Montreux

The beautiful city of Montreux is a municipality in the district of Riviera-Pays-d’Enhaut in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. At the foot of the alps, it boasts mountain views wrapped around the blue waters of the grand Lake Geneva. Steeped in rich culture, home of wine growing vineyards and host of many festivals, it is not surprising Montreux is a destination for those looking for excitement, thrills and something a little magical.
Stretches of walks along the Lake Geneva, from Villeneuve all the way towards the Vevey, is historically and ,for good reason, one of the most beautiful walk/runs for those looking to take in the sights this beautiful city has to offer.

Montreux is a cultural hub for many reason; it’s food, its art and it also hosts several noteworthy festivals.

Montreux festivals

The Septembre musical de Montreux, founded in 1946 and held every year since then.
Freddie Mercury’s Montreux Memorial Day, annually first week-end of September since 2003.

The Montreux Jazz Festival, annually in July since 1967. It is held at the Montreux Music & Convention Center, built in 1973 and has become a global phenomenon.

The Golden Rose Festival, annually in spring (1961–2003), which awarded the Golden Rose of Montreux, an international award for television.

The Golden Award of Montreux, annually in April, is traditionally, since 1989, the first international advertising and multimedia Competition in Europe – starting the global season for awarding creative excellence.

Montreux has a lot to offer for  anyone looking to go to a great festival, marvel at the art or just take in the spectacular sights, it is for this reason that many choose to visit the city of Montreux every year.

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I did not know what to expect when I was visiting Montreux.  Much like other countries I have visited, I already had in my mind huge mountains, cowbells, traditional dresses and clogs. This is not to say Switzerland for me, didn’t provide all these things ( and shamefully I have a cowbell I bought from a little shop with a cliche pattern), but for me Lake Geneva had more of a “french feel” to it, than Swiss. Due sharing a boarder with France, naturally many cultural diversity and traditions may have rubbed off on the Swiss city of Montreux, with inevitable cross border traveling with that comes cultural exchange.
With that said, Montreux was a wonderful way to spend a short Valentines Stay with my partner. Booking our flights cheaply on Easyjet, via Skyscanner for £94.92 (with choose seats) and our hotel Eurotel booked via booking.com at £256, we was all set for our Swiss adventure. Being the first time to Switzerland we was unsure what to expect or hope for, but with out suitcases packed and plane tickets in hand, we were on our way.

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Airport and Car hire

The hotel Eurotel was approx. an hour away from the hotel by car. Hiring a car was difficult for us as we had booked with a firm that needed you to pay with a credit card and we did not have one, therefore we had to wait in the airport asking all the car hire firms until one could give us one.
But nevertheless, eventually, and slightly bereft we hired our car and was happy to find is a wonderful, spacious and new Volkswagen Golf Sportwagen.
Driving from the airport we were greeted with beautiful corn soaked countryside and alpine forest, which reminded me of the English Countryside which, pleasantly, surprised me .

The Hotel

Arriving at the hotel, we were quite tired but excited to see what Montreux had to offer. The hotel staff was amazing, they offered us a free Golden Pass discount card for excursions & travel and we even got a free upgrade- with lake view! 😀

The views from our room and balcony was breathtaking with views of the mountains and the lake.

Leaving our suitcases unpacked, having a quick wash and a change of clothing we went to see what Montreux had to offer.
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Walk Around The Lake

Montreux boasts one of the most picturesque walks along the Lake Geneva, stretching from Villeneuve all the way towards Vevey. As we walked alongside the Lake, we soaked in the all that Montreux had to offer. It really was a sight to behold, the light blue of the water and the spectacular views of the cloud cast mountains being that of stunning beauty.

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Armed with a cheese toasted sandwich which we bought from a little shop by our hotel, we made our way into the centre of the town…..

Beautiful quaint shops cafe’s and restaurants lined the pavement and was great for picking up unique, quirky little souvenirs…

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Les Jardins du Palace, Montreux, Switzerland

As we were walking through the lovely picturesque streets of Montreux we stumbled across an gorgeous sculptural garden full of character called Les Jardins du Palace. It made for a fun surprise.

The sculptures aligned within the garden is indicative  of the art you see in and around Montreux

The Art Of Montreux

The one things you can see when exploring Montreux is the huge art scene this amazing, diverse city has to offer.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces of art I had seen in and around Montreux.

I particularly liked the bronzed ladies, frolicking around the greenery by the lake…

The art adorned the beautiful Lake Geneva and accentuated the beauty of Montreux and the Lake.

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Lake Geneva

The beautiful lake of Geneva, known to locals as Lac Léman , sits at the north-side of the Alps, East of Geneva and is shared between Switzerland and France. Being one of the largest lakes in Western Europe, with it’s spectacular mountain views and picturesque villages, it is a perfect destination for tourists and locals alike.
Interestingly, and one of the reasons I chose to visit Lake Geneva, is that it is almost 50/50 shared between the two countries it aligns; 59.53% (133.32 sq miles) of it comes under the jurisdiction of Switzerland- cantons of Vaud, Geneva, and Valais, and 40.47% (90.62 sq miles) comes under France.
Pretty small towns and beautiful vineyards grace the Lavaux region on the Swiss side of the lake making it both beautiful and steeped in cultural significance.
Due to its different lake formations Lake Geneva is divided into three parts;
Haut Lak (Upper Lake ) which is the eastern part from the Rhône estuary to the line of Meillerie–Rivaz, Grand Lak ( Large Lake) which is the largest and deepest basin with the lake’s largest width and Petit Lak (the Small Lake) which is, the most south-west, narrower and less deep part from Yvoire–Promenthoux next Prangins to the exit in Geneva.
Lake Geneva is the largest body of water in Switzerland, with the lake being a stunning view for all to see and is the heart of the place I visited Montreux.
Adorned by the mountains, Montreux truly is the city of dreams.

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After a tiring day exploring Montreux and the Beautiful Lake Geneva we sat down with a well and truely deserve glass of wine and soaked in the view of the Sunset, from our balcony…

It’s safe to say with views like that we did not want to go to bed.

As we watched the pink and orange sun set turn slowly turn to black we knew get ourselves down for the night to wake up nice and fresh for our Pleasure Cruise the next day.

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Booking Excursions

Passenger Ferries and Pleasure Cruises On Lake Geneva, operated by CGN.

For well over a century, Tourists have been enjoying pleasure cruises on Lake Geneva . The most breathtaking boat cruises on Lake Geneva is operated by CGN’s Mobilité passenger ferries. Operating from from Lausanne or Vevey their cruises offer visitors a chance to sit back and relax whilst taking in the the sights of Chateau De Chillion castle, the Lavaux vineyards and the Alps.

Foundered in 1873, CGN also known as Compagnie Générale de Navigation, offers frequent departures from Genève, Lausanne, Montreux, Evian, Nyon (and other smaller towns). Creating a fun and luxurious way to connect Swiss cities on the northern shores of Lake Geneva and French cities on the southern shores. During the operational three main seasons, winter (mid-October to mid-April), summer (mid-June to mid-September) and shoulder seasons spring from mid-April to mid-June) and autumn (mid-September to mid-October), Lake Geneva ferries and cruise boats boasts beautiful yet convenient travel. When taking in mind no car ferries operate on Lake Geneva and regular bus services and trains are rather limited on the southern French side of Lac Lemn, this form of transport is often the best way to travel to and around many french towns.

CGN’s Lake Geneva Passenger ferries operate on three routes on Lake Geneva between Switzerland and France:
Lausanne – Evian (35 minutes, 26 times per day)
Lausanne – Thonon (50 minutes, 28 times per day)
Nyon – Yvoire (20 minutes, 35 times per day)

Lake Geneva’s passenger ferries cruise boats offers Sightseeing pleasure cruises and lunch & dinner cruises which depart frequently from Genève, Lausanne, Montreux, Evian, Nyon and has become a cheap but integral part of Lac Leman public transportation whilst being favored by, not only, tourist & leisure travelers but also by the locals.

There are two types of boats that CGN offers visitors the chance to sample, The Montreux bateau and the La Suisse Bateau. Both being Belle Époque paddle steamers in a two class configuration.
The beautiful “Montreux”, built 1904, is the oldest boat in regular operation, It’s impressive length of 68.3 m boasts a power of 884hp and can hold a capacity of 560 people on it boughs. Very impressive if you ask me.
Equally as impressive, but effortlessly elegant the second boat CGN fleet has to offer is the La Suisse. Built in 1910, it is known as the grande dame of the CGN fleet. With a holding capacity of 850 people it can hold more than it’s fellow boat Montreux. It is also longer in length measuring 78.5m and can get up to a staggering 1400hp!

The restaurants on board

I found, during our stay, Switzerland has not been cheap, therefore with this in mind we must appreciate the fact the restaurants on board the Belle Époque steamers is equivalent to that of any restaurant in Switzerland. With that said, what restaurant can boast the changing scenery the sail has to offer!?

Although not essential, reservations are recommended on SS La Suisse Restaurant . Although reservations are essential during the special dinner cruises on the shoulder and winter.
Although if the restaurant is full, cake, drinks and coffee is also available and for those on more of a budget or preferring a more personable approach, bringing your own picnic is allowed on the open decks.

Buying a ticket

Personally, I found that the boat trip added to my experience of Lake Geneva, but although cruising on Lake Geneva is not cheap, other Swiss transportation system and Swiss Railways discounts can be applied. Special daily card tickets allow for unlimited CGN boat travel on a day while almost all Swiss Railway passes and discount tickets are valid including the budget saving Junior Card for children. Also note, Same-day return tickets are also slightly cheaper than two one-way tickets. It is a great little day out for couples, parents with children or just people trying to soak up the sights.
Seeking the same adventure, I bought our tickets for 18CHF each, with a Golden Pass discount I got from my hotel.

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Our experience

I was so excited to board the impressive, beautiful boat that met us at our port of Montreux. Not being a regular boat passenger, the beautiful almost titanic like paintwork and rustic nautical theme was really emphasized with the beautiful views the Lake had to offer.

We chose to sit outside on the front of this magical beast.

Insane as this was in the bitter cold of the alp clad tides we braved the icy gusts for the chance to delve into the magical world of Lake Geneva. Dressed in every jumper, coat and woolly little number we could find, we sat huddled together (not just for romance but also for body heat) and watched as the boat consumed the miles of water as we consumed the views, in awe of the mountains, the blue of the water and the beckoning clasps of water that caught our breath way.

Château de Chillon

Within the lake sits the stunning island castle Château de Chillon, making Mountreux the picture of a fairy tale.
Château de Chillon is situated at the eastern end of the lake, on the narrow shore between Montreux and Villeneuve, right at the foot of the alps and gives access to the Alpine valley of the Rhone. Unsurprisingly, Chillion is among the most visited castles in Switzerland and Europe. Much like many castles, it was built as a natural protection and was placed in a strategic location, to control the passage between northern and southern Europe.
Excavations carried out at the end of the 19th century, has confirmed that this site has been occupied since the Bronze Age. Although the oldest written document mentioning the castle dates all the way back to 1150.
The castle, much like many other castles, has had heavy reconstruction and adaptations and has been a product of many centuries of transform and building, but with this comes a lot of character and makes it a perfect, picturesque piece of history and is beloved by the locals.
It is not surprising that has always inspired films such as The Little Mermaid (my childhood favorite!) and artists and writers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo and Lord Byron.

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The interior of the boat

After a few hours, being the only ones left outside and sure to have had a few perplexed looks from others on the boat, we could brave the chill no longer. Entering the boats hub we was embraced by the warmth of not only the heat but also the beautiful wooden interior itself.

Down-lighting and an impeccably designed room made the views outside stand out. Although, nothing can beat being at the front of a boat Kate-Winslet-in-Titanic-style, it amazing looking out at the magical world that Lake Geneva has to offer. Snug inside whilst viewing the beautiful alp mountains and the ever changing blue waters, being in the comfort of the boat, the warmth of the boats belly, with a drink in hand, was a joy.

I can say without a doubt sailing the waters of Geneva, taking in the magical, almost dream like stunningly beautiful views of the mountains made a lasting impression on not only my memories but also my heart. I could not recommend it enough, for anyone coming to Lake Geneva to board these stunning buses of the waters and make memories of their own, the expense is nothing when you think of the wealth of memories taking in Lake Geneva from so close has to offer.

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Mount Rochers De Naye Summit with The Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye railway

The next day, after such a stunning view of the mountains via the boat, we found an excursion that takes us up the most prominent mountain that graces lake Geneva, Rochers de Naye, via train.

With an impressive height of 2,042 m Mount Rochers de Naye is a mountain of the Swiss Alps, near Montreux and Villeneuve, in the canton of Vaud.
Rochers de Naye simply translated mean rocks of Naye (no guesses for why it is named that) and the mountain itself lies on the range separating the basin of Lake Geneva from the valley of the Sarine, on the watershed between the Rhone and the Rhine.
Many people choose to take on the rather difficult climb up the mountain.
Although when I return I hope to also add Rochers De Naye to my list of mountains I have conquered, this time I joined the many, like myself that choose for the simpler, lazier and still incredibly scenic option of the train to the summit of Rochers De Naye.
Train journey

Opened in 1892 , The Montreux–Glion–Rochers-de-Naye railway (MGN), is an electrically operated rack railway and connects the resort of Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva, with the summit of the Rochers de Naye mountain. Being Easily accessible from Montreux, the train station is only a short walk from the town center and is located in Montreux Gare Gare de Montreux, Avenue des Alpes 74, 1820 Montreux.
Map
Originally built as two separate lines, the Glion–Rochers-de-Naye railway (GN) and the Montreux–Glion railway (MGI). The railway now uses electric cogwheel trains and allows passenger the chance to travel up the mountain via the village of Glion, on the mountainside above Montreux. Operating throughout the year, it is a great way to take in the beautiful scenery from a different perspective and is a great day out/excursion for a romantic train ride for couples, a prime spot for adventure seekers & sightseers, a fun educational experience for children and a quiet piece of heaven for lone travelers.

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Our experience

For us it really was a day and experience we would never forget. At this time I had never been up a mountain, I was so very excited purchasing the tickets for the train ride. With A ticket to the summit costing 25.80 CHF each, with a discount of my Golden Pass from my hotel. Personally, for me, it was a small price to pay for such a bucket list experience.
Waiting for the train wasn’t long at all and with the hourly services in each direction, I found not many people entered the train when we did.

Sitting down in our seat across from each other, I could not contain my excitement. With the mini murmur of the trains engines starting, excitement built within me as I prepared to take on this epic train journey.

Almost immediately, the train begins a steep climb,
straight away you are in darkness as the train enters one of its many tunnels throughout its journey.

Leaving the tunnel we were met with the amazing sight of the beautiful view of Lake Geneva visable from both sides of the train. Which side to sit really can not be determined by me as both sides equally, had the most amazing views. Winding around, granting us views of the elegant city of Montreux below, we made our way to the first port of call The Station of Gilion, 300 m above the city of Montreux.

Exiting Gilon the workshops and depot are alongside the line, with the main shops accessed from a traverse set off a loop line alongside the main line and is a wonderful first view of what is is like to work and live by the railroad.

Leaving the urbanized area of Montreux, A green sea of Alpine meadows grace the mountainside, along with little Swiss Chalets and quaint houses almost a poetic scenic display dense in Swiss heritage.

As we continued higher up the mountain, our train almost straining to ascend the altitude of the beast of the mountain, we journeyed to the the small beautiful village of Caux, laced in beautiful wild growing flowers of narcissus, forget-me-nots and other foliage that calls this forest home.
Outside rolling hills, trees and widespread views of the city below dazzles the eyes of anyone that has the privilege to see such grace.

The higher we go, making our way up glancing at the little Chalets that could be on the cover of a Swiss postcard… passing quaint little houses and beautiful train stations the sight bestowed on us it that of simple beauty.

High up in the sky, floating through the clouds that seem to lace the surrounding hills and ice the alpine forest, I had never in my life seen anything close to the views we had to offer.

No amount of money could ever be too much for the experience of such a beautiful train ride.

Sadly, our journey had come to the end. 1968 meters up, higher than I had ever been before, the train stopped at the upper terminus of Rochers De Naye Summit Station. A less than 5 minute short walk to the observation platform and we was 2024m atop the mountain and on the summit. Exciting stuff!

The Restaurant

The Restaurant Plein Roc atop the mountain offered a great, if not expensive option for both hikers and train riders. Tired, and sure all the excitement had burnt off at least a few calories, I was famished.

Ordering a burger, costing us approx £25GPB and a nice cold beer at 6chf, we took our seats in the restaurant, with windows onlooking the spectacular view. The burger was the best we had ever tasted! I am not sure if the views somehow heightened our senses but I had never ate such a tasty, moist, burger. But for the price I would prefer the whole cow!

We took our drinks to the seating area outside overlooking the dream-like views. High up in the mountains, far from where we had set off panoramic breathtaking views over Lake Geneva and across the French alps, greeted us as far as the eyes could see. I had never felt more at peace of more far away from home.

Almost in silence, with the mountains surrounding us, looking like a carpet of the heavens, we sipped our beers and fell in love with Geneva a little bit more.

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The last day of our Swiss Adventure, sitting on the balcony drinking an Earl Tea and looking out at the stunning views of Montreux and Lake Geneva, I knew this place would always hold a little place in my heart. The journey may have been cold but with views like this my heart warmed inside.

Montreux- The city of Lake Geneva, Mountains, Boats and a whole lot of jazz!

This is a new one

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