Resorts of Switzerland. Montreux

Language: French
Population (with surroundings): 23 K people
Square: 33 sq. Km.

Montreux is located in the western part of Switzerland and is considered one of the centers "" - a strip of resorts that are located on the northern coast. On the other side of the lake, the city with a population of twenty-three thousand people is "propped up" by the picturesque Alps.

A once small village of winemakers and fishermen has long ceased to be such. The status of "one of the best resorts in Europe" dictates its own rules - every year in Montreux there are more and more comfortable hotels offering rooms for every taste and budget - from modest single rooms to "royal suites". The streets and the embankment are gradually overgrown with chic restaurants, cute cafes and expensive boutiques.

Montreux has long become a "resort for the rich" who prefer going to a good expensive restaurant, expensive hotels, comfortable walks on Lake Geneva and excursions to elite vineyards to all other types of recreation.

Of the sights, it is worth paying attention to the Chillon Castle, located in the suburb of Montreux and described by Lord Byron in the poem “The Prisoner of Chillon. It is considered one of the most famous in Switzerland and has long been a symbol of this prosperous country. From the Montreux station to the castle, no more than forty minutes walk. And on the way, you can admire the beautiful view of the city. There are two monuments on the embankment of Lake Geneva - Charlie Chaplin and Freddie Mercury.

Every year in early July, musicians, cultural figures and just connoisseurs of good music come to Montreux to fully enjoy the international jazz festival for two weeks. This event is held annually, starting from one thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven. Over the years, a variety of world stars have performed on the festival stage. Claude Nobs has remained the director and inspirer of the Montreux Jazz Festival all these years.

Over the years, Montreux was visited by such personalities as Vladimir Nabokov, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Igor Stravinsky and Lev Tolstoy.

A huge number of famous stars have been recorded at the Mountain Studios recording studio, owned by the Queen group, over the years.

Watch a small beautiful video with the main beauty and sights of Montreux.

Montreux: treatment, health improvement, medicine, balneotherapy. Information about the medical centers and sanatoriums of Montreux. Reviews of tourists about Montreux.

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City code

8-10-4121-phone number

How to get there

Flight to Geneva, then transfer for about an hour (60 km).

Trains run to Montreux from Geneva (Sfr26, 70 minutes, departing every hour) and Lausanne (Sfr9.80, 25 minutes, thrice per hour). On the way to Interlaken, the GoldenPass Panoramic offers amazing views of the mountains and the fabulous nature of Switzerland (transfer to Zweisimmen and Spiez, Sfr60, 3 hours, once a day).

Weather in Montreux

A bit of history

Montreux was once a miniature fishing village, where winemakers also lived. But since the 19th century, fate has prepared for Montreux a different path - the town turns into one of the largest resorts in Europe. Aristocrats and bohemians, artists and writers from many countries come here to undergo the "grape course" of treatment popular at that time. In 1904, the Montreux-Palace luxury hotel was opened in Montreux, which still remains not only a landmark of the city, an important part of its history, but also one of the most popular hotels on the shores of Lake Geneva.

The world famous Deep Purple song "Smoke on the Water" was created with the help of one unfortunate event in Montreux. On December 4, 1971, during a Frank Zappa concert, a fan fired a flare gun at the ceiling of the Montreux casino where the concert was taking place. A fire broke out, destroying the building, and a picture of smoke above the water (Smoke on the Water) etched into the memory of the band members who saw it from the window of their hotel.

Christmas market

Fairs are held in Montreux every Christmas. The city's main street (Grand "Rue) and the lakeside promenade are lined with wooden chalets where you can buy local wine (tasting is free and available everywhere), chocolates and local handicrafts. The atmosphere during these fairs is magical. Children are especially delighted by Pere Noel Park. where a skating rink and a mini-train appeared in 2006.

Bars or where to spend the evening

The terrace of the Suisse-Majestic hotel (45 avenue des Alpes, opposite the train station) offers really good prices for Switzerland and a wonderful view. Here the saxophonist plays live music with a drum machine in the evenings and plays well.

The English-style pub The White Horse (28 Grand Rue) is always packed with local youth in the evenings. And they can be understood: there is a good selection of beer and darts.

For those looking for a very special place for a special event, the Terrace Le Palais Oriental (Quai Ernest Ansermet 6) has amazing and very romantic views coupled with a fabulous dinner on offer.

Flight over Montreux

Treatment in Montreux

Many go to Montreux for beauty and health. The renowned clinic La Prairie is located here, providing a full range of services for face and body care, rehabilitation of the nervous system, weight loss and plastic surgery. Holidays in Montreux can be very active: tennis, water skiing, equestrian sports, hiking (long walks in the mountains). The evenings are usually busy with taverns, restaurants and wine cellars.

Guides in Montreux

Popular hotels in Montreux

Entertainment and attractions of Montreux

The main attraction of the city is the building of the Montreux-Palace hotel, where celebrities and powerful people used to stay. For example, Vladimir Nabokov from 1960 until his death (in 1977) lived in a hotel room with his wife Vera. They have rented rooms here since 1964. The writer is also buried nearby, in the cemetery of the town of Clarens.

Today the city is famous for its jazz festival, which has been held annually since 1967 in early July.

Montreux is a small resort town in the canton of Vaud, located on the shores of Lake Geneva, 90 km from Geneva and 40 km from Lausanne, is the pearl of the Swiss Riviera. The population is just under 20,000. Montreux is one of the sunniest parts of Switzerland, protected from cold winds by mountains. The mild climate granted by nature, exotic flowers and palm trees will always delight the guests of this wonderful city.

Montreux stands on a low hill, stretching out between a mountain range and the calm waters of the lake. These places are fantastically beautiful and have a particularly mild microclimate, rightfully bearing the title "Pearls of the Swiss Riviera".

Graceful mansions are buried in the greenery of laurels, magnolias, palms, cypresses and almonds. The stairs descend directly to the shore, along which a beautiful boulevard runs. Each season is full of charm here. The Alps located here provide an opportunity not only to enjoy breathtaking landscapes, but are also an accessible paradise for sports lovers all year round.

Montreux is truly the most beautiful city on the Riviera. The city of eternal holiday. It was here that creative people came to draw inspiration. Nabokov and Stravinsky lived here, after whom the concert hall is named, it is here that the famous jazz festival and the festival of feature films Krasnaya Roza are held every year.

The embankment is decorated with sculptures directly related to jazz. The festival was invented 36 years ago by Swiss enthusiast Claude Nobs. Already in the first years of its existence, Montreux Jazz Festival gained worldwide fame, glorifying the town by Lake Geneva throughout the world. During the festival, music is heard everywhere, the city seems to be immersed in a whirlwind of funny jazz melodies that captivate with its unique rhythm. The famous "Montreux Jazz Festival" taking place in summer gathers fans of all styles of music, and just lovers of a noisy and festive atmosphere from all over the world, which is why the usually measured city life begins to bubble up.

Montreux has a huge number of clinics that have gained worldwide fame. For lovers of outdoor activities, it is impossible to choose a better place to make excursions every day.

Near Montreux, at a distance of an hour's walk along the shore of the lake, there is one of the most famous castles in Europe - Chillon Castle, which shocked Byron and glorified by him in the poem "The Prisoner of the Castle of Chillon". The appearance of the castle, majestically towering on a small rocky island, has not changed since the middle of the 13th century. Dungeons and dungeons, the knight's hall and the hall of Justice, the duke's bedroom and the wooden chapel still perfectly preserved the spirit of the era of the struggle of the Dukes of Savoy with the Protestants. The ancient fortress was founded in the X century. Pierre II of Savoy significantly expanded and strengthened it. Bonivar, a supporter of church reform in Geneva, languished in it for four years.

Lake Geneva is perhaps one of the most picturesque lakes in Switzerland. If you take a trip from Geneva towards Zion, you can be sure that you will have a lot of impressions. On one side of the lake, you can see slender rows of vineyards that descend from the hills directly to the water surface sparkling in the sun. On the other, "French" territory, alpine mountain ranges rise menacingly. Cirrus clouds slowly float over the lake, it seems that they are about to touch the water ... And flowers ... everywhere: on the windows of houses, at railway stations, along the embankment, on the tables of restaurants. An extraordinary tranquility reigns here, so conducive to complete relaxation and relaxation.

The Swiss Riviera is truly a paradise for those who can afford to live there permanently or on short trips. Colorful, almost Mediterranean vegetation on the coast, followed by a classic alpine panorama. It is the coast of Lake Geneva that many wealthy people have chosen as a place of permanent residence. Especially prestigious are Vevey and Montreux, charming towns that were once located at some distance from each other, and now - almost touching their borders.

The "Golden Pass Panoramic" panoramic train from Montreux connects you to Lucerne, the tourist capital of Switzerland. This so-called "Golden Pass" route is one of the most attractive train routes in Switzerland. It connects the historic center of Switzerland Lucerne, the snow-covered peaks of the Jungfrau region (Interlaken) and the Swiss Riviera. The 250 km Golden Pass trail takes 5 hours and offers you an exciting tour of the most beautiful regions of the country. Distance to Geneva - 86 km, to Zurich - 188 km, to Lucerne - 200 km, to Interlaken - 148 km, to Lugano - 364 km.

Small but so cozy Switzerland attracts tourists with the enchanting beauty of local landscapes, high-quality service, interesting sights. Montreux is considered one of the most popular and prestigious resorts not only in Europe but also in the world. In summer, wealthy travelers come here to enjoy the view of the Alps, wander along the embankment, which at one time inspired many writers, poets and composers to create masterpieces.

The town is located on a small hill, it is surrounded on one side by a calm and on the other - by a mountain range, which Switzerland is known for. Montreux is surrounded by a very mild climate, which is why it is also called the "pearl of the Swiss Riviera". The unique microclimate is reflected in the local vegetation. The city is surrounded by greenery of magnolias, laurels, cypresses, palms, almonds. Along the coast there is a boulevard decorated with flowers and interesting sculptures. All of this is reminiscent of the annual international jazz festival held in Switzerland in the middle of summer.

Montreux cannot be counted among the cities with a breathtaking history, a huge number of architectural monuments. He is very rich, not everyone can afford to rest in this area. Luxurious hotels, striking in their appearance, stretch along the coast. Active tourists will not be bored; in Montreux, equestrian sports, tennis, and hiking in the mountains are offered to tourists. In the evening, you can have fun in a bar or a casino, dance to fiery music in a disco, taste local cuisine in one of the many restaurants, taste the famous white wine of the Canton of Vaud, which Montreux is so proud of.

Which is interesting to many tourists, it can boast of both old and modern historical, architectural and cultural monuments. Fans of ethnography can be recommended to look into the Museum of Old Montreux, which tells the history of the city from the moment of its foundation to the present day. In the old part, not far from the central station, on the Market Square, there is a statue of the famous Queen soloist - Freddie Mercury.

Switzerland is also famous for its luxurious castles. Montreux has one of the famous fortresses, which was built in the XIII century. On a small rocky island is located which at one time amazed Lord Byron, and he wrote the poem "The Prisoner of Chillon Castle". Tourists can see with their own eyes the ducal chambers, the knight's hall of Justice, dungeons and dungeons, a wooden chapel. It seems that everything here is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the struggle of the Dukes of Savoy with the Protestants.

Montreux hotels await guests throughout the year. Switzerland is beautiful in any season, and the good location of the city allows you to travel to every corner of the country. Not far from Montreux is Lausanne with a magnificent Roman amphitheater, Roche, where the Organ Museum is located, Aigle with the Salt and Wine Museum. Not far from the city there is the world's largest labyrinth, a water park, children's parks, and zoos.

A guide from Difficulty.net to the resort of Montreux in Switzerland.

Montreux: The main resort of the Swiss Riviera

The so-called Swiss Riviera, located on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, includes coastal resort towns, smoothly flowing into one another, with an almost uninterrupted and not blocked embankment. The largest of them are Lutry, Vevey and, of course, the "star" of these places - Montreux.

The Riviera, by analogy with the seaside, these Swiss resorts were named also because of the local microclimate - this part of the lake is reliably closed by the Alps from cold winds, and it is warm in winter and hot in summer, like in seaside resorts. Therefore, in this area, plants from more southern latitudes grow quietly - palms, magnolias, many types of flowers. Add to this the fresh mountain air, the luxurious resort infrastructure that has been formed since the beginning of the 19th century, the breathtaking views of the mountains and lakes, as well as the Swiss service - and you will have a recipe for an ideal vacation spot.

In a review article about there is basic general information about this resort: its history, attractions, what else to see around.

Here I propose to walk around Montreux on a summer day and see what it looks like, what it is famous for and why it turned out to be so loved by numerous aristocrats, rich men of all stripes and representatives of the artistic world of the XIX-XX centuries. I think after viewing the photos you will not have any questions - why. Just because these edges are so damn beautiful.

So let's go.

The main place in Montreux, as in all self-respecting seaside towns, of course, embankment... It stretches along the lake for seven kilometers. The best hotels in the resort, built in the 19th - early 20th centuries, are located along the embankment.

An important thing for vacationers is that there are no beaches in Montreux, at least along the main part of the city's embankment. In summer, it is very hot here, and the sight of blue water beckons to dive into its coolness. But it was not there. Look for where you can swim culturally - on the beach with infrastructure or even without it, but still in a specially designated place for this - will have to be outside the resort. Of course, if you get into the water, most likely no one will comment on you, but no one will be responsible for you either. In general, it is not accepted. Here, rather, ceremonial walks along the embankment in the manner of the last century, under an umbrella and with a dog are encouraged. And to imagine aunts in swimsuits, wandering along this embankment with rubber rings in their hands, is somehow wild. So maybe it's for the best that you can only swim outside Montreux.

One of the landmarks of Montreux - casino (Casino de Montreux). Knowing its history - it burned out in 1971 due to unbridled rock fans of Frank Zappa and then was restored again - we are no longer surprised that it gives way to its modern look to the luxurious historic casino buildings on this and that side of Lake Geneva.

(In general, the Savoyard nobility knew a lot about entertainment, and the casinos in these parts amaze with their monumentality and at the same time elegance, for example, a casino in or).

Another iconic landmark of the city is of course Freddie Mercury monument, which we eagerly expected to see, twisting every time around the bend of the winding promenade along the lake. The monument is located on the Marché Square, approximately in the central part of the embankment. On the same square, "according to the name", there is the city market, as well as the Migros supermarket, where numerous tourists buy sandwiches and ready-made salads to eat, sitting on the curb of the embankment and looking at the lake. In my opinion, it is still wrong when there are excellent restaurants and cafes around here. In Montreux, you have to allow yourself a little beautiful life.

Monument to Freddie Mercury is a place of constant pilgrimage for fans and ordinary tourists

Place Marche and the market located on it. From this square you can delve into Old town of Montreux and wander through its tangled streets. You have to understand that despite its apparent compactness at first, this Swiss resort is far from small, and you don't have to worry that you will go around it all at once. On the contrary, all its infrastructure, medical and spa facilities, restaurants, clubs, concert halls, casinos and other respectable recreation areas are specially created to ensure that wealthy guests stay here longer. It is impossible to get bored here, there would be funds.

Jazz Festival in Montreux

Historically, Montreux has attracted many famous musicians. Russian geniuses of world fame - Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky, many European composers of the 19th century in the 20th century were replaced by no less great jazzmen. Since 1967, Montreux has hosted international jazz festival, in which took part (and still are) the stars of jazz and other musical styles of the first magnitude - from Miles Davis and Ray Charles to David Bowie and Prince. Naturally, over the years, the Montreux Jazz Festival has undergone a transformation and today it is not only jazzmen who perform there. But thanks to the strict selection policy, the reputation of the Montreux Jazz Festival remains top notch.

Here are just a few of the musicians who have performed at various times in Montreux:

1970 - Carlos Santana, Duke Ellington, Bill Evans; 1971 - Aretha Franklin and Frank Zappa (during whose concert there was an incident with a zealous fan and a rocket launcher, a fire in a casino and the birth of the hit Smoke on the water by Deep Ash); 1973 - Miles Davis 1974 - Van Morrison; 1977 - Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald; 1978 - Ray Charles; 1986, the year of the 20th anniversary of the festival, was marked by performances by Eric Clapton, Simpley Red, Chris Rea and others; 25th anniversary - a grandiose concert, directed by Quincy Jones, and Sting had a hand in organizing the sound part, with the participation of Elvis Costello, BB King, Ray Charles etc; 1993 - Robert Plant, BB King, again Ray Charles, James Brown and Chris Isaac; in 1999 the festival broke the record for the number of spectators attending it - 220 thousand - and the headliners were R.E.M and Blondie; 2001 - Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Alanis Morisett. The list goes on and on.

The most convenient way is to purchase tickets for concerts online on the same official website.

We continue our walk along the embankment. One of the berths of Montreux.

And finally, another must see place - chic Hotel Montreux Palace, built at the beginning of the 20th century (1904) in the Belle Epoque style. It was here that the writer Vladimir Nabokov spent the last 16 years of his life. Opposite the hotel there is a carved square, where a monument to Nabokov is erected, as well as busts of famous musicians who performed here (and, of course, stayed at Montreux Palace) - Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald.

The monument to Nabokov looks very realistic; it is clearly a very successful sculpture.

Carlos Santana

That, perhaps, is all about Montreux. By the way, the mini-golf lawn near the hotel is quite Nabokov's, as if from the dreams of the protagonist of the novel "Lolita". Remember in that film adaptation of Adrian Lyne, where a seductive Lolita lies on the grass and dangles her legs?