A great weekend on the shores of Lake Léman, discovering Lausanne and Montreux

This time I’m taking you on a great weekend to discover Lausanne and Montreux, a beautiful region located on the shores of Lake Geneva. This is a first and I was pleasantly surprised by this destination! The weather was a bit capricious at the beginning of the summer but that didn’t stop me from fully enjoying the region and its wonders.

Watch the video of this trip on the banks of Lake Léman!

How to get to Lausanne?

To get to Lausanne, the starting point of this great weekend, I took the TGV Lyria train which offers a connection from Paris in 3 hours and 30 minutes. I had already had the opportunity to travel to Switzerland by plane and the duration is almost the same, considering that you need to be at the airport at least 1 hour in advance… But the travel comfort is completely different! In the train there is plenty of space, the seat is comfortable, there is an ambulant service in the carriages, you can find good food in the bar car, you can charge your equipment to work (computer, phone, etc.) and the journey is from city to city. Convenient, right?

More information about the France – Switzerland connections with TGV Lyria

Visiting Lausanne

I stayed two days in Lausanne and took the opportunity to wander around the old town and take in the view from the cathedral district. You can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the entire city. Don’t miss a visit to the hill of the City (restaurants, traditional shops, etc…), the Palud market (Wednesdays and Saturdays morning) and the Flon district.

At the end of the day, I went to the districts of Ouchy and Vidy to enjoy the summer atmosphere and a beautiful sunset on the shores of Lake Léman. There are many activities: paddleboarding, kayaking, boat trips, swimming, picnicking, etc… All the residents go there as soon as there is even a hint of sunshine to enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere is in full swing.

To get around, I recommend you buy a daily transport ticket. Starting at CHF 9.30 for two zones. More information here 

Admire the vineyards on the terraces of Lavaux

Imagine: hectares of vineyards spilling into Lake Leman, with the mountains stretching out in the distance… I was amazed by the beauty of this absolutely remarkable site, which is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site… It’s truly a must-see stop if you’re visiting the region. I went there at the end of the day, when the light is gentle, the scenery is magnificent, and even more so at sunset.

It is possible to take a walk from Lavaux Vinorama, where you can sample the wines and learn more about the Lavaux region. You then follow the cascade along a marked path, and then you can stroll along the paths among the vineyards and enjoy the panorama.

After the walk, I recommend you to go have lunch or dinner at the inn of Rivaz, a superb restaurant where the service is superb and where you can enjoy delicious dishes accompanied of course by the local wine! Hurry up and go there, you won’t regret it 🙂

To get to the terraces of Lavaux, you can follow the road that runs along Lake Leman or you can get there by train from Lausanne or Montreux.

More information about Lavaux Vinorama

More information about The Auberge de Rivaz

Traveling from Lausanne to Montreux by vintage boat

To get from Lausanne to Montreux (or vice versa) you can take the car (of course), the train (more information here) or the vintage boat, an original and very nice alternative! I did the crossing as part of a cruise lunch aboard a Belle Époque boat the CGN company. An opportunity to have a good time and enjoy new views of the banks of Lake Geneva (the Lavaux vineyards, the Chillon castle, etc.). The crossing takes about 2 hours and the price is 69 CHF, or 65€ per person (including dinner).

Montreux and its Jazz Festival

The city of Montreux is world-renowned for its jazz festival, created in 1967, where the greatest artists such as Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and many others performed. Although originally the festival was focused on Jazz and Blues, other musical styles are also present. Moreover, this year I attended the concert of NERD, the band of Pharell Williams. It was really great! During these 15 days of the festival, the entire city comes alive! Many tourists from all over the world come to attend the numerous concerts but also to enjoy the atmosphere of the city, which is very lively at this time of the year. If you go there, don’t miss the aperitif in one of the many temporary bars installed on the banks of the lake right in the heart of the festival village 🙂

For your information, next year the Montreux Jazz Festival will take place from June 29 to July 15, 2019, and the Elton John concert is already sold out!

More information about the Montreux Jazz Festival

What to do around Montreux?

After strolling through the city center of Montreux, I recommend you to visit the Chillon castle, built in the 12th century on a rocky island in Veytaux. I haven’t had the opportunity to visit it, but the views from the shores of the lake or from the Belle Époque boat are remarkable.

Want to get a bird’s-eye view? Head to the Rochers-de-Naye by cable car to enjoy a beautiful view of the Alps and Lake Geneva. The day I went there, the sky was a bit cloudy at the top, but the journey on this vintage train is a must-do and the scenery is spectacular. A must-do! It takes about 55 minutes to get there from Montreux station.

More information on the website of MOB

More information about Montreux Riviera