Tourist Attractions & Monuments Switzerland

Date of the th century; from 1757 to 1806, he belonged to the Abbey of St. Gallen. It was then extensively transformed into the 1958 th century and now houses an evangelical home (since).

Want to learn more about the city and its history? Visit the Heimatmuseum. This local museum in Davos has set itself the task of tracing the evolution of this former farming village into a modern town, developed thanks to tourism, and of educating the public about everyday life in the past, local customs and crafts. To this end, a rich collection of historical objects and documents is on display in this ^16th-century building, now a family museum.

Leukerbad, located in Switzerland, is an ideal tourist destination for nature and wellness enthusiasts. The town is renowned for its public thermal baths, such as Leukerbad Therme, Walliser Alpentherme & SPA and Therme 51°, where visitors can enjoy moments of relaxation. Leukerbad also offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, climbing and even unique experiences such as watching the sunrise from the summit of the Torrenthorn. Wine lovers can also discover the wine village of Varen and sample the local wines at a tasting session. In summer, the summer pass gives visitors unlimited free access to the Gemmi and Torrent lifts, as well as one admission per day to one of the three public thermal baths. Leukerbad is a destination not to be missed, with its magnificent scenery and wide range of activities.

The website is very useful for planning your stay, with a full calendar of current events, and excellent suggestions for walks, activities, sports, hotels and restaurants. You can book a hotel from the site. On site, don't hesitate to visit one of the information desks for advice and good local addresses. There's also an info point inside the cathedral.

The only Swiss museum devoted exclusively to the history of communication in all its aspects. Through an interactive and very entertaining tour, the three permanent exhibitions of the museum tell us the history of telecommunications and communication. You will walk through the museum through the objects and documents kept by the Post Office. An "adventure" that encourages exchanges, meetings, dialogue - in short, communication!

It is the second largest historical museum in Switzerland after Zurich. It traces the history of the city, but also of the region since prehistoric times, through archaeological, historical and ethnological collections. It includes the original sculptures of several historical fountains and the Last Judgment of the cathedral. A section is also dedicated to Albert Einstein, who lived in Bern when he formulated his famous equation E = mc² in 1905.

It is reached by a very pleasant walk along the lake, from the east bank. At the edge of the city, the site is peaceful and very pleasant, with some contemporary works, including sculptures in the style of Tinguely. The Chinese garden, set back from the lake, was donated to Zürich by the twin city of Kunming in 1994. This small enclosure is enchanting and exotic with a small bridge over the water, Far Eastern flowers, pagoda roofs and carved wood. It is one of the most important open-air Chinese gardens outside China.

In Zurich, urban development and nature coexist in perfect harmony. Belvoir Park, one of the oldest landscape gardens in the region, is a fine example of this. It's a serene green space where it's a pleasure to stroll among the flowers. The iris and daylily garden, with over 120 species, is a real delight. What's more, the view of the city, lake and mountains is resplendent. The park's villa houses a hotel school and restaurant. A historic park full of charm to discover on your visit to the city.

The aim of the Papiliorama Foundation is to help you discover the biodiversity of the rainforest. In this little piece of Swiss jungle, butterflies and multicoloured hummingbirds swirl around you in complete freedom. Don't miss the Jungle Trek! You can feel the 1,000 or so butterflies fluttering around in the 1,200^m2 dome. Bonus: dogs are not allowed in this jungle, but a free dog hotel is available at the entrance.

Housed in the Hôtel Ratzé, the only Renaissance building in Fribourg, as well as in a slaughterhouse, a 19th century arsenal, the MAHF exhibits sculptures, paintings and objects. On several floors, one discovers the sculptures of Jean-François Reyff, the paintings of Hans Geiler, archaeological collections with. The former slaughterhouses house beautiful religious silverware. The 19th and 20th centuries are represented by some great names: Delacroix, Courbet...

Immerse yourself in the world of the fantastic and tortured art of H. R. Giger, the Swiss artist who won the 1980 Oscar for best visual effects for his artistic contribution to the film Alien. The museum is located in the Château Saint-Germain, in the heart of the city. It contains the largest existing collection of works by H.R. Giger: paintings, sculptures, furniture, film sets... Between reality, fiction, past and future, this museum will take you on a fascinating and disturbing journey. The bar associated with the museum, located opposite, is also worth a visit.

Take the world's tallest subway to access the world's largest ice pavilion, which is next to the world's highest turning restaurant… A 70-metre tunnel leads to the heart of the Fee-old Glacier of several millennia at 3 456 metres above sea level. A huge ice cave with a volume of 5 500 cubic metres allows visitors to explore the depths of the glacier.

Former fortifications from the 17th century which housed a powder magazine and which exploded. Since then, they have been rebuilt and provide a beautiful viewpoint over Freiburg with a view of its old quarters, the white university and part of the Henri Tower. The chapel of Loreto dating from 1646 is a small replica of the Santa Casa de Loreto in Italy. The small and very pretty Loreto path invites you to walk or drive down to the Upper Plank.

The region of Lake Lugano is rich in discovery. The tourist office will guide you in your visits and for practical information. The region is ideal for a variety of experiences. Don't miss wine tasting, mountain biking or discovering the rich cultural heritage of old villages and museums. If you stay in the Lugano area, the Holiday Card issued by the hotel will allow you to get discounts on activities.

Beer lovers will be familiar with Torpille, Salamandre, Mandragore and Meule from this Jura-based craft brewery. If you feel like it, you can visit the brewery and, of course, take part in a tasting of these top-fermented beers, brewed according to ancestral recipes of master brewers. Fermented a second time in the bottle, they are neither filtered nor pasteurized, to preserve their aroma and finesse.

Saignelégier, a charming Swiss town in the canton of Jura, has a tourist office to welcome visitors. Even on public holidays, the office is open from 9am to 1:30pm. The Saignelégier tourist office is an ideal starting point for discovering the Jura region and its surrounding destinations.

The museum's collection includes 3,500 fossils, mainly from the canton of Jura, of which almost 400 are displayed in the showcases. For each group, the fossils are compared with related present-day species. The museum is surrounded by the Botanical Garden, the Arboretum and the greenhouses where old Ajoie fruit varieties are kept. It is possible to sign up for thematic tours such as the Dinotec or the Banné excavations. The permanent exhibitions allow you to see the fauna of the Jura up close.

This museum is a gateway to the Jura and the history of the region. Sitting on the rampart of the old town, the building is part of an architectural ensemble from the 18th and 19th centuries. Jurassic, Monk's Head, End of the World... the exhibition uses clichés and symbols of the newest Swiss canton to shed light on the events that have marked the region and its inhabitants. In addition, there are temporary exhibitions which aim to highlight social issues.

It's a funny name for a funny cheese. Yet this hand-held mini-meule is one of Switzerland's finest cheeses. The flavors of Monk's Head's semi-hard paste are revealed by the caressing cut of the girolle. The tool transforms the slices into small, creamy shavings that are deliciously savored. The history and originality of this cheese, a Jura speciality and PDO, from its manufacture to its tasting, can be discovered at the cheese dairy.

The cloister is located to the north of the 12th century collegiate church. It was enlarged in 1380 and the Gothic architecture of its stone vaults can be admired. The collegiate church harmoniously combines Romanesque (choir and crypt), early Gothic (nave) and Baroque (altar) styles. The collegiate church hides the relics of Saint Ursanne under the high altar. The bones are kept in a stone coffin dating from the Gallo-Roman period. A very old place of worship, about fifty monolithic sarcophagi were found during excavations.

Put yourself in the shoes of a watchmaker of yesteryear, understand how the city's architecture was designed to ensure the well-being of watchmakers and the quality of their work... La Balade takes you on a thirty-nine-step journey through the history of the local watchmaking industry, starting at the Place du Marché. The faces of watchmakers like Charles-Émile Tissot and Daniel-Jean Richard will hold no secrets for you. A free guide is available from the town hall and selected retailers, as well as from the La Chaux-de-Fonds tourist office.

Unique in Europe, this cave houses an underground plant that operated until the th century. Guides, competent and friendly guides invite you to visit the places. A visit not to be missed. From the town centre, follow the Rue du Temple, then the Rue de France, west to find the mills. To make the walk more pleasant, it is possible, at the exit of the city, to go behind the Rolex factory and follow the course of the Bied.

In an idyllic lakeside setting, this is the last project by the famous Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusier (real name Charles-Édouard Jeanneret - 1887-1965), one of the most influential urban planners of the ^20th century. It is also his only work in German-speaking Switzerland. Inaugurated in 1967, the colorful two-storey pavilion is a jewel of architecture designed entirely in glass and steel. The exhibition follows the Modulor, an architectural concept invented by Le Corbusier in 1945, based on the golden ratio and human scale.

Majestic, it blends in naturally with the waters of Lake Geneva. Without doubt one of the most famous silhouettes in the world, Chillon Castle is a symbol of Switzerland, a fine illustration of the country through the harmony of its forms (twenty-five buildings) and the impression of solidity and balance that emanates from it. A fortress set on the water, a veritable lock watching over the old road from Italy, an obligatory passage - due to the narrowness of the site - on the north-south axis, it is also, facing the lake, a ducal residence. It is difficult to date this stronghold precisely, but the presence of a Roman post there already seems to be attested by coins and remains found on the site. Throughout the Middle Ages, the castle was the seat of the powerful Counts of Savoy, established in the region. In 1536, Chillon was known to the Bernese bailiffs, who first made it their residence, before moving to Vevey in the 18th century; as the taste for social life spread, they began to get bored within these solitary walls. Berne took pity on its bailiffs and bought the Tavel house in Vevey to make it their new residence. The demolition of the Chillon castle was then considered; fortunately, the cost of the operation was too high. Finally, the French Revolution led to the fall of Berne. In 1798, the country of Vaud freed itself from Bernese control and since then, the castle of Chillon has belonged to the canton of Vaud.

On site: A modern museography, temporary exhibitions, local wines for sale, souvenir shop and beach.

We can walk on this gigantic dam, which forms a huge lake surrounded by rocks. The prospect of the Alpine massif is exceptional, especially the view on Mont Blanc, which dominates the other summits majestically.

Known as the city of fountains, Bern has more than a hundred in its city. The fountains dating from the middle of the 16th century (notably the Fountain of Justice and the Ogre) represent the wealth of the bourgeoisie. They allow the Bernese and visitors to discover the history of the medieval city and to remember that in the past it was a meeting place where the inhabitants came to get water. Eleven fountains still have elaborately painted allegorical sculptures. During your visit, stroll through the streets to discover these works!

Don't miss a visit to the real Santa's home, in his grotto at the top of the Naye rocks, at 2,042 m! To get there, we suggest a train ride up to Santa's Wonderland. For children, discovering Santa's lair on the Naye Rocks is always a magical moment in the run-up to the big day. Face painting, a games corner, a treasure hunt... Small gifts and diplomas reward well-behaved children.

For lovers of hiking and nature, the Gondelbahn cable car allows you to discover the Swiss Jura, from the sky to the Wasserfallen station, where several hiking trails are located in an exceptional natural setting. The adventure park located here overlooks the famous waterfalls. Perfect for a family trip in the air.

In the heart of the country, you're treated to a truly 360-degree panoramic journey! Escape is guaranteed aboard the Gotthard Panorama Express, which links two magnificent regions of Switzerland: Central Switzerland and the canton of Ticino. The history of the country flashes before your eyes, and at every stop, you'll plunge into the vibrant past of ancient myths such as William Tell. You're free to choose the direction of your itinerary, with various departure points such as Lugano, Bellinzona, Lucerne or Arth-Goldau via the Rigi. The tour is ideal if you combine the boat and the panorama train, as they guarantee totally different and complementary sensations and views. We also recommend that you take your time to optimize your discovery. We also suggest that you indulge in the on-board restaurant, with its menu of authentic, typical dishes.

Departure by steamboat: in Lucerne, embark on a Belle Époque journey aboard your paddlewheel-powered boat. You'll cruise the crystal-clear waters of Lake Lucerne, gazing out over the Rütli meadow, the Schillerstein, Tell's chapel and other historic sites of the cantons that founded Switzerland in 1291.

Panorama train tour: the experience becomes even more intense as you continue your journey on board the panorama train of the historic St. Gotthard line, departing from Flüelen. Comfortably seated, the commentary provided by our guides along the way is a real bonus, ensuring that you don't miss a thing during the journey. It's a real thrill to watch this condensed selection of landscapes, from the most Alpine to the most southern! One of the most emblematic passages is the 15 km crossing of the Saint-Gotthard railway tunnel. This titanic structure dates back to 1882. This "secret passage" through the mountains is a feat of engineering and the stuff of legend. After this unusual crossing, your panoramic train continues to the far south of Switzerland to Bellinzona and Lugano. After this unforgettable journey along Switzerland's historic rail route, you'll be charmed by the dolce vita of Ticino. Ticino has something for everyone: a different panorama, a different lake, a different language and, above all, a different taste, like a wine full of sunshine.

The Gotthard Panorama Express is definitely an all-round experience!

An excellent way to visit Geneva at a reduced price, or even free of charge for many activities and public transport. There's no shortage of sights to see! This essential pass allows you to organize your program of visits according to your desires. The pass is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours. You'll have a wide choice of cultural and sporting activities, among others. The pass entitles you to significant discounts on museum fees, lake cruises, guided tours, sports activities, etc

Subtlety, finesse and delicacy make up the jewellery presented in this gallery. Each exhibition is unique, imbued with a deep meaning resulting from the singular inspiration of the designer. Each designer tells his or her own story in these jewels. Several universes, innovations and especially exclusive pieces to satisfy you. Annick Zufferey is also a creative designer and her models are composed with a discreet fantasy. Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones come to awaken the finely worked metals.

For a tasting with a panoramic view of the lake! The estate is managed by Maude and Simon Vogel, brother and sister, heirs to a great wine-growing family. These passionate winegrowers go to great lengths to find the right nectars for you. You may even leave with a few good bottles to bring the taste of Lavaux back home with you. The estate also offers alcohol-free tasting packages. Ideal for children and drivers, with fruit juices produced by a local 100% natural artisan. A delightful treat!

The Arosa Bear Country Park, close to the Weisshorn cable car, is a real experience for young and old. In Arosa, abused bears are taken in and given a home appropriate to their species. In the midst of the natural mountain landscape with its meadows, shrubs, rocks, small streams and forests, the bears learn to live as they would if they were not born in captivity. Visitors can observe them in their daily life.

The Dents du Midi Region Tourist Office promotes the villages of Champéry, Morgins, Torgon, Val d'Illiez - Les Crosets - Champoussin. As a true showcase and ambassador of its territory, the office welcomes you to its various offices to help you discover the riches of the region. Whether you are a great sportsman or a bucolic hiker in summer, a plethora of ideas and activities are proposed to you. You can apply for your Portes du Soleil activity sesame: the Multipass.

The relatively new Lugano Cultural Center - LAC is dedicated to the visual and performing arts, as well as to music. Facing the lake, in a highly contemporary architectural style that cannot be missed (volume of 180,000^m3), the complex is spread over three floors and boasts a huge hall, an avant-garde auditorium and a museum space. It is home to the Museo d'Arte della Svizzera Italiana, which focuses on modern and contemporary art.

Passionate about the Age of Enlightenment, collector Rosario Zoubov lived in the Hôtel Sellon, one of the most beautiful ^18th-century townhouses in the old town. In 1957, she bequeathed her collection to the State of Geneva, in memory of her tragically deceased daughter. The sumptuous salons were used for chancellery receptions. Alongside stamped furniture, there are Chinese and European objects and paintings from the ^17th, ^18th and ^19th centuries.

Dare to ask, they are there to help you! The association Bienvenue works for a better quality of life in the urban environment by welcoming people, promoting social and economic development, providing access to cultural activities and helping vulnerable people (elderly, pregnant women, people with reduced mobility). You will be able to recognize the volunteer members thanks to their "Geneva Welcome" t-shirt. The association also offers guided tours in the international district or "Geneva from Cornavin station to Place Neuve".

Explore Switzerland's largest ethnological museum, with its rich collection of European and non-European cultures. Renovated in 2011 by Herzog & de Meuron, its architecture is distinctly ^19th-century. Discover a permanent collection and current exhibitions, offering an immersive experience to see the world from a new angle. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world's cultural mosaic.

Lac de Joux (1 004 m), with Lake Brenet and Lake Ter, lies between the Chaîne chain and the massif du Mont Tender (1 679 m). It is the largest lake in the Jura (9,5 km ²), fed by the Orb and the Lion whose waters flow mainly into the limestone depths of the lake to the caves of Vallorbe. According to the season, it presents itself as a beautiful expanse of water surrounded by green mountains, paradise of wind-tops and bathers (the temperature of the water can reach 24 ° C)… or a gigantic natural rink marked with snow-capped peaks, the largest in Europe. In all seasons, it attracts many hikers and cyclists.

This tourist-oriented line offers an extraordinary journey in 2 different trains, with panoramic views of breathtaking landscapes, between lakes and peaks. A permanent spectacle punctuated by three passes, the famous 4,000 passes of the Alps, and eight lakes. The most nostalgic will appreciate the GoldenPass MOB Belle Epoque, with the allure of the Orient Express. It follows the same route as the Panoramic... In its gourmet and seasonal version, there is the Chocolate Train in summer and the Cheese Train in winter. The price includes the train journey and the visits.

Located in the heart of Interlaken, just a stone's throw from the bus station, this tourist office provides all the help you need to plan your stay. Here, the welcome is excellent and you will be advised with care: choice of excursions, visits not to be missed on the spot and in the region, programme of festivities, small restaurants to be discovered, timetables of tourist trains... The numerous brochures will be very useful for your journey.

A must-see museum and the largest art museum in Switzerland. The collection represents all the important periods of European art from the Middle Ages to the present day. Its highlight is the exhibition of numerous works by Alberto Giacometti. The collection also includes paintings by Marc Chagall and Vincent Van Gogh, as well as a large number of works by the Zurich Romantic genius Johann Heinrich Füssli, numerous pictures by the great masters and leading representatives of the classical movements of modern art, and a collection of works by Swiss artists such as Ferdinand Hodler, Giovanni Segantini, Peter Fischli and David Weiss. The Kunsthaus also has an outstanding collection of photographs by Swiss and international artists. In addition to the permanent collection, the Kunsthaus offers temporary exhibitions, making it one of the leading exhibition centres in Switzerland. Each year, 10 to 15 exhibitions are held.

In 2021 the Kunsthaus will house the E. G. Bührle Collection, one of the world's most outstanding private art collections. The focus is on French Impressionism with its precursors and successors from the early 20th century: Cézanne, Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Braque, Picasso. All these painters are represented by major works. The collection also includes works by the Venetian masters of the 18th century, Dutch masters of the 17th century and medieval sculptures.

Together with Prangins Castle, the Forum of Swiss History in Schwyz and the collection centre in Affoltern am Albis, the National Museum in Zurich forms the so-called Swiss National Museum. Located opposite the main railway station, the museum was built in 1898 in the historicist style by the great Zurich architect Gustav Gull to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Federal Constitution. Inspired by the Hohenzollern castle in Germany and the French Renaissance castles, the building has the appearance of a fairy-tale castle with turrets and vaults. Once you enter the courtyard, you will see a completely different face of the museum: the new wing, an ultra-contemporary construction of 7,400^m2, opened to the public in 2016. The Christ & Gantenbein agency designed this extension, known for its geometric and monolithic appearance, its abrupt lines and the use of concrete and tuff. Tradition and modernity are thus combined in a beautiful harmony. The museum houses the largest collection of objects on the cultural history of Switzerland and traces the history of the country from prehistoric times to modern times. Works of art, handicrafts and everyday objects tell the story of the country's inhabitants over the course of time. The art of the Middle Ages has a particularly important place here. The permanent exhibition "Simply Zurich" on the first floor of the old building is not to be missed.

On the banks of the Rhine, and thus on the Swiss-German border, there's a turn-off for Augusta Raurica, a major archaeological site in the region, which corresponds to the first existence of the city of Basel in Roman times. The site has been occupied since 15 BC, as an extension of Colonia Raurica, the oldest Roman colony on the Rhine, with up to 15,000 inhabitants during its golden age in the ^2nd century. The town was then a prosperous center, both economically and culturally. It was the barbaric Alamanni who, a century later, brought the city to its knees. The town was reborn in the military form of a castrum, a little further on at Kaiseraugst.

The archaeological site. Today, the site is rich enough to delight all lovers of Roman antiquity: an imposing theater, the remains of the temple on the Schönbühl hill from which you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view, and the mosaic exhibition in the basement. The area is dotted with maps and signposts to help you find your way around.

The museum. Numerous objects from the excavations are on display in the museum, notably in the "Roman house", a reconstruction of a house to give you an idea of how life was organized in those days. This is also where the magnificent treasure trove of silverware unearthed at Kaiseraugst rests: over 270 dishes, bowls, tableware and coins in 58 kg of pure silver.

The Forum of Swiss History is housed in a building dating from 1711, a former grain storehouse that has been completely renovated and modernized. It is the home of the Swiss National Museum in Central Switzerland. On three floors, the museum presents and explains the conditions under which the old Confederation came into being in the Middle Ages. Temporary exhibitions with contemporary museography in the basement make the museum an important cultural platform. Cafeteria and shop.

Ital Reding started building the manor house in 1609. In front of the house is a baroque garden, surrounded by two pavilions. But it is inside that the jewels of the residence are to be found: the large garden room on the ground floor, the vaulted cellar and, on the first floor, in accordance with tradition, the rooms decorated with rich wood panelling and ceilings. On a stone base, there is a room decorated with murals, built in the 16th century.

Built under Ulrich, Lord of Neuchâtel, from 1185 and completed in 1276, the collegiate church, which adjoins the castle, is of late Romanesque style. In 1530, the Reformation arrived in Neuchâtel; the collegiate church was emptied of its altars and its decoration and was assigned to a new cult. It was restored at the end of the 19th century. Inside, a rather dark Romanesque choir, the nave lighter, a beautiful funerary monument of the counts dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, restored in 1840. In front of the main entrance is a statue of the reformer Guillaume Farel. Nice cloister.

Located in a rocky cirque, it is the largest nature reserve in the canton (15.2 km²). Marmots, chamois and roe deer can be observed in freedom in a majestic setting. At the foot of the amphitheatre, the Ferme-Robert (972 m), built in 1750 and the scene of a famous fight between the woodcutter David Robert and the last bear in the region, is a good place to take a walk from Noiraigue (50 min. on foot). The alpine hut has a beautiful view over the valley.