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The Swiss Riviera may be one of Switzerland’s best destinations, from castles and museums to Lake Geneva and vineyards.
The Swiss Riviera stretches from Villeneuve to Lutry along the shores of Lake Geneva in southern Switzerland and is one of the most beautiful regions I’ve ever visited. Historic buildings line the streets, paddle steamboats navigate the lake, and mountains ring the shores as far as the eye can see. Given the opportunity to return after a trip to the area last year, I eagerly brought my husband to explore the Swiss Riviera.
Sights in Montreux
Home to the Montreux Jazz Festival , this city of approximately 26,000 attracts music lovers and some of the best musicians in the world for two weeks of performances each summer. But from history to shopping, Montreux has more to offer than just music.
A view of Montreux from the deck of a paddle steamboat. Photo by Teresa Bitler
The Freddie Mercury Statue
Montreux has a long history of drawing musicians to its scenic shores, even before the jazz festival began in 1967. Count legendary rock band Queen among them. In 1978, the group purchased Mountain Studios and recorded seven albums there. Frontman Freddie Mercury loved Montreux so much that he made it his home from 1978 until he died in 1991.
You can take a guided Freddie Mercury tour or drop by Casino Barrière de Montreux, where the studio was initially located. In the actual space where the band recorded, a small museum contains handwritten song lyrics, instruments, costumes, and original equipment.
This 10-foot statue honors one of Montreux’s favorite musicians, rock legend Freddie Mercury. Photo by Teresa Bitler
Or you can make a pilgrimage to the Freddie Mercury statue. Located near the dock for the Belle-Epoque cruises, the 10-foot-tall statue stands, fist held high, looking defiantly over Lake Geneva. Be prepared to wait a while to get a selfie.
Château de Chillon
A short bus ride from the Freddie Mercury statue, Château de Chillon sits on an island just a few feet from shore. The medieval fortress dates back to about 1150 when the Counts of Savoy used it to control the trade routes on Lake Geneva. The Bernese took control of the castle four-hundred years later, followed by the Vaudois in 1798. Today, Château de Chillon is open to the public for tours.
Château de Chillon dates back to the 11th century. Photo by Teresa Bitler
Plan to spend several hours on the self-guided tour, especially if you listen to each room’s audio clip. We wish we had more time. (We lingered so long that the staff turned off the lights behind us.) Highlights for me include the dungeon, the banquet halls, and the defensive positions throughout the castle. Keep in mind that this isn’t very accessible. Steep, sometimes handrail-less staircases lead from one floor to another, and the stone floors present a challenging walking surface.
Belle-Epoque Cruise
Taking two hours out of our day to cruise Lake Geneva felt like a poor use of our time when Jerry suggested it. But the trip was one of my favorite Swiss Riviera experiences. I felt like I stepped back in time when I boarded the steam paddleboat . The scenery was stunning, too, as we looped around the lake. I saw the Swiss Riviera in a new way and fell in love with the Aperol spritzes we sipped along the way.
Tickets cost just CHF 36 or just under $40. However, you can ride for free with a Swiss Travel Pass , which I highly recommend. Because we had a first-class Swiss Travel Pass, we could travel in first class on the paddleboat.
Touring Lake Geneva on a paddle steamboat is a great way to see the Swiss Riviera. Photo by Teresa Bitler
Montreux Jazz Café and Funky Claude’s Bar
If you’re interested in the Montreux Jazz Festival, visit the Fairmont le Montreux Palace . Photographs of past performers line the walls of the Montreux Jazz Café , and clips of past festival performances play on screens throughout the restaurant. You’ll also find memorabilia like Freddy Mercury’s kimono on display. Order the spring chicken made using Quincy Jones’ recipe.
The Fairmont le Montreux Palace is also home to Funky Claude’s Bar . Like the café, Funky Claude’s displays photographs and memorabilia. Come on Friday and Saturday night for live music, and maybe even sit where Freddy Mercury once did. Funky Café was one of the star’s favorite hangouts when it was called Harry’s New York Bar.
Hotels along the Swiss Riviera offer stunning views of Lake Geneva. Photo by Teresa Bitler
Sights in Vevey
Vevey may not have the name recognition of Montreux, but it’s just as charming. Set aside at least one day—if not more—to explore the city where actor Charlie Chaplin spent the last 25 years of his life.
Chaplin’s World
After his exile from the United States for alleged Communist sympathies, Charlie Chaplin resided in the hills overlooking Vevey. His family turned the estate into an interactive museum in 2016. Even though I’m not much of a fan, I had a great time learning about his life, watching clips of his films, and posing in Instagrammable scenes.
Chaplin’s World is divided into two parts. The museum tour begins with a short film about Chaplin. Afterward, the screen pulls away to welcome you to a museum filled with artifacts and recreated moments from his movies. Plan to spend about an hour and a half here.
Chaplin’s World showcases the life and movies of famed actor Charlie Chaplin. Photo by Teresa Bitler
From there, you exit onto the estate. Although you can walk the garden paths, we headed directly into the house, which looks as it did when Chaplin lived there. You can see the study where he wrote books and scripts, his bedroom, and the bathtub. An elevator makes it easy to get between floors in both the house and the museum.
Old City of Vevey
I regret not having more time to explore the Old City of Vevey. Its narrow, car-free streets and colorful buildings make it a perfect destination for shopping or grabbing a coffee. You can also visit several museums, including the Swiss Camera Museum, or walk the Vevey promenade along the lake.
If you are in Vevey during the summer, on a Tuesday or Saturday, go to the farmers market in the Old City. I was lucky enough to stumble across it on a previous visit, and I enjoyed walking past the stands selling produce, spices, and baked goods. On Saturdays in July and August, folklore markets with winemakers and alphorn players replace the farmers’ markets.
The Saturday morning farmers’ market in the Old City of Vevey. Photo by Teresa Bitler
Vineyards of the Swiss Riviera
Planted by monks in the 11th century, the Lavaux Vineyards between Lutry and Vevey are a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. There are several ways to explore these steep, terraced vineyards. You can take a train to the Grandvaux station and walk towards Cully. Along the way, sample some of the local wines. Each village in the region operates a winemaker’s cellar, with local winemakers taking a tour pouring their wines for anyone that drops in.
Or you can book a tour with the Lavaux Express . The small train offers several tours through the vineyards, including some with wine samples. You can also get a bird’s eye view from the Vevey Funicular to Mont-Pelerin.
The Lavaux Vineyards are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo by Teresa Bitler
Another option is to hire a guide. The vineyard tourism agency hosts guided public tours every Sunday from May to October. You can also arrange for a private tour.
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How to Explore the Swiss Riviera
Geneve Airport (GVA) is the closest airport to the Swiss Riviera, although you could also book a flight to Zurich (ZRH). Although you could rent a car, I recommend public transportation during your stay. A train ride from Geneva to the Swiss Riviera will take about a half hour, depending on where you get off. From Zurich, the ride will take about three hours.
I also recommend purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass instead of individual train tickets. The pass gives you free, unlimited use of the public train, bus, or boats for three to 15 consecutive days. Additionally, it allows you free admission to more than 500 museums (although not always the most popular ones). However, many of these museums, like the Olympic Museum in Lausanne , offer discounts to Swiss Travel Pass holders.
It takes roughly 10 minutes to get from Vevey (pictured here) to Montreux. Photo by Teresa Bitler
Summer is the best time to visit, but anytime May through September will be pleasant. Remember that the Montreux Jazz Festival will strain local hotels and restaurants from the end of June through the middle of July. You may want to avoid travel during this period. Otherwise, the summer is an excellent time for hiking and exploring. During the winter, you can ski at nearby ski resorts and stroll local Christmas Markets in December.
Depending on what you what to see and do, plan a minimum of three days visiting the Swiss Riviera. You can see Château de Chillon, Chaplin’s World, and the Lavaux Vineyards in three days. You may also have time for a cruise on one of the steam paddleboats.
This ultimate guide to the Swiss Riviera should help you make the most of your time. If you have a few extra days, visit some smaller museums or nearby Lausanne. You can even plan a day trip to Geneva.
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The Ultimate Guide to the Swiss Riviera
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