About dawn

Dawn Spaulding is a writer and photographer who lives in Luxembourg and New York City with her husband, Angelo.
Author Archive | dawn
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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One of the many bridges over a deep gorge

Lausanne, Switzerland

Get ready for a workout: Lausanne is built on the steep, steep hills tiered above Lake Geneva. Walking is the most efficient way to get around. The city center sprawls over several hilltops, which are handily connected by bridges that span the deep gorges. Beyond the steep town are forests and parks. Lausanne is known […]

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Palais Lumière rooftop against the Alps

Evian-les-Bains, France

Evian! I envisioned a utopia of vast pools, flowing fountains and inviting spas. Instead, I found a petite village of cobblestone streets lined with colorful old houses and a lengthy, flower-lined promenade. The town looks like many others that line Lake Geneva, only smaller. Much smaller. It takes about five minutes to see the whole […]

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