Montreux
Fly here
The Lake Geneva riviera, jazz and Chillon Castle.
From the basket
At the eastern end of Lake Geneva, Montreux stretches out at the foot of the mountains, on a well-sheltered shore. From the balloon you can see its hotels and villas lined up along the lake, with the slopes rising behind them towards the Rochers-de-Naye. Shielded from the bise by the mountains at its back, the shore enjoys a mild, almost Mediterranean climate.
Follow the quay southwards and you come to Chillon Castle, set on a rock at the water’s edge. Its towers and pointed roofs are reflected in the lake, with the mouth of the Rhône valley in the background. It is one of the best-known images in all of Switzerland.
Music is part of the town’s history. A great jazz festival was born here in 1967 and brings the quays to life every summer. Several famous albums were recorded in Montreux studios, and musicians all over the world know its name.
Fly along the quayside promenade from Vevey to Chillon, then head back up to the heights, where the rack trains climb to the mountain pastures.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Montreux” (in French).
All around
- Lake Geneva, close by, to the west
- Moléson, 2002 m, 15 km to the north-east
- Gruyères, 21 km to the north-east
- Lausanne, 24 km to the north-west
- Glacier 3000, 25 km to the south-east
To discover around Montreux
Across the vineyards by train
The “Train des vignes” (vineyard train) runs on a fantastic route through the terraced vineyards of Lavaux, the landscape high above Lake Geneva designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, with views of the Savoy and Valais Alps.
Caux natural ice rink
The natural ice rink in the small village of Caux, which is accessible in 20 minutes by train from Montreux, welcomes ice skaters in an idyllic location.
Freddie Mercury Statue in Montreux
On the shores of Lake Geneva stands the three-metre-high bronze statue of Freddie Mercury. You can see the late Queen singer in his legendary pose from the Wembley concert in 1986 – with a microphone and a raised fist.
Les Avants toboggan run
The small, historical ski resort of Les Avants with its charming exterior is easily accessible in a few minutes from Montreux and boasts a 2.5km-long toboggan run.
Montreux Ice Rink - skating on the shores of Lake Geneva
This 300 m2 ice rink in the Montreux market hall may be used free of charge and is open from early January to mid-April.
Montreux Noël – Christmas Market
On the waterfront of Montreux, more than 170 festively illuminated chalets on Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) are lined up. You'll taste vin chaud, find Christmas presents and experience the flying Santa Claus over the water.
Quays of Montreux
The Quays of Montreux extend over thirteen kilometers along the shores of Lake Geneva. Here, walkers can admire the exotic flowers and palm trees while also enjoying the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.
Trains in the Swiss Riviera Region
Discover the Swiss Riviera by cogwheel train and funicular from Montreux and Vevey.
Source: Switzerland Tourism — myswitzerland.com, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.