Monuments to visit Romandy

One of Vevey's legendary gourmet addresses, this inn was where Jean-Jacques Rousseau stayed in 1730. A plaque quotes a highly poetic passage from Confessions: "I went to Vevey," he says, "to stay at La Clef. I took for this city a love that followed me in all my travels." Rousseau first came to Lausanne at the age of 18 to prepare for a music competition. Having finally opted for writing, he wrote Julie ou la Nouvelle Héloïse in Switzerland, using Clarens as the setting. It is said that he could see Mme de Warens' house from his window.

The Austrian Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria (1837-1898), better known as Sissi, loved to stay in the region. She used to stay at the Grand Hôtel de Territet, which has since been converted into apartments and houses the Audiorama museum. Her walks took her to Caux, where she stayed in August 1898, before being assassinated on September 10 in Geneva. A statue has been erected in her honor in the Jardin des Roses. It reads: "To the memory of Her Majesty the Empress and Queen Elisabeth, in memory of her many visits to Montreux

The same Vincent Dubochet who built the Château des Crêtes also bought the land between his hill and the lake to build a series of villas, the famous Dubochet villas. No. 17 was inhabited in 1904 by Paul Kruger, defender of the Boers of South Africa and ex-president of the Transvaal, exiled in Switzerland. The Pretoria government acquired the villa in 1954 to turn it into a museum. Another of the villas is home to the environmentalist journalist Franz Weber. The whole complex is listed as a historic monument in the canton of Vaud.

You have to go up into Clarens to catch a glimpse of this astonishing red-brick building. Vincent Dubochet, a leading Montreux figure, had this château built in 1864 on the presumed site of Julie's groves described in Jean-Jacques Rousseau's La Nouvelle Héloïse . Léon Gambetta, former French Minister of Defense and close friend of Dubochet, stayed here on several occasions. The château changed ownership several times before being bought by German industrialists in 1985, who commissioned painter André Russo to restore it.

Criticized in its early days, it has become the emblem of Montreux. Given the lack of space between the mountains and the lake, Montreux couldn't really hope to expand. In the 1960s, when the town was back in the public eye, the question of new urban development arose. Economic and tourism obligations took precedence, and the tower was built. The top floor once housed a magnificent restaurant, but its six managers all went bankrupt. It was recently bought by a Russian millionaire.

Crousaz, one of the three hamlets at the base of the commune of Chexbres, was once a fortified village. Overlooking the lake, the castle is situated on a promontory which allows Chexbres to present itself as "the balcony of Lake Geneva". In spite of this, the castle was burnt down several times, and the building was rebuilt from 1603 to 1607. At that time it housed a courtroom. Today, the castle has become private property. Since 1999, it has been the headquarters of an international university network of researchers specialising in quality management.

This magnificent ^12th-century château has belonged to the Blonay family since its construction, with the exception of the period from 1752 to 1806. In Blonay, the lords originally guarded the Château de Chillon, which belonged to the Bishop of Sion. Returning from a crusade, the bishop realized that Chillon was occupied by the House of Savoy. Around 1184, the Blonays built their castle to defend themselves against the Savoyards. Today, only the keep remains. It is classified as a cultural asset of national importance.

Vevey's town hall is a French-style building, with belfry and staircase, which in 1327 was a hospital. Later, in 1702, it was taken over by nuns, resulting in a chapel, of which the Saint-Jean tower remains, behind the building (you can still make out the church door through the two arches surrounded by flowers). You can enter the building from the side and go upstairs to the "historic building" sign. Here you'll find beautiful wood-panelled rooms and historic features.

This sumptuous hotel, built in 1842, houses faux marble columns (which would have cost more than real marble!), fireplaces and fountains. Many personalities have stayed here: Gounod, Sacha Guitry, Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales to celebrate his 20th birthday..

The Hôtel des Trois Couronnes is one of Vevey's monuments to "visit" to climb the steps of the entrance staircase and look up at the courtyards and interior balconies. In the dining room, the paintings on the walls have been restored and, on one of them, you can still see a tiny square of the painting of the time: it's up to you to find it (by going there to drink a coffee for example)!

The 71 richly decorated rooms, which combine a classic style with more contemporary furniture, are full of historical elegance. The terrace, raised above the lake promenade, offers a magnificent view of the lake and the mountains. To live a majestic moment in this prestigious place, the gastronomic restaurant Les Trois Couronnes is open in the evening, from Tuesday to Saturday, and the restaurant Le 3C opens daily for lunch and dinner for a lighter cuisine.

Sunday brunch is served at the Trois Couronnes restaurant with a buffet of hors d'oeuvres and varied, high-quality dishes.

Puressens Spa. Indoor swimming pool with subdued light, underwater music and curtains allowing a view of the lake, hammam, fitness room and treatments in the most beautiful hotel in Vevey.

The word "grenette" means granary. Thus, this hall, built in 1608 in the style of a Greek temple, was already at that time the gathering place for merchants. Apart from market days and festivities, the Grand-Place is a car park. The local authorities did try to build an underground car park, but the lake rises up to underneath it. With an area of more than 10,000 m², it is the largest square in Europe. It was large enough for Napoleon Bonaparte to gather his troops here in 1800 for the Italian campaign.

The earliest buildings date back to the ^14th century, but the castle's current appearance is the result of enlargement work carried out in the ^16th century and renovation of the facades in 1729. The monumental staircase tower and the large portal in the western courtyard (1573-1576) bear the imprint of the Bodmer brothers, craftsmen from Vallesia (northern Italy). Bequeathed to the town of Lutry in 1854 by Juste-Charles-Antoine de Crousaz, a descendant of the family that had owned it since 1640, the château has housed the town administration since 1942. Tours available.

Built in 1340, this former watchtower, 21 m high, is the last vestige of the ramparts that once surrounded the city. Its dimensions, 21 m high and 8 in diameter, made it one of the most spectacular elements of the town. The thickness of its walls reaches 1.75 m. The tower was classified as a historical monument in 1900 and restored in 1903. Just below, the rue de l'Ale, actually rue de la Halle but transformed by popular speech into rue de l'Aile and then l'Ale, leads to La Pinte Besson, the oldest bistro in Lausanne.

The Château Saint-Maire, a real fortified castle, was built between 1394 and 1430 at the request of the Lausanne bishops to make it their new residence, considering that the old residence, the current Historical Museum, was not big enough. Since 1803, this building has been the seat of the Vaud cantonal authorities and is therefore not open to the public. It is therefore unfortunately not possible to visit it from the inside. Nevertheless, you can always walk past it on your peregrinations and it is possible to visit it online.

The Lausanne skyscraper was the subject of much controversy at the time of its construction and was designed by the architect Alphonse Laverrière in 1932, one year after the Empire State Building. The property developer was in New York and also wanted a large-scale building for Lausanne. Built straddling the Place Bel Air and the Flon "hole", this impressive tower rises to 54 m from the Place Bel Air and 68 m from the Rue de Genève. It houses the Salle Métropole, a listed building.

Once the residence of bishops, this ^12th-century château retains only the keep tower from its past. Towards the end of the ^19th century, Jean-Jacques Mercier commissioned architect Francis Isoz to build a luxury hotel in the neo-Gothic style that was very much in vogue at the time. A few years ago, there was talk of turning it into a casino, but the Loterie Romande, which bought the château, was unable to obtain a license. It therefore leased the château to Lausanne Palace & Spa, which manages the new hotel and its marvellous terrace overlooking the lake.

A monument of national interest, placed under the protection of the Confederation and the section of historical monuments of the canton of Vaud. In this large castle dating from the 10th century, there are several museums: the Historical Museum, which relates in particular the battle of Grandson (1476) and the Regional Museum. The castle is currently being renovated and will house a new museum and exhibition space in 2026. Every day, an individual visit is offered to discover the gardens, the towers and the covered way.

Superb Belle Époque building, emblematic of the Vaud Riviera, built in only two years, 1905 and 1906, by the architect Eugène Jost. Because of the new enthusiasm for sport at that time, a "Sports Pavilion" was added to the building, which has now become a restaurant. Among the many personalities who stayed there were Richard Strauss (1947), Vladimir Nabokov (from 1961 until his death in 1977), Mikael Gorbachev (1994), and Michael Jackson (1997).

Built by two architects, Philippe Franel and Jacques-Louis Brocher, between 1840 and 1846, this whimsical château bears witness to the troubadour style in vogue at the time, which had little influence in Switzerland. Its architecture can also be described as neo-Gothic. In 2007, it was sold for a symbolic CHF 1 to a German, who undertook a titanic renovation over a period of almost ten years (30 million Swiss francs and ninety different contributors) to respect its heritage and house luxury apartments.

The elevator takes you to the top of the tower, which serves as a relay station for Swiss television and telephone communications between Zurich, Lausanne and Sion. Perched at an altitude of 1,100 m, you can enjoy a 360-degree view, from the Jura to the Alps. From the Vevey-Mont-Pèlerin funicular station, it's a 1-hour walk. For the return journey, you can walk back down through the forest, past Chalet-Volet and Mont de Chardonne. Then finish the walk through the vineyards, pushing on to Vevey. Allow around 3 hours for the walk.

This powerful building dating from the 13th century bears witness to the rich past of the town of Estavayer-le-Lac. Built in one piece, it is reminiscent of the Savoyard style with its four round towers arranged in a square. Originally, its corners were defended by two-storey turrets and by a large tower commanding the entrance, but between 1433 and 1443, the turrets on the lake side were replaced by two brick towers. The castle was burnt down during the Burgundy wars and was rebuilt in 1503. The castle cannot be visited inside.

One of the first buildings built by the famous artist Le Corbusier in his home town in 1917. It was commissioned by Mr. Schwob, a wealthy watchmaker in the city, who did not honour the invoice, which had been exceeded. As a result of this misadventure, the famous architect left the city. The Turkish Villa, in a very refined and daring Moorish style for its time, with a very elaborate interior decoration, was bought by the watchmaking company Ebel.

The Villa Favre-Jacot was the first large-scale commission for Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, the future Le Corbusier, in this neighborhood of the upper middle class, with its neoclassical influence. The building cannot be visited, but remains visible from the outside. It bears witness to Le Corbusier's architectural values, with its interplay of forms, its white, smooth facades that stand out from the era, and its entablature windows... A revolutionary who is recognized as a precursor of model architecture, optimized for its environment.

Seat of the Municipal Council and the Municipality since 1915, this 18th century building was formerly the Auberge du Coeur d'Or. In the 19th century, it became the property of a Bernese patrician family, the Wyttenbachs, who gave it its present name with more Germanic origins. It is one of the most beautiful and oldest buildings in the village. Its architecture is harmonious and it is always well maintained. Today, in addition to belonging to the municipality of Chexbres, it is also the venue for other events.

The Tour de Gourze is the remains of a medieval watchtower located on Mont de Gourze. Cubic in shape, it stands some 9 m high and overlooks the Lake Geneva basin. It offers an exceptional panorama of the Alps. Its origins have never been clearly determined: Queen Berthe is said to have built it in the ^9th century to protect Lavaux from Saracen invasions; the action of the bishops of Lausanne in the ^11th century has also been mentioned. At its foot is a café-restaurant serving Vaudois cheese specialities and panoramic views.

Since 1675, the imposing Hôtel de Ville building has housed the town's municipal institutions. The building dates back to the ^17th century, when it was surrounded by two rivers (the Flon and the Louve). It was built on top of a ^15th-century edifice. The façade is original in that the arches are symmetrical in relation to the central door (large - medium - small - central door - small - medium - large). The windows above are spaced in the same pattern, giving an impression of width. You'll also notice some pretty ^17th-century gargoyles, which fortunately are no longer operational, otherwise you'd be pelted with downpours! Inside, a mural tells the story of Major Davel, symbol of the canton's liberation. The municipal council chamber, where the seven executive members meet, has a lovely blue-tiled stove (Nyon manufacture) and, under the benches, spit drawers for those who chewed tobacco! Mozart gave two concerts at the Hôtel de Ville in 1766, at the age of 10. His father was trying to find him a place at one of Europe's great courts. This was his only visit to Switzerland. Open to the curious, we recommend climbing up to the attic to admire the original framework. Dominating the picturesque Place de la Palud from its belfry, this is one of Vaud's most remarkable ^17th-century monuments.

This "high school of human values for young girls", as the sign in front of the 1870s building indicates, is a former luxury hotel, the Grand-Hôtel des Avants, a popular place to stay for the English and Russians in the Belle Époque. Ernest Hemingway stayed there. Today, Le Châtelard is an academy that provides a specialized comprehensive training for young girls, including courses in good manners and haute cuisine. The school also organizes summer camps and various seasonal events.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been mandated by the United Nations to find solutions for refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, migrants, stateless persons and other persons of concern, currently more than 36 million people. It is a non-political and humanitarian organization established in 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The Visitors' Centre is located opposite the main UNHCR building.

A place of worship, a refuge, a forge for the artillery, Calvin's auditorium, located behind St. Peter's Cathedral, welcomed, as early as 1555, John Calvin, Theodore de Bèze, John Knox and their successors. They taught the new Protestant religion there, and John Calvin encouraged the celebration of services in the mother tongue of the Protestant refugees. John Knox was the instigator of the printing of the first Bible in English. The auditorium is best known as the "base camp" from which the new religion spread throughout the world.

Today, it remains the head of this stone stone buried during work in the 1968 th century and rediscovered in during the development of the crossroads that bears its name today. This-metre long oval and oval stone was probably already in prehistory and then had to play a role in the Celtic era. Legend wants the devil to turn it on herself at midnight in the Christmas night.

Important monument and symbol of the attachment of the city to the Swiss Confederation 1815. Located at the entrance of the Mont-Blanc bridge, in the English Garden, the two young women in bronze dress, carrying sword and shield, stand proudly on their pedestal looking towards the country. One represents the Republic of Geneva (crenellated headdress), the other, Helvetia (laurel crown). This national monument was inaugurated in 1869. For the anecdote it seems that the sculptor Robert Dorer took for models two Savoyard ladies.

It can be spotted from afar, especially when the sun shines on its nine superb steeples with golden bulbs. This Orthodox church offers an atypical image in the Geneva urban landscape. In 1847, the new Constitution of Geneva advocated freedom of worship and religious tolerance. From then on, the authorities allocated land - corresponding to the line of the old fortifications - to the various religious denominations to build places of worship. A Catholic church, an Anglican church, a Masonic temple, a synagogue... Finally, in 1866, the Russian Orthodox Church was built, with an architecture inspired by Byzantine art and by the Moscow style of the 16th-18th centuries. Thanks to the financial contribution of the Russian diaspora, the community grew with the arrival of members of the imperial family, aristocrats, high-ranking officials, engineers and tourists who came to take the waters in the thermal spas, many students and finally revolutionaries. From 1917, after the Bolshevik revolution, the emigration of Russians to Geneva intensified. The church then represented a very strong link - and the only one - between the new residents and their former mother country. Today, there are 200,000 Orthodox believers in Switzerland and about a thousand in Geneva. This church is reputed to be more independent and more free of expression than the one in Chêne-Bougeries, under the direct authority of the Patriarch of Moscow. A church which deserves a small visit.

This romantic castle from 1730 houses a permanent exhibition on life in Switzerland since the 17th century. The first floor evokes the ideals of 18th century noble and bourgeois society, while the cellars explain the rural economy of the Ancien Régime, of which the castle was the center. The^first floor shows how Switzerland changed from the Ancien Régime to a modern federal state, from an agricultural country to an urbanized and industrial nation. Temporary exhibitions and guided tours of the vegetable garden are also organized.

Resting on a rock on Lake Geneva, Château de Glérolles is located just west of Saint-Saphorin, near Rivaz. Since 1802, the year of the Vaud revolution, the château has been privately owned, but remains open to the public for tastings of the estate's wines. The story goes that Rousseau walked here from Vevey and, tired, asked for a drink. He was served piquette... The moment the philosopher began to speak, a good bottle was quickly fetched for him!

In the Geneva countryside, a 1710 manor house was the setting for one of the most famous and first science fiction novels. It was in this sumptuous mansion, formerly called Villa Belle Rive, that three young writers (Lord Byron, Mary Shelley and Percy Shelley) played a perilous game of writing a terrifying novel. By morning, Mary Shelley had written Frankenstein. The world's most famous science fiction novel was born in the canton of Geneva. The villa is privately owned and unfortunately cannot be visited.

Saint-Ursanne is a medieval town in the Swiss canton of Jura. To discover this town in an unusual way, the Circuit Secret St-Ursanne is an activity not to be missed. Using a digital key, visitors can explore the town's unusual sites and learn more about its rich history. The tour was created as part of the festivities to mark the 1,400th anniversary of the death of St-Ursanne, and was led by renowned illustrator John Howe, known for his work on the Lord of the Rings universe. Individual ticket prices are CHF 9 for adults, CHF 6 for children aged 7 to 16 and CHF 8 for students, AVS and AI. Discounts are also available for groups. Good footwear is recommended for the tour. Guides are also available on reservation.

Porrentruy, a town in the Swiss canton of Jura, offers visitors a unique experience with its Circuit Secret. Equipped with a digital key, visitors can access a number of unusual places in the Château and the old town, some of which are enhanced by sound and light animations. The Circuit Secret allows visitors to discover hidden places and enjoy exclusive experiences, such as animations featuring historical figures or fantastic creatures. It is also possible to book a guided tour for an even more enriching experience. Admission costs CHF 12 for adults, CHF 9 for children aged 7 to 16 and CHF 11 for students and senior citizens. Discounts are also available for groups. The Circuit Secret de Porrentruy is a must-see activity for history and mystery buffs.

Château de Vorbourg is a ruined fortified castle in Delémont. It was once inhabited by the knights of Telsperg, a family of minor feudal nobility. The ruins of the lower castle have been modified over the centuries and now house the Vorbourg chapel. The foundations of the terraces, the St. Anne tower and a cistern hidden beneath the apartments can still be seen. The upper castle, higher than the chapel, was consolidated and restored in 1998. Inside, a vaulted ceiling is currently being rebuilt. Both Telsperg castles were toppled in the Basel earthquake of 1356, but continued to be inhabited and to house the prince-bishop. The chapel is open daily, but access to the interior of St. Anne's Tower is closed. The upper castle ruins can be reached via a steep footpath.

The Circuit Secret de Delémont is a must-see tourist attraction in Delémont. This circuit allows you to discover 7 of the town's most emblematic landmarks using a digital key. These include the Porte au Loup, the bell tower of the Eglise St-Marcel, the Corps de Garde at the Château and the Villa Vermeille. Each site is animated by comic-book-style projections created by Jura artist Dexter Maurer. Admission is CHF 9.00 for adults, CHF 6.00 for children aged 7 to 16, and CHF 8.00 for students, AHV and IV pensioners. Discounts are also available for groups of 10 to 20 people (10%) and for groups of more than 20 people (40%). This activity can be booked with a guide.

Porrentruy Castle is an important historical site. Built in the 13th century, it was the residence of the Prince-Bishops of Basel from 1524 to 1792. Today, the castle is classified as a "cultural asset of national importance" and houses the seat of justice in the Republic and Canton of Jura. The castle's architectural panorama ranges from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. You can admire the 13th-century Réfous tower, as well as the ramparts and buildings constructed by Jean and Nicolas Frick during the reign of Prince-Bishop Jacques-Christophe Blarer de Wartensee. You can visit the various parts of the castle, including the Réfous Tower, the Residence, the Chancellery and the Rooster Tower. Guided tours of the castle's history and architecture are also available. Porrentruy Castle is a must-see for lovers of history and architecture. A visit immerses you in the history of the region, while admiring its exceptional architectural heritage.

The Tour Réfous is a historic site in Porrentruy. Perched on the Fahy hill since the 13th century, the castle offers a breathtaking view of the old town. Formerly the residence of the Princes-Bishops of Basel, its architecture dates from the Middle Ages to the late 18th century. Today, it is the seat of justice for the Republic and Canton of Jura, making it a symbol of power. The castle complex comprises a number of buildings, including the Tour Réfous, a 13th-century round tower reminiscent of Savoyard circular keeps. There are also the Residence and the Chancellery, with their magnificent late-Renaissance portals. The buildings have been restored several times and now house the Cantonal Court and part of the district administration. A visit to the castle offers an insight into the history of the region, as well as works of art including portraits of bishops and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Perched on the first foothill of the Fahy hill since at least the 13th century, Porrentruy castle towers impressively over the entire old town. The residence of the Prince-Bishops of Basel from 1524 to 1792, its architectural panorama stretches from the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century. Even today, it remains a symbol of power, as the seat of justice for the Republic and Canton of Jura. The château comprises several buildings, including the 13th-century main tower, known as the Tour Réfous, and the early 17th-century Tour du Coq. You can also admire the ramparts and the remains of the old fortifications. Inside, you'll find the Residence and Chancellery, with their magnificent late-Renaissance portals. Visitors can explore the prince-bishop's apartments, the throne room and the vast vaulted cellars. The castle is open to the public and offers guided tours of its history and architecture.

Porrentruy, a charming Swiss town, is home to the Hôtel de Ville, the seat of the municipal administration. The Town Hall is an imposing building that bears witness to the town's history. Porrentruy also offers a wide range of cultural and leisure activities. Art lovers can visit local museums such as JURASSICA Dinotec, JURASSICA Jardin botanique, JURASSICA Museum, Musée de l'Hôtel-Dieu and Ô Vergers d'Ajoie - Musée suisse des fruits et de la distillation. There are also several art galleries, such as Espace d'Art Contemporain and Galerie Artothèque le LAC. For show lovers, the town has a number of theaters, including the Salle de l'Inter and the Salles de l'Hôtel-Dieu. There are also sports facilities such as a climbing wall, Tennis Club Porrentruy, an ice rink and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Porrentruy, a historic town in Switzerland, offers many accommodation and dining options for visitors. Hotels and bed & breakfasts are available for those wishing to spend the night in the town. Dining options include restaurants offering a variety of cuisine, such as Asian restaurants, pizzerias, brasseries and cafés. Some establishments also offer takeaways. Visitors can also take advantage of events organized in the town, such as the Braderie Bruntrutaine and the Saint-Martin market. Porrentruy is also known for its watchmaking circuit, where watch enthusiasts can discover the region's watchmaking history and traditions.

The Saint-Ursanne viaduct is an impressive structure located in the town of Saint-Ursanne.