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Switzerland Destination Information and Travel Reservation Services
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Montreux Attractions and Activities Montreux's location on the shores of Lake Geneva, and on the foot of Alpine foothills makes it an ideal base from where to explore numerous places of interest. There are some mountain villages nearby, and the popular resorts in the Valais and the Bernese Oberland also are close. Lake Geneva invites for steamboat cruises and activities in and on the water, and scenic trains are leaving from Montreux taking visitors to the nearby summits, offering panoramic views of the Alps, Lake Geneva and its cities. Montreux is a great destination for tourists looking for relaxed excursions as well as interesting activities - here some examples: Book Online:
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Half- or Full-day Excursion. In just 45 minutes, the cogwheel train climbs 1,600 metres (approx. 5,200 ft) from Montreux to the Rochers-de-Naye summit offering fantastic panoramic views over Lake Geneva from Montreux all the way to Geneva (including its famous fountain), and the Alps (on a clear day from the Mont-Blanc in the southwest to the Eiger in the east !) All year round, the Rochers-de-Naye offers several interesting sights and activities such as the 
Half- or Full-day exursion. The charming cogwheel train departs from the Vevey railway station, and for approx. 40 minutes the “Star Train” with panoramic windows climbs steeply its way through the Vevey heights towards the village of Blonay and then up to Les Pléiades. Whether ascending from Blonay or descending from the upper station towards the plain, there are numerous well marked trails for hikers, (nordic) walkers or mountain bikers. Les Pléiades is a real paradise for sports lovers, especially for paragliding enthusiasts and mountain bikers, and for those who enjoy mountain scooters.
Half- or Full-day excursion. A funicular climbs for 11 minutes from Vevey to the Mt. Pelerin traveling through the Lavaux vineyards to the picturesque winegrower’s village of Chardonne, and passing through green forests and meadows to the foothills of Mont Pèlerin. You will find several walking and hiking paths - either back to Vevey (an idyllic 3-hours walk) or to the Mt. Pelerin summit (at 1,080 m / 3,542 ft) where the "Plein Ciel Lift" takes visitors to the top of the Telecom Tower, 65 metres above ground, to discover a spectacular panorama: from Lake Geneva to the Jorat Forest, passing by the Rhone Valley, the fields of the Swiss plateau and the Vevey vineyards.
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 1/2 hours by train from Montreux to Zermatt railway station). The journey takes you through the Rhone Valley and then, on the 
Full-day excursion (approx. 80 minutes by train from Montreux to Gstaad). Take the scenic train 
Half-day excursion (approx. 5-10 minutes from Montreux). The Old Town of Vevey is dotted with historical monuments and museums bearing witness to its rich heritage. In addition, a large variety of boutiques and craftsmen can be found in the narrow paved streets, displaying their know-how and wares. The pedestrian zone of the Old Tity, the lakeside, and the market (Tuesday and Saturday mornings) in the Grande Place (the heart of the old city), are well worth a browse. On the Quai Perdonnet you will find the statue of the famous Charlie Chaplin, who lived at Corsier-sur-Vevey for 25 years.
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 25 minutes by train from Montreux). Lausanne is one of Switzerland's secret destinations, renowned for its elegance, the historic Old Town with the well preserved Gothic Cathedral and the Olympic Committee headquarters. Lausanne is a city waiting to be discovered at every turn: monuments, architecture, flower-bedecked quays, parks and gardens. The city hosts two dozen museums of note - remarkable certainly the 
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 70 minutes by train from Montreux). Known for being headquarters for many international organizations, Geneva also features the world's tallest fountain, the Jet d'Eau, Cathedrals, the University, the Opera and numerous museums and libraries. Check out the Horology Museum that highlights the importance of clock and watch making to the Genevan economy.
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 90 minutes by train from Montreux). Founded in 1191, this is a city of medieval magic, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. Attractions of Bern include several historic sites such as the famous Clock Tower, the bearpits (home to the city's heraldic animals), the House of Parliament, the Paul Klee Center, the Swiss Alpine Museum, and excellent shopping arcades. Consider returning to Montreux from Bern via Thun (incl. stopover) and taking the 
Full-day excursion (approx. 2 hours by train from Montreux). Thun (pronounced "Toon") is one of the most original towns in Switzerland. It occupies an admirable site with magnificent views of the Bernese Alps and is much overlooked by visitors pressing on to Interlaken. With its picturesque castle, the quaint medieval Old Town, and Lake Thun, one of the loveliest and largest lakes in Switzerland, Thun is well worth a visit. Consider taking the 
Full-day excursion (approx. 3 hours by 
In a unique setting on the shores of Lake Geneva, on a rocky islet stands one of the most beautiful historic monuments in Switzerland - the Castle of Chillon. Built in the 13th century on older foundations, the castle was the residence of the Counts of Savoy to control the passage along Lake Geneva. The Castle of Chillon was also used as an arsenal, prison, and temporary residence of the Dukes of Savoy. It was made popular by Lord Byron, who in 1816 wrote the poem "The Prisoner of Chillon" about François de Bonivard, a Genevois monk and politician who was imprisoned there from 1530 to 1536. Many prominent figures in history stayed at the Castle of Chillon: emperors, popes and princesses, and today more than 300,000 tourists visit this sight yearly.
The Lavaux vineyards are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lavaux consists of terraces on steep slopes all the way down to Lake Geneva, covering an area of 830 hectares and stretching 40 km along the shores of Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux. Visitors can explore Lavaux on board of two little trains on rubber tires (
Half- or Full-day excursion (approx. 40 minutes by car, 75 minutes by train from Montreux). The small village of Gruyeres is very charming and is easily reachable from Montreux. You can walk the cobblestone road to the old castle and visit the 
At the Alpine Garden on the summit of Rochers-de-Naye, nearly 1,000 Alpine plant species are protected and cultivated, among which there are two types of Edelweiss and 600 local varieties. The altitude and the short flowering period intensifies their scent and their colours.
Marmots’ paradise is located near the arrival point of the cogwheel train on Rochers-de-Naye. This park presents European, Asian and American marmot species in predator-safe enclosures. The animals can be observed in their natural habitat. In addition, an exhibition of marmot species from around the world alows visitors, among other things, to discover the inside of a burrow.
Board a steam- or motorboat for a Gourmet Cruise or a wonderful trip to the Chillon Castle, to Vevey, Le Bouveret, Lausanne or even to France. Check the 
The Seniors Movement (MDA) of Montreux organises guided tours of one to two hours. Those interested can go on walks between the lake and the old city to discover the little-known aspects of Montreux. On Wednesday through Saturday leaving at 10 AM from the Montreux Tourist Office (Price: CHF 10.00 / adult, CHF 5.00 / child to be paid on location directly to the guide).
Montreux is an excellent location for leisure hiking and (nordic) walking. The greater region features many trails - in the hills and mountains providing fantastic views over the Lake Geneva Region, or in the vineyards including several winegrowers villages, or along Lake Geneva. Free brochures with suggestions and detailed hiking maps are available at the local tourist offices.
With its ideal location on the shores of Lake Geneva, Montreux provides for numerous sports activities in and on the water such as:
The Aquaparc in Le Bouveret near Montreux is a true tropical oasis on the lakeshore of Lake Geneva. It offers countless toboggans with varying levels of difficulty, an area reserved for children taking them to the world of pirates (with a wave pool and a river descent in a rubber ring), and for the older people, there are, whirlpools, saunas, a tropical bath, fitness and massages.
There are several golf courses and clubs in the Montreux Riviera region, such as the Lavaux Golf Club in Puidoux near Vevey, or the Montreux Golf Cub in Aigle; get detailed information at the local tourist offices.
include indoor sports such as Badminton, Squash and Tennis, Billard, Pool and Bowling, and Fitness; outdoor leisure activities such as Fishing, Horseback Riding, Beach Volleyball, Minigolf, Inline-Skating, Cycling or Mountain-Biking (routes at Les Pleiades and Mt. Pelerin); or adventure sports such as Mountaineering, Sky Diving, Paragliding, Hydrospeed or Scuba Diving.
Montreux is not known as a resort for great winter sports - however, it offers several options in the heights above the town, and in addition, Montreux is ideally located for making day excursions to some great ski resorts nearby in the Alps Vaudois, the Bernese Oberland and the Valais.
At Les Pleiades, there are three varied laps of 3.5 km / 2.2 miles, 7.5 km / 4.65 miles and 15 km / 9.3 miles, with flat as well as moderate downhill and uphill sections, through an exceptionally beautiful area (technically quite difficult). There's also a trail of 7.5 km / 4.65 miles above Montreux, at Haut de Caux (Rochers-de-Naye station).
Mont-Pèlerin: 6.2 km / 3.85 miles (2.5 hours)
include indoor sports such as Badminton, Squash and Tennis, Billard, Pool and Bowling, Fitness and swimming (indoor pools); outdoor leisure activities such as Hiking (well marked trails in the Montreux heights), Sledging - on Les Pleiades and Rochers-de-Naye, and the nearby ski resorts, and Ice Skating on the artificial ice rink in Vevey or the natural ice rink in Caux above Montreux.
The Montreux Riviera region is a paradise for gourmets; with its 20 restaurants registered in Guide Michelin and GaultMillau, this region is one of the most famous destinations for culinary art. 
The Casino Montreux is centrally located in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva. As Switzerland’s first casino, it offers all the cards to spend an unforgettable evening: over 380 coin machines and 25 gaming tables for amusement, three restaurants, two theme bars and some festive activities. The Casino also has three banquet and seminar rooms, able to welcome up to 1500 people, with an unbeatable view of the lake and the Alps.
Montreux: The shopping experience in Montreux includes boutiques with the latest creations from Paris and Milan, the Forum Mall hosting a large range of shops, several Swiss watches and knives stores and souvenir vendors.
Major stores and specialist shops are open Monday to Friday from 8 or 8:30 AM to 6:30 or 6:45 PM, and on Saturdays until 5 PM. Shops are closed on Sundays, except for some baker's and grocer's.
Montreux: Covered Market on Friday mornings (7 AM to 1 PM); Flea Market on the lakeside from April - October (8 AM to 5 PM); Car Trunk Market in Clarens on the 1st Saturday of the month from April - November (6 AM to 4 PM).
Created in 1967, over the years the Montreux Jazz Festival has become the undeniable rallying point for music lovers from Switzerland and abroad. From Miles Davis to Ray Charles, and including David Bowie or Prince, all the greats have appeared on its various stages. The Montreux Jazz Festival offers something for every taste: from concerts in the Stravinski or Miles Davis Halls to the Off-Festival in the Parc Verney, including workshops or the MDH Club, the whole town vibrates to the sound of music for two weeks.
The Cully Jazz Festival transforms the charming winemaking township into a jazz mecca. All around the main stages, this festival also provides the occasion for a stroll through the village to taste the various vintages.... of music in the neighbouring cellars and cafés: New Orleans jazz, blues, piano-bar atmospheres, modern jazz, rock, French songs or the fusion of electronic sounds with jazz. Almost 70 concerts of famous artists and rising stars are organised in these venues, both typical and unusual.
The primary objective of the Montreux Choral Festival is to bring together choral groups from a broad range of countries, in friendly competition, for the greatest pleasure of lovers of singing. An international jury comprising personalities from the music world is responsible for deciding between the best performances and for awarding the highly coveted Jury's Prize.
Established in 2007, the Montreux Sundance Festival is without doubt the Swiss electronic music scene's event not to be missed. Taking place in an idyllic setting, within the Montreux Music & Convention Centre (2m2c), the festival offers three stages and over 40 international artists incuding the greatest names in electronic music, such as Bob Sinclar, David Guetta, Erik Morillo or Martin Solveig.
Offered since 1946, the September Musical is one of the biggest classical music events in Europe. On the programme are symphonies, famous operas, chamber music and piano recitals at the Stravinski Auditorium in Montreux, at the Vevey Theatre, as well as at the Chillon Castle.
The Montreux town center is transformed, for the space of a weekend, into a genuine winter resort with a snow park on the waterfront. Around 60 freestyle skiers and snowboarders, including around 20 professionals, take part in a high-flying event. Once evening falls, the floodlights allow the festivities to continue, followed by a concert in a town venue.
The Montreux Volley Masters offers a great show, by getting together the world's eight best women's volleyball teams on the shores of Lake Geneva. In parallel with the professional tournament, the Montreux Volley Masters also organises the largest youth sporting gathering in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, bringing together no less than 1,300 youngsters within the framework of the mini-volley encounters.
In the heart of the old quarter, a group of old wine-growers houses from the 17th century accommodate this museum which presents collections of numerous and varied objects such as coins, cooper stamps, tools for planing and carpentry, traditional utensils, and more. The museum also proposes a presentation about four topics: history, farming, tourism and hotel business - a lively account of the region's eventful history.
The picturesque Castle of the Counts of Savoy in La Tour-de-Peilz, on the shores of Lake Geneva was built in the 13th century, and in 1987 was transformed into the Swiss Museum of Games. A permanent exhibition features the games cultures of all the continents of the world from Roman times to the present day.
The Alimentarium is a food museum located in Vevey. Founded by the Vevey-based Nestlé multinational, it holds a permanent exhibition on the theme: “cooking, buying, eating and digesting”. The Alimentarium also describes the history of Nestlé, which was founded by Henri Nestlé in 1867, a pharmacist who invented baby powder milk. Nestlé first made itself a name with dairy products and chocolate.
At the Oympic Museum in Lausanne, one can experience the highlights of the Games and share the athletes' emotions. With advanced audiovisual, data processing and robotic technology, this is a unique, lively and interactive visit of a museum. Thousands of documents and films bear witness to the times and achievements of people like Carl Lewis or Jesse Owens. The Olympic Museum is located at the "Quai d'Ouchy" on the shores of Lake Geneva.
