Monuments to visit Switzerland

Fountains with an allegory of Justice were a great success in the reformed cities of the 16th century. In Lausanne, the stone basin dates from 1557 and the statue is believed to have been executed in 1584-1585. The present copy dates from 1930 (the original, unpainted, is on display at the Historical Museum of Lausanne). Above the fountain, a clock comes alive every hour from 9am to 7pm. Accompanied by carillon music, a man's voice briefly tells the history of the canton of Vaud, while pretty characters appear.

When the Sardinian city installs a hydraulic machine and lays its first lead pipes, J. D. Blavignac, imagine some monumental and fanciful fountains dating from the years 1867-1868 and which are now classified as historical monuments. In addition to the architectural work which the artist wanted, they were also used to supply water to the people of Carouge. They are visible at Place du Marché (the most monumental square which is dedicated to the river along Carouge, the Arve), Place du Temple (known for its dragon-like chimeras and its Gothic appearance), Ancienne Street (basin decorated with two bronze swans) and Jacques-Dalphin Street (the least majestic). Blavignac's fountains are signed by his brand, that is, a snail. They are partly carved from local rocks and decorated with bronze sculptures.

It is the largest castle in the canton, once inhabited by a dragon according to legend. After killed, the two noble Wolfram knights and Guntram settled there. Although modified several times over the centuries, its foundations date back to the th century. Very well restored at the beginning of the th century, the castle fully captures this diversity of buildings, since there are three different sites: the house of the Knights, the Stapfer house and the historical museum of Aargau. The first, pleasant white construction, sober and impressive, the throne to the southwest of the courtyard and serves as an exhibition or banquet room.

The second, more classical, is not visiting because it is reserved for associative life, but it is an opportunity to cross the beautiful gardens, recreated according to the original th plans. Finally, the museum, housed in the residential unit of bailiffs, traces in its four sections the history of the canton.

Situated on a rocky spur, the castle dominates Neuchâtel with the collegiate church. Built from the 11th century, it was the main residence of the lords of Neuchâtel. It is a fine example (unique in Switzerland) of non-religious Romanesque architecture. The western façade, restored in 1866, is divided by sculpted cords and has a single window, decorated with a sculpture representing two dogs. The southern part and the upper part are from the 15th century. To the south are the two gardens and the Philippe de Hocheberg Gallery.

Jean Tinguely was a contemporary artist from Fribourg. This animated fountain by the artist is the little sister of the one in Basel. The stone basin is aesthetically combined with the modern sculpture consisting of wheels, metal elements and flexible pipes. It is powered by motor and water, and is a tribute to Jo Siffert, a Swiss racing driver from Fribourg in the 1960s. To be seen in winter because it is particularly impressive when the water freezes, forming beautiful spontaneous ice sculptures.

It was built between 1501 and 1522 on the former site of the castle of the Dukes of Zaehringen, founders of the city. Its symmetrical three-storey façade has a double-flight staircase in the centre. The building has a hipped roof. The tower has a clock and two bells accompanied by their jacquemarts. Inside, the Grand Council room, dating from the 18th century, is covered with Louis XVI woodwork. The room of the Cantonal Court houses two beautiful Louis XV-Louis XVI stoves. Next door, the Town Hall is from the 18th century.

Built by the architect Pierre Racine between 1716 and 1721 in the baroque style, the castle of Delémont was the summer residence of Prince-Bishop Jean-Conrad de Reinach. The castle was bought by the town in 1821. As a visitor, you do not have access to the entire castle, but you can enjoy the facades and the monumental staircase from the courtyard. The courtyard of honour was the place where the bishop took his oath of allegiance. From the car park on the Place Monsieur, you can access the gardens of the castle and its beautiful fountain on the south side.

Built between 1256 and 1344, this tower, the second western gate of Bern, was used as a prison from 1641 to 1897. Political exhibitions are regularly held here. It is said that the mother of Ferdinand Hodler (one of Switzerland's most famous painters) was a cook in the tower in the 19th century. Since 1999 it has been the seat of the political forum of the Swiss Confederation. The Prison Tower is now a symbol of democracy, participation and exchange.

Located 200 m from the Clock Tower, on the second and third floors of Kramgasse 49, this museum is a reconstruction of Einstein's apartment, where he carried out his early work on the theory of relativity. Portraits, photos, film, copies of documents and letters help us to better understand this genius. The tour takes you back to the life of Einstein, his wife Mileva and their son Hans Albert, between 1903 and 1905. Stroll through the two floors, surrounded by period furniture. A guided tour is also available.

It was in Vevey that Henri Nestlé perfected the recipe that has made the group so successful and mothers so happy to feed their children: powdered milk. Nestlé's reputation soon soared and contributed to the town's development. In 1950, the company decided to build its administrative headquarters here and commissioned Swiss architect Jean Tschumi to draw up the plans. Influenced by Le Corbusier, its overall Y shape, first floor on stilts and glass façade make it a fine example of the international style in Switzerland.

It was the center of power five hundred and fifty years ago, and remains so today. The tower was the seat of Geneva's communal power in the Middle Ages, and nowadays it houses the Council of State. When you pass the porch, don't miss the visit of the Baudet Tower, built in 1455. Originally, its function was military, as evidenced by the cannons outside. Indeed, Geneva was under a double threat: the House of Savoy was threatening and saw the city as the "key to Switzerland". In domestic politics, the episcopal see which controlled temporal power was partly in the hands of this same house of Savoy. Republican aspirations or episcopal aristocracy? Geneva was torn between these social struggles. Climb to the top of the tower by the ramp; it was designed to allow two horsemen to climb abreast without stepping on the ground, or citizens subject to gout disease to reach the top floor without getting off their sedan chair. In 1762, the works of Rousseau, Emile and The Social Contract, were burned there. These works were accused of "destroying religion and governments". The burning caused the author to renounce his citizenship of Geneva. Sitting on the bench at the entrance, the judges pronounced their sentences. The Alabama Room was the site of the first diplomatic and arbitration decisions: the resolution of a dispute between the United States and England in 1872. On August 22, 1864, the Geneva Convention was signed, the first step towards the Red Cross

A royal building? Classified as a historical monument by the State Council of the City of Geneva in 2001, the Maison Royale is undoubtedly the most impressive building in the harbor, but has never housed a crowned head! Built between 1907 and 1909 by the architects Henri Garcin and Charles Bizot, it aroused the ire of the people of Geneva who named it "the jewel with a macaque taste" during the 1909 facade competition. It was said that the building "embodied, down to its slightest moulding, an architecture capable of impressing the bourgeois and frightening the Genevois".

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.

Beuggen Castle is a jewel. Nestled in a nature reserve at the crossroads of Germany, Switzerland and France, it stands on the banks of the Rhine. The building is divided into two parts: the old castle, dating back to the ^13th century, and the new one, built in the ^16th century. From the Rhine, you can admire the façade of the old castle. Since 2017, this charming building has become a venue for accommodation, events and catering. This picturesque site also welcomes tourists for guided tours, subject to booking.

A small opera house worthy of the world's greatest! With its 1,100 seats, the Zurich Opera House - or Opernhaus - welcomes international stars. Each season, the opera's orchestra accompanies at least 250 performances with passion and artistic quality. As one of the world's most renowned opera houses, you won't be surprised to see debutantes dressed in ball gowns. You too can take a few waltz steps, visit the disco room, the cigar bar or relax in the lounge. Chic and expensive!

When the former orphanage was renovated at the beginning of the 20th century, the cellar became the entrance to the present Zurich police building. In 1924, Augusto Giacometti painted frescoes with other artist friends that give an incredible light to the dark vaults. The paintings represent the trades that contributed to the development of the city. The ceilings are adorned with beautiful flowers in orange and brick tones which have given their name to this very special place which the people of Zurich call Blüemlihalle (the hall of flowers). Not to be missed!

Perched 230 metres above sea level on a rocky outcrop, this ducal fortress is part of the city's fortified enclosure, classified by Unesco as a World Heritage site (year 2000) along with the Castelgrande and Montebello castles. Its name derives from its position, on top of a rock, like the feathers of a raven - in the Corbatt dialect. It is typical of the Sforza family, with a quadrangular tower, a keep and impressive walls 4.70 m thick. It was built in 1479 by Benedetto Ferrini, a military engineer from Florence, but he died of the plague before seeing it completed. In fact, it's the only one of the three castles with a precise construction date! It was built in just over six months, to complete the defensive line and block the road to Milan for the Confederates. The Emma Poglia room inside the castle is particularly opulent and refined, in a Baroque and Nordic style, all in solid walnut. It dates back to the ^17th century. This room was also used as a "stüva", or heating room, as evidenced by the room's stone stove, which bears the family coat of arms. Don't miss the view over the city from the castle's Belvedere, which houses temporary exhibitions. In winter, the château is closed, but the exterior and interior courtyards are open to visitors. Please note: the restoration work carried out between 2004 and 2006 has enabled the surrounding network of paths to be redeveloped with respect for nature.

Right in the heart of the town of Baden lie the ruins of Stein Castle. Originally built in the year 1000, it has since been destroyed twice: once in 1415 by the Confederates, and again in 1712 during the Second Villmergen War. Today, only the ruins remain of the former castle, which once belonged to the Habsburgs. Overlooking the town, the castle is well worth a visit for its panoramic view of the old town and surrounding vineyards. A wonderful discovery for the whole family.

This leaning tower, a curiosity in the city, dates back to the 13th century. It is 33 m high and inclined at 5.5 degrees (its inclination is higher than that of the Tower of Pisa). It is the last vestige of the church of St. Mauritius, which was partially demolished in 1893. Rehabilitation work has been regularly undertaken: the latest was in 2013 to reduce the angle of inclination. If you're passing through St. Moritz in winter, stop here: the sight under the snow is worth the trip. A trip to take pictures with the family.

Above St. Moritz, you can discover the original alpine hut from the film Heidi. For your information, the adventures of the little alpine girl were set by the author, the Zurich writer Johanna Spyri, on the slopes of the Falknis, near Maienfeld, on the Austrian border. The film was made in 1952 and made the courageous and endearing little Swiss mountain girl famous all over the world.

Built in the 1226 th century by the lords of the Toggenburg, he commanded the provost abbots who were owners from 1798 to. These governors traditionally lived in the Maison zum Toggenburg, added in the th century to the south wing of the castle. Also admire the entrance gate of 1566, and the Household House (1540) in the east wing. Today, the castle houses a local museum.

Wartegg Castle on Lake Constance dates back to 1557 and is now privately owned. It served as a refuge for important personalities on several occasions: during the French Revolution, in 1860 for Louise de Bourbon-Parme, expelled from Italy, and finally in 1919-1921 for the Austrian imperial family. Today, the château, owned by the Mijnssen family since 1994, also serves as a hotel. The 25 rooms enjoy a superb view of the English park, surrounded by the Appenzell hills. An idyllic setting for a stay in Switzerland.

The town hall is worth a visit above all for its magnificent colonnaded and rib-vaulted courtyard. It was built in 1465 in the late Gothic style after the terrible fire that devastated the city of Chur in 1464. Before that, there were three different parts of the building and it was decided to unify the building during the reconstruction. It has some beautiful rooms from the Renaissance period, notably the Ratssaal or Council Chamber (1494), decorated with carved medallions on the ceiling. One of the most unusual objects is the tower stove in the Great Council Chamber.

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.

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.

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.

Built at the end of the 17th century, Schloss Waldegg, which actually looks more like a manor house than a castle, has a baroque interior and garden. It is now a museum, illustrating the life of its owners in the 18th century. It is also a meeting place for the different languages of the Confederation. The building has a lot of allure and the visit is the pretext for a nice little stroll. A great family outing.

Burgdorf Castle was built by the Zähringen family in the ^12th century. It is one of Switzerland's oldest fortresses, and is extremely well preserved. Restored several times, this imposing building now houses a museum with several collections relating to the art and history of the region, as well as a youth hostel and restaurant. Spend the night here and experience the life of a castle!

The Gstaad-Saanenland holiday region is characterized by its typical architecture and the chalet village of Saanen. In 1575, the village was almost completely destroyed by fire. Some of the houses, however, pre-date this reconstruction. The Trachselhaus is the most famous of the village's many wooden houses, typical of the region with their square shapes and wide, canopied roofs. Some date back to the ^16th century. An audioguide is available to take you on a tour of the village.

The Fronwagplatzin Schaffhausen is a must-see. The former market square is very large and houses the Herrenstube, the house of the Schaffhausen noblemen's society, which was rebuilt in the late Baroque style in the 18th century. At No. 3, you will find a beautiful Baroque portal. There is also the Fronwagturm from the same period with its astronomical clock, as well as two colourful fountains, one of which is the Mohrenbrunnen from the 16th century. All around, numerous shops welcome tourists.