A Visit to Montreux and Chillon Castle, Montreux, Switzerland

Montreux, nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva with a stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps, is a lovely place to visit and a really easy day trip to do from Lausanne. As I was house sitting nearby for two gorgeous cats, I thought I’d sneak out and pay a visit.

The town of Montreux is probably most well-known for its Jazz Festival, which takes place in July; however, it’s a beautiful place to visit and definitely less crowded on a sunny winter’s day. 

The song Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple was inspired by a fire that took place during a Frank Zappa performance in Montreux in 1971, which burned down the venue, sending smoke across Lake Geneva. 

The walk alongside the lake is beautiful. If you’re planning to visit Chillon Castle, which I highly recommend you do and it’s a sunny day, walk there. It’s a really lovely 40-minute stroll, and you’ll be glad you did. There are a couple of cute coffee spots along the way to take a break and enjoy the scenery. 

Chillon Castle, a 13th-century fortress, is Switzerland’s most visited historical building and is widely considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval European castles. I have seen a few castles in my lifetime, but this is definitely my new favourite.  ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).