Tourist Attractions & Monuments Switzerland

Originally, three brothers joined forces to preserve musical instruments in the 1920s. Visiting this museum is a bit like opening a jewellery box... This enchanting museum houses some sixty exceptional pieces manufactured between 1750 and 1940. Your eyes will sparkle as you discover clocks, snuffboxes, dolls, mechanical musical instruments and old everyday crafts. The most emblematic element is the fairground organ from 1900 and an orchestra composed of ten different instruments.

The Orbe Tourist Office is located next to the market square, just a 5-minute walk from the Orbe train station. It is a tourist information and reception center where visitors can get advice on what to do in the area and find useful documentation to organize their stay, such as brochures, walking maps and information on accommodation and local events.

Located on the listed site of the Grandes-Forges, in the heart of Vallorbe, this museum traces the history of the ore that brought prosperity to the town, but also of the railway, which also played an important role in the development of the region. You should not only see the forge in operation, with the panting of the paddle wheels, the rustling of the belts and the noise of the anvils, but also discover the epic of the railways in the Vaudois region presented on the upper floors.

The online travel guide presents the Valais Cantonal Museums in Sion. These museums include the Musée d'art du Valais, the Musée d'histoire du Valais and the Musée de la nature du Valais. Located in the upper old town of Sion, they offer visitors opportunities for discovery and enjoyment. The collections of these museums cover the entire cultural history of the Valais. The mission of the Cantonal Museums of the Valais is to assemble, conserve, study and make accessible to the public reference collections. The museums also maintain privileged relationships with other Valais cultural institutions, such as the Jardin alpin Flore-Alpe in Champex, the Musée de Bagnes in Le Châble, the Musée d'Isérables, the Musée des bisses in Ayent, the Musée du vin in Sierre and Salgesch, the Musée Olsommer in Veyras and the Lötschentaler Museum in Kippel.

The tourist office has lots of ideas for visits. The capital of the Valais, with its southern flair, offers a wide range of things to discover. Culture, gastronomy, sports, events: the city is dynamic and has retained its charm of yesteryear. Lose yourself in the cobbled streets, climb the castles of Valère or Tourbillon... Take a 2.5 km walk through the old town and discover seven thousand years of history.

Renovated in 2012, this museum presents a rich collection of antique clocks, from the 16th to the 19th century, and retraces the beginnings of watchmaking in the region. There is also a collection of Comtois clocks, restored by the students of the valley's technical school, future clockmakers, as well as watches created by valley companies in the 21st century. The renovation has modernised the space, which is now interactive and presents a watchmaking style that looks to the future.

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.

La Maison des Terroirs is a must in Grandson. This delicatessen offers a selection of local products and AOC Bonvillars wines. Here you can taste the region's wines and indulge in local produce. The Maison des Terroirs is also a place for producers and the public to meet and exchange ideas. You can organize aperitifs, tastings or even family breakfasts.

This structure brings together the tourist offices of the Yverdon-les-Bains Jura-Lac region. In addition to Yverdon, these include Vallorbe, Grandson, Orbe, Yvonand, Romainmôtier and Sainte-Croix/Les Rasses. A charming tourist region, with its spa, lake and magnificent natural surroundings. The regional tourist office organizes guided tours of the region. Take, for example, the historical tour of the town of Yverdon-les-Bains in song.

Avenches, Switzerland, is a town brimming with historical heritage and interesting tourist attractions. Avenches offers many opportunities for guided tours and workshops to discover its heritage. You can also take advantage of the natural surroundings, including the Port Plage campsite. The town also offers various events throughout the year, such as the Avenches Tattoo and the summer market at the campsite. Don't miss a visit to the Roman Museum of Avenches and the Roman site of Aventicum, which bear witness to the town's history.

Summer or winter, there's something for everyone. In summer, you can enjoy magnificent mountain hikes, bike rides or hot-air balloon flights to admire the landscapes from 360 degrees. You can also visit the Musée du Pays-d'Enhaut to discover the region's folk art. In winter, the Videmanette ski area awaits you with its ski slopes and open-air skating rink. And don't miss the L'Etivaz cheese cellars, where you can discover the secrets of cheese-making. The villages of Rossinière, Château-d'oex and Rougemont are also well worth a visit, with their architectural heritage and picturesque landscapes.

The forest of Finges, pine forest and alluvial zone of 1 000 ha is recognised at European level for the richness of its fauna and flora.

This 16th-century manor house houses a museum of the Old Valais and of vine and wine, with interesting collections of traditional and ancient objects such as winegrowers' tools. Other rooms display paintings. But more earthly pleasures are also on offer thanks to the restaurant which serves opulent raclettes accompanied by the famous Valais wines which, after a visit to the museum, will no longer hold any secrets for you.

The magnificent 18th-century Courten house houses the Rainer Maria Rilke Foundation and Museum. Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was an Austrian writer who lived the last four years of his life in Sierre, where he died of leukaemia after coming here to treat it. A permanent exhibition traces the writer's years in the Valais: 1921-1926. It shows his written works (Elegies of Duino, Sonnets to Orpheus, poems, letters...) and the friends he made during these years.

The doors of St. Catherine's Church are just waiting to be pushed open to discover the beautiful baroque architectural ensemble. It is one of the oldest religious buildings in the city. This 17th century building was restored and modified in the 20th century, first in 1920-1921 and then in 1994. It was badly damaged by the earthquake of 1946. Inside, the stained glass windows are particularly well arranged, the small ones at the bottom and the large ones at the top. The high organ is magnificently displayed in its woodwork setting.

Located on the banks of the Tsittoret bisse, it can be reached by the Aminona cable car. The museum evokes life on the mountain pastures, with traditions such as the inalpe and desalpe, and local products (milk, butter, cheese). It is housed in three mayens (small traditional Valais houses) in the Crans-Montana region, which have been dismantled and rebuilt according to traditional architectural rules. Next door: a visitor center with restaurant and terrace.

The Val d'Herens brings together the municipalities of Des, Evolène, Hérémence, Mont-Noble, Saint Martin and Vex.

If you want to know everything about the specific wines of the Valais, here is a huge cellar where you can discover all the aspects of wine making. From the reception of the grape harvest to the bottling process and to finish the visit in the oenotheque where you will taste a selection of wines according to the chosen formula. Here you will be shown everything up to the wine ageing cellar where the oak barrels rest. Tradition, technology and respect for the environment are the key words of this establishment. Various Swiss AOC grape varieties are represented, more than 500 wines to taste or buy.

Evolène Region brings together villages: Arolla, Evolène, La Forclaz, La Sage, Les Haudères and Villaz.

Venturing into the mountains for skiing or mountaineering requires a thorough knowledge of the environment and safety training. Experienced guides will accompany you and show you around the Val d'Hérens. They'll share their knowledge of the flora and fauna with you, and guide you in complete safety. Summer and winter alike, our mountain guides are here to share their knowledge of the region with you.

An escape to the farm from the Rhone Valley is a must! If you are passing through the Val d'Hérens, this is a good address to discover the backstage of the famous Hérens cow (the one that fights the queens before going up to the mountain pasture!), the internationally known Evolène carnival and everything related to the culture of the region. A visit that will delight young and old alike. The farm offers a rural stay with very well appointed rooms at low prices, especially the collective dormitories. Don't miss the opportunity to book a country brunch with local products.

Important scientific collections which are a reference for the identification of species present in Valais and the Alps: about 3 500 rocks and minerals, 650 fossils, 20 000 plants in Valais and 3 500 animals.

The Théâtre de Beausobre offers an extensive programme of concerts and shows of all kinds: theatre, humor, magic, musical theatre, song, world music, opera, gospel… In May-June, the theatre hosts an international comedy festival, Morges-sous-Rire, very popular.

Founded in the ^11th century by monks attached to the Abbey of Cluny (Burgundy), this beautiful Romanesque church was completed in the ^12th century. In the ^15th century, a vast nave collapsed due to lack of maintenance, and was never rebuilt. Despite the absence of the nave, this church is one of Switzerland's most beautiful Romanesque buildings, and is listed as a historic monument. The frescoes date from the ^14th century and were only discovered in 1897, as they had long been covered by a grey whitewash applied by the Protestant Bernese.

A walk in the heart of nature! Unique in Switzerland, the Arboretum is a vast park featuring 4,000 species and varieties of trees and shrubs from every continent that can be acclimatized in this beautiful region. In the heart of the park, the Musée du Bois houses a collection of woodworking tools. Tools for carpenters, winnowers, luthiers and clog makers are among the 1,500 exhibits in the 6,000-strong collection.

The church is believed to have been built in the ^15th century on the ruins of a monasteriolum, a small church possibly dating back to the ^11th century. It features a square tower topped by an eight-sided curved spire measuring 7.5 m on each side. After the arrival of the Bernese in 1536, the church became a Protestant temple, which it still is today. Old Montreusiens call Saint-Vincent le temple des Planches. The modern stained-glass windows are the work of Vaud artist Jean Prahin. From the terrace, there's a fine view of the greater Montreus area.

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).

The MOB SA railroad company also offers an original, slightly expensive but interesting day trip from Montreux, aboard Pullman Belle Époque panoramic carriages. The Chocolate Train then heads for Gruyère, where you can discover how the famous Gruyère cheese is made. From there, we visit the famous Cailler chocolate factory in Broc. The tour ends in Montreux. In the same vein, the "cheese train" takes you to Château d'Oex to discover how cheese is made.

An excellent welcome with themes specific to the Les Diablerets region according to the season: various maps such as those of summer and winter hiking trails, snowshoe trails, winter groomed footpaths, road bike and mountain bike trails and, of course, ski maps. You'll also find information on the region's culture and heritage, its rich gastronomy and all its sporting and leisure activities. The website is also very well updated, with regular offers based on current activities.

The Aigle Tourist Office is an essential information point for visitors to the town.

The CGN offers numerous cruises throughout the year with tourist visits. Individuals or groups can then sail on Lake Geneva to appreciate the beauty of the scenery, but above all to discover the must-see stops in the area such as the villages of the Lavaux vineyards, the castle of Chillon or the French medieval village of Yvoire. You have the choice of boats in a Belle Epoque fleet, with the option of steam and paddlewheels for the most beautiful effect.

After passing through the imposing portal of the building, you can admire the beautifully frescoed vaulted ceiling inside. On the wall adjacent to the church, you can read the history of the parish (Lutry church and convent). Lutry's origins are attested by a few notes mentioning the existence of a castrum and a fishing village(lustriacum). However, the town really took off in the ^11th century, thanks to the establishment of a Benedictine convent. Originally very modest, it consisted of a simple claustrum to the south of the church; its buildings expanded in the ^13th and ^14th centuries to form a vast monastic complex. In 1577, the vaults of the church's nave and choir were completely covered with Mannerist paintings by the Flemish painter Humbert Mareschet. They represent one of the richest ^16th-century decorations in Switzerland. A rarity in Switzerland, especially after the Reformation, which prohibited and even demolished this type of painting. It is said that they were in fact offered to the parish by the authorities in exchange for the parishioners' acceptance of the Reformation. However, the painter avoided all religious and biblical figures, outlawed by the Reformation, and replaced them with zoomorphic figures: atlatls, satyrs, fauns and chimeras. A "grotesque décor" with scrolls and graceful animals, roosters, rabbits and cranes, as well as a masked putto (love) facing a turkey. A possible metaphor for the vanity of those who conceal their personality.

The second floor of the château (where the historical museum is located) is devoted to the many souvenirs of past winegrowers' festivals: costumes, models, flags, archives, films, engravings, photographs... perfect for immersing yourself in this original tradition of Vevey life. It's also here that the brotherhood's council meets to prepare for future festivities, notably the famous Fête des Vignerons, which takes place about once every twenty years.

After the war, this ^16th-century residence, threatened with demolition, was saved by a bank and became home to Vevey's historical museum, as well as the Confrérie des Vignerons, which took over ownership in 1986. The building was restored, in particular the roof structure, where suitcases and other objects belonging to the various residents were discovered. Eight exhibition rooms, alternating regional themes and original collections.

It is the second largest Russian church in Switzerland, alongside the one in Geneva. In the ^19th century, many families of the Russian aristocracy came to spend the winter in Vevey. The Shouvalov family had two daughters, including Barbara, who died in childbirth in Vevey in 1872. Her family made a donation to the town to build a church in her memory. Typical of Slavic architecture, it was designed by Ippolito Antonovitch Monighetti between 1875 and 1878 and completed by the town's architect Samuel Késer. The church was listed as a historic monument in 1979.

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.

Once covered by the glacier, the gorge is now accessible through galleries and tunnels cut into the rock. At the end of the Middle Ages, the glacier descended to Grindelwald. By 1864 it had receded to such an extent that pink marble was being quarried. At the exit of the gorge, a crystal museum exhibits the minerals of the region. A visit to the gorge, with its glacial potholes, polished stones and pink and green marble blocks, is always enchanting.

The Trümmelbach Falls are a complex of ten glacier waterfalls inside the mountain, equipped with a tunnel lift and lighting. They are the only waterfalls to come out of the glacier walls of the three mountains of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The result is a unique spectacle in Europe! These huge waterfalls are absolutely impressive, with a flow rate of up to 20,000 litres per second in spring. Indeed, it is during the period of glacier melt that the picture is most extraordinary.

In the heart of the city of Interlaken stands this small, soothing and unexpected park: a Japanese garden. Created in 1995 by a landscape architect from the Japanese twin town of Otsu, this Japanischer Garten is the first in Switzerland. In this small space, a beautiful harmony emerges between minerals and plants. A nice walk in a gentle place, which symbolizes the friendship between the two cities, Interlaken and Otsu. To be visited in spring to enjoy the colours of the season.

This is a museum for the whole family! In this playful place, you can follow the development of tourism in the region over the last 200 years on three floors. The presentation is made in a humorous way. You will discover the custom of the Kiltgang, or night visit of young boys to young girls, with compulsory passage through the window. Apparently typical of the canton of Bern, the custom seems to have been exported widely!

The valley offers magnificent alpine scenery, with historic passes and secluded side valleys. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities including hiking, trail-running, cycling and mountain biking. The alpine waters also offer plenty of places to swim and relax. For those wishing to discover the region, the MagicBlue Pass is available, giving access to three different natural sites.

Grindelwald, located in Switzerland, is a popular tourist destination for mountain and outdoor enthusiasts. Grindelwald offers a variety of activities, including mountain biking, hiking, climbing and golf. Visitors can also take advantage of the region's stunning scenery and tourist attractions, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site and theme walks.

Oberhofen Castle is set between lakes and mountains, and the view of the ensemble is breathtaking, especially at night when the castle is illuminated. In the details, the most experienced will distinguish the reconstructions carried out, from the 17th to the 19th century, around the original 12th century residential tower. The interior houses an annex of the Bernese History Museum, with a fine selection of furniture and regional collections on the Bernese Oberland. The visit ends with a stroll through the castle park by the water.

Large park on the edge of the lake with views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau trio.

Housed in a former hotel, this museum boasts an interesting permanent collection of works by Swiss pop, landscape and contemporary artists. These include Swiss masters Lory, Aberli, Lafond and Wocher, as well as ^19th- and^20th-century artists such as Ferdinand Hodler, Cuno Amiet, René Auberjonois and Paul Klee. The ticket can be combined with the Thun Panorama, featuring 360° panoramas painted by a ^19th-century painter from Basel, Marquard Wocher.

The first part of the castle was built between 1180 and 1190 by the Dukes of Zähringen and then, from 1218, by the Kybourg family. The keep dates from the first period and the cap and the four corner towers from the second. The castle was passed from hand to hand until 2006, when it was bought by the city, which installed the regional court there until 2009. Today it houses the historical museum. The view from its towers is very beautiful.

Located in the Lauterbrunnen valley, the Mürrenbach waterfall is Switzerland's highest waterfall. At an altitude of 750 m, it cascades down five levels of cliff. Enormous masses of water tumble down the Mürrenfluh River over these five levels to a height of 417 metres. It's even more impressive when the snow melts or after a summer storm. It is, however, less spectacular than its neighbor, the Staubbach waterfall, as it is hidden in the rocks while its neighbor falls steeply. It's a sublime place to discover during your stay!

The canton of Aargau is very green, offering no less than 1,600 km of trails and 1,000 km of cycle paths. It's a paradise for nature activities and green tourism. Take advantage of this wellness region to immerse yourself in the warm waters of the Zurzach Thermabald thermal springs. The tourist office will be happy to provide you with details of all the cultural discoveries and natural escapes on offer. A stopover to discover the castles is a must.

Located less than 20 minutes from the towns of Biel, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Neuchâtel and next to the Tavannes valley and the Franches-Montagnes, the Chasseral Regional Park is a magnificent place between mountains and valleys, plains and lakes. Here, the Chasseral massif sees several cultures converge at its summit: French and German-speaking, artisanal and industrial, rural and urban, land and lake... Created in 2001, the Chasseral Regional Park aims to improve the reception of the public and to maintain and enhance the natural heritage of the region.