.
Continue walking from Montreux to Villeneuve
If you’re walking the lakeside promenade to Chillon Castle, consider continuing along the shoreline to the town of Villeneuve. In the summer, the gardens along the walkway are vibrant. There’s also a small swimming area. On the return journey, you’ll be treated to a view of Chillon Castle from another perspective.
Visit Lausanne on the way to Montreux
We took a detour on our drive from Bern to Montreux to visit Lausanne. Another city on Lake Geneva, it’s only 30km from Montreux. With a population of around 300,000, Lausanne is the fourth-largest city in Switzerland.
The city is known as the “Olympic Capital” because it is home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters. If you’re interested, there is an Olympic Museum, which we didn’t visit.
Instead, we spent our time in the old town and enjoyed the lakeside views. Highlights for us were:
- Place de la Palud – a charming cobblestone square with its historic 16th-century buildings, and the beautiful fountain with the statue of justice.
- Cathedral of Notre Dame of Lausanne, better known as Lausanne Cathedral. The Gothic Cathedral sits on CitĂ© Hill in the medieval town, which is Lausanne’s major attraction and was constructed between 1170 and 1275.
- Place du Chateau is one of the highest points in Lausanne. The castle of Sainte Marie sits discreetly in the square. Built in the early 15th century, the building now hosts the local government.
- Montebenon Esplanade is often referred to as Lausanne’s “balcony”. It’s an enchanting walkway surrounded by flower gardens, a spectacular fountain and two impressive regal buildings: the Palais of Justice and the Casino de Montebenon. In addition, it has some of the best views of Lake Geneva.
In case you’re interested
Our travels have taken us to other towns and cities in Switzerland, which we believe are worth visiting. Take a look at our recommendations by clicking on the links below.
