Guided tours Switzerland

Discovering a city thanks to the knowledge and passion of a local guide is undoubtedly the best experience of all. A number of themes are on offer, including the unmissable tour of the old town, Place de la Palud, the cathedral, Saint-François church, Ouchy, "Les chocolatiers lausannois", "Lausanne anecdotique", "Quand les murs se colorent", the history of bridges, "Trois collines, deux cours d'eau" and many other excellent ideas. These tours, led by the host guides of the Mouvement des aînés du canton de Vaud, only take place in summer.

Behind the scenes of chocolate. The Favarger factory opens its doors and reveals some of its secrets. Let yourself be guided and discover the beautiful adventure of the Favarger family. No staging here! We show you the real process of artisanal manufacturing. Dressed in your charlotte and protective clothing, you will discover each step of production: from the selection of raw materials, the roasting of the beans and the creation of the chocolate.

Here's an excellent way to discover the shores of Geneva and the region from a completely different angle. Founded in 1873, CGN has a fleet of 19 boats, including 8 Belle Epoque vessels. Departing from the quays of Mont-Blanc and Jardin Anglais, as well as Pâquis and Eaux-Vives, you can cruise along the beautiful shores of the Geneva harbor, or head for other cities (Nyon, Yvoire, Evian, Lausanne). It also offers a wide range of hourly, day, evening and gourmet cruises, with numerous escapades to Swiss and French shores.

Sail on Lake Geneva, its waters changing according to the season or the light, between the Alps and the Jura mountains, to discover the Swiss shores from another perspective. It's a unique experience. In addition to its regular shipping services, CGN also offers a wide range of cruises, the jewel in the crown of which is its fleet of superb Belle Époque cruise ships, commissioned between 1904 and 1927. These steam- or diesel-powered boats with side-mounted paddlewheels look great. Come aboard the flagship of this historic fleet, aptly named La Suisse, or one of its luxurious companions: Savoie, Italie, Montreux (the oldest!), Rhône, Vevey, Helvétie or Simplon. Dinners, fondues, lunches and sightseeing tours are a must! A unique heritage preserved by CGN.

A cruise on Lake Lucerne is a must and all seasons bring their own attractions. In addition to the simple pleasure of sailing and enjoying the magnificent scenery of the mountains and the city (the city lights at night are dazzling!), there is the added advantage of connecting interesting areas without taking your car. With its five historic paddlewheelers and fifteen elegant motor boats, you will travel back in time and reach the most important tourist destinations in the region.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Don't miss this opportunity to discover Geneva in an authentic tramway dating from the ^20th century! The Geneva Tramway Museum Association, which is in charge of their conservation, offers an unusual tour. From May to October, one Sunday a month, the streetcars take us back in time to discover the city, from Carouge to the Nations, passing through Plainpalais, from Rive to Place Neuve and back down to Carouge. A must try!

A visit to Morand's is a must. For four generations, the house has been a must when travelling through the Valais! The distillery has been in operation since 1889 and produces the most emblematic product of the Valais: its eau-de-vie. The tour explains how the famous Abricotine PDO brandy, Williamine, is made. You will wander around the stills and discover all the secrets of production: from the selection of the fruit to the fermentation process.

It is difficult to visit Geneva without paying tribute to one of its unavoidable specialties: chocolate. Over the years, the quality and unique flavors of Swiss chocolate have not wavered. The Geneva Tourist Office has set up a very original program to allow travelers to taste the various flavors and aromas of Geneva's chocolates. The concept is simple: the purchase of the "choco pass" allows to test a wide range of chocolates in a "tasting plate" proposed in the stores listed in the "choco pass".

This minitrain is made for strolling through the park with your children, and it's been around since 1964! This electric train will take young and old on its tracks along a circuit of the Vidy grounds, along the lakeshore linking the port and the Théâtre de Vidy. The adorable, recently repainted minilocomotives take children on a leisurely tour of the grounds. It's a fun way to stroll around, and toddlers love it... It's a great way to fall back into childhood with your kids!

Best of Switzerland Tours offers a wide range of private and group excursions in the city of Zurich and the most important tourist attractions in German-speaking Switzerland. Our multilingual guides will take you to the eternal snows of the Jungfraujoch, to the Top of Europe or to the Mount Titlis... This is the ideal formula for those who appreciate organized bus tours. Some of the guides tell many interesting stories about the places visited. Book in advance!

You can't get enough of certain tourist transports. This little train allows you to visit the city in a playful way and without getting too tired. You will have plenty of time to climb the streets during your free visit. It goes around the city and takes place at Place Georges-Python. Easily recognisable with its white and blue colours, it takes you into the historic centre and is an alternative to the funicular, for example. It works like a hop-on, hop-off, which allows you to stop and pick it up whenever you want.

Strolling along the banks of Geneva from Swiss Boat promises you a gentle stroll rich in discoveries. The Swiss Boat company organises several types of themed cruises, for example "Along the Rhône", or the cruise known as "The Mermaid". Routes last up to 2 hours 45 minutes for the cruise along the Rhône, which takes you to Peney (gastronomic stopover at the Café de Peney) or Verbois. The company also rents yachts and boats for private events.

Keytours has more than one trick up its sleeve to offer you a tour that meets your expectations. For the fun part, go on board a small train and receive live commentary on one of the 3 themed tours: "the old town", "the parks and residences", or "international Geneva". A range of daily excursions goes to the neighboring towns and mountains: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (package including the Aiguille du Midi or the Mer de glace), Gruyères (Cheese and Chocolate factory), Lausanne-Montreux-Chillon (includes the cruise to the Chateau).

The association Pré en Bulle proposes to create links between the districts of Grottes, Cropettes, Montbrillant by activating the associative and collective fabric. It sets up activities for children, teenagers and the general public. In addition to the bicycle exchange, it offers an original way to discover Geneva, and more particularly the Grottoes district. Why not take a bike or simply your two feet, a headset and let yourself be guided through the unusual places of the district, in a completely free way? The audio recordings are provided by the association, as well as the mp3 player if you don't have one with you. Visiting this neighborhood with locals, on a bike, is a very personalized way to get to know all the details.

Beautifully dubbed the Golden Circuit, this combination of several types of transport allows you to complete a loop around Mount Pilatus: by boat, cogwheel railway, cable car and gondola. You'll discover every facet of Mount Pilatus: the magnificent Lake Lucerne from Lucerne to Alpnachstad, the cogwheel railroad, alpine meadows, rivers, towering peaks, flora and fauna, delicate enzianes and, of course, the Swiss Alps with no fewer than 73 peaks. An unforgettable experience.