On the second day of my Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, I visited the beautiful city of Montreux. If you want more information on the Grand Train Tour, please take a look at my previous post at this link.
Before this trip, Montreux wasn’t on my radar for cities to visit. It is now high on my list to return to for further exploration.
About Montreux
Montreux is in the French speaking region of Switzerland, nestled between the Alps and the shores of Lake Geneva in the Swiss Canton of Vaud. The city belongs to the Riviera-Pays-d’Enhaut district. The affiliation with the district has led to the area surrounding the city to be referred to as the Montreux Riviera.
Historically, Montreux has been a city for trade and migration dating back to the times of the Roman Empire. Montreux’s location and climate made it ideal for the growing of grapes, leading to the development of a rich wine making industry. The nearby Lavaux Vinyards have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Today, Montreux is a vibrant city melding its modern vibe with its historical elegance. Montreux embraces the arts in its city identity, from the rich music scene, including the annual September Music festival and the Montreux Jazz festival every summer, to the sculptures that align the promenade.
Where to Stay
I stayed at the elegant grand Hotel Eden Palace Du Lac, Rue du Théâtre 11,
1820 Montreux. This 4-Star hotel is only a 15-minute walk from the train station, located along the shores of Lake Geneva. Lake view rooms are worth the upgrade, as the view is magnificent. The lakeside of the hotel is away from the road, so it eliminates street noise. It is conveniently located to restaurants, the Promenade, and the Casino Barriere Montreux.
Other Hotels
5 Star – Royal Plaza Montreux Avenue Claude Nobs 7, 1820 Montreux, Switzerland
4 Star – Eurotel Montreux Grand Rue 81, 1820 Montreux, Switzerland
3 Star – Villa Toscane Rue du Lac 2/8, 1820 Montreux, Switzerland
City benefits for hotel guests
Guests will be provided a “Montreux Riviera Card” when they check into their hotel. The taxes collected by the city provide for the card. The card extends the following benefits: Free public transportation (bus/train/funicular), 50% discount on museums, and the Chateau de Chillon, and 20% off boat trips and regional trains (2nd class) tickets.
What to do:
There is a lot to do in Montreux, but given my short time in the city, I had to prioritize. I’ll detail my experience and list some others that can highlight a short visit to the city.
The Chateau de Chillon.
A visit to the Chateau de Chillon was on the top of my list. Sitting on a small island just a short distance from the city, this magnificent fortress is a great place to visit. The full expanse of the fortress, from the dungeons to the bed chambers, is open to visitors. Visitors can appreciate the history and imagine the daily life in the castle, as well as understand the role it played in times of war and unrest.
Guided and self-guided tours are available.
As an Army veteran, I appreciated the collection of armaments, handheld weapons, and suits of armor.
Tickets: The online ticket prices are as follows: Kids between the ages of 6-15 are 7 CHF (Swiss Francs), adults are 13.50 CHF. A family ticket is 35CHF (2 adults and 2-5 kids between 6-15 years old). This does not take into consideration the discounted rate with the Montreux Riviera Card.
The Promenade
Everyone appreciates a low (or no) cost activity on vacation. Taking a stroll along the promenade is a perfect way to appreciate the city. This Promenade runs along the lake through Montreux to The Chateau. Restaurants, parks, and an array of sculptures line the path. The Promenade is also a great place for appreciating the sunset.
The line of sculptures is a fantastic open-air museum. Artists leveraged different media to construct their vision. The pieces complemented the view, with many incorporating, or emphasizing, the lake as part of the piece.
The Promenade is also a starting place for experiencing the lake itself. There are places to rent paddle boats or take a cruise on one of the many sightseeing vessels.
Other things to do in Montreux.
Casino Barriere Montreux
Casino offers an array of games, restaurants/bars and a free museum dedicated to the rock band Queen.
Nightlife
There are many jazz bars and clubs around the city to keep your toes tapping to the beat.
Chaplin’s World
Manor house outside Vevey where Charlie Chaplin spent the last 25 years of his life. A Museum dedicated to Chaplin and his films. Entrance fee is 20 CHF online, 29 CHF at the door.
As I stated at the beginning of this post, Montreux was never high on my list of places to visit, but I can’t wait until I get the opportunity to go back. There is so much more to see, but the limited time I had on the rail tour was just enough to whet the appetite.
If you want to experience an elegant city full of history and contemporary vibrance, visit Montreux!
Travel well! Pursue experiences.
O.M.I.A.H.