Montreux Travel guide, Montreux hotels, vacation
The city of Montreux is at the other end of Lake Geneva.
Montreux is a resort town, with a nice lakefront and a casino, the one best sight lies just to the south.
It is easy to see why Montreux, with its magnificent scenery reflected in the shimmering waters of placid Lake Geneva, has acquired the title of the 'The Pearl of the Swiss Riviera'.
Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and surrounded by the majestic Swiss and French Savoy Alps, the region is blessed with a particularly mild climate. Take a pleasant stroll along the banks of the lake where exotic flowers grow in proliferation and white swans glide gracefully past. Or enjoy a sumptuous meal of fresh lake fish and delicious local wine, in one of the many terrace restaurants overlooking the lake. Small secluded beaches and picturesque marinas with yachts and old steamboats afford a picture-perfect view of vineyards and quaint old stone-housed villages.
Montreux Travel guide, Montreux hotels - holidays in Switzerland
Montreux Travel information
Chillon Castle is built on a small island not much more than a large rock) on the edge of Lake Geneva. This is one of Europe's best and most interesting castles. Although it doesn't have prominent high towers and turrets that you might think of when you think of a castle, it has all sorts of interesting things to see on the inside - grand rooms with old furnishings, dungeons and prisons, defensive walls with loopholes for defense by bow, and the obligatory keep (highly defended central tower) and central courtyards. It began in the middle ages, with several enlargements and revisions over the centuries.
In the Grand Hall of the castle, the columns are 13th century oak, the fireplace is 15th century (note the white cross above the fireplace, the same white cross that's part of Switzerland's flag today).
The Bonivard's Prison in the lower part of the castle, named for Bonivard who was held prisoner here, chained to the 5th pillar for 4 years. The poet Byron carved his name on the 3rd pillar. Also down here are a crypt, former arms storehouses, secret passages, a chapel, and evidence of modifications (doorways that have been closed off, etc.) and remnants of earlier structures that were either changed or destroyed in an earthquake in 1584.
Montreux Sights, sightseeing, culture:
Many international events take place at the Montreux Convention and Exhibition Centre. The most internationally renowned one is the leading European Jazz Festival, that first took place in 1967 and from that moment on, has attracted all the famous jazz and pop music greats.
Montreux features a large number of luxurious villa-style hotels built at the turn of the century and beautifully refurbished. Nothing has been overlooked. For guests who love the nightlife, there a fabulous clubs, cabarets and bars in which to wile away the after dark hours, or the famous Casino where you can try your hand at Grand Jeu, Roulette, Blackjack and Baccarat.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Elegant resort town wedged between mountains and Lake Geneva
Palm trees flourish in mild microclimate in this lakeside area (known as the "Riviera")
SIGHTS AND ATTRACTIONS
Well-known, medieval Chillon Castle (on lake's edge; made famous by poet Lord Byron)
Beautiful views of Lake Geneva and Alps from this town built on steep slope
Attractive lakeshore (hotels and palaces)
Montreux International Jazz Festival
Montreux luxury hotels 5*:
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Montreux Hotel 4*Montreux budget hotels 3*:
Montreux Hotel 3*
Montreux Hotel 3*Selection of GUT rated hotels in Montreux:
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