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Exterior details

Château de Chillon

13th-century Château de Chillon is worth seeing. Even if you’re completely castled-out (understandable while touring this region), Chillon warrants a stop if, for nothing else, than to see what Byron was so enraptured by. Chillon is a well-preserved medieval castle that majestically perches over the lake amidst thick trees and snow-covered, craggy mountains. The château […]

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Overlooking the marina and lake

Nyon

Though much of Nyon is appealing sloping vineyards, fields and forests, the small town center on Lake Geneva is even more lovely. Nyon has been around since at least the 300’s. Excavations have turned up artifacts from the times of the Celtic Helvetians and the Romans. In the 13th century, the Counts of Savoy built […]

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Looking over Lake Geneva

Coppet

One short, arcaded main street and a slice of lakefront makes Coppet a quick stop. Coppet was first mentioned in written records in the 13th century. It has an area of 1.9 square kilometers.

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Some old graves

Céligny

Céligny is a serene little enclave with one main street, vast meadows and imposing woods. Céligny’s notable resident is Richard Burton, who is buried in the Vieux Cimitière.

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Saint-Saphorin doesn't have one straight street!

Saint-Saphorin

Saint-Saphorin is a treasure of a stop in the Lavaux region. When we visited, the town’s sole restaurant wasn’t open, but we enjoyed an hour of wandering. The entire municipality is 0.89 square km, of which over 65% is used for agricultural purposes and forest. This waterside hamlet climbs the slopes amidst the vines. There’s […]

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The vines thrive on these hilly tiers

Lavaux Region

The Lavaux wine region stretches from Lausanne to Vevey. This very special region is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. One look and it’s easy to see why: Lavaux’s vineyards cover steep hillsides and every point offers views of Lake Geneva and the Savoy Alps. Picture-perfect villages with winding cobblestone streets dot the vine-filled hills. There […]

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Promenade with Lavaux hills in background

Lutry

Lutry is a medieval market town full of tight streets, chateaus, churches, cafés and galleries. Of course, strolling on the promenade and taking in Lake Geneva and the Alps is a must.

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One of the historic buildings

Hotel Angleterre & Residence, Ouchy

Hotel Angleterre is perfectly situated near the waterfront, down the hill from the main part of Lausanne in Ouchy, Lausanne’s flat, lakeside neighbor. Ouchy’s promenade offers a front-seat view of sprawling Lake Geneva and the snow-capped Savoy Alps. Since the 12th century, Ouchy has been an important fishing and trading port and tourists began flocking […]

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The rose window

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Lausanne

Towers, spires, turrets – Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Lausanne has it all. It is considered the most beautiful Gothic building in Switzerland. And, it is the largest. The foundation was laid in the 12th century and construction continued through the 13th century. A colorful 13th century 105-panel rose window adorns the south side and flying buttresses […]

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Medieval Tour d'Ale

Tour de l’Ale, Lausanne

This is the last vestige of Lausanne’s old city walls. It dates to the 14th century and is 20 meters high. After the city no longer needed protecting, it was used as a pig slaughterhouse.

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