Castles to visit Switzerland

Castelgrande is an imposing castle within its walls, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO like its neighbours. It dominates the city and to get there on foot you will have to climb stairs. But it's worth the effort because the view is superb from up there. Of the three castles that made up the medieval defence system of the city of Bellinzona, Castelgrande is the most imposing and even - the most important in Switzerland! Altered in the 15th century by the engineers of the Milanese Dukes at the same time as the rest of the fortifications, it became the keystone of the powerful wall, almost 500 m long, which then barred the Ticino valley in order to protect the Duchy of Milan and control the road leading to the Gotthard Pass. Between 1980 and 1991, Castelgrande underwent a restoration project led by the architect Aurelio Galfetti, which successfully blended the modern with the old. Today, the castle houses a museum, the History Archaeology and Art History Museum, which tells the story of the town for 6,500 years. To complete the premises, several establishments, including a gastronomic restaurant (40 seats) and a Ticino tavern (40 seats), have taken up residence in the large inner courtyard of the castle. There is also a large panoramic terrace at the foot of the south wing of the castle (80 seats). Also worth a visit with a passo common to all three places: the Castello di Sasso Corbaro and the Castello di Montebello and its archaeological museum.

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.

The Bellinzona fortress has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. The Bellinzona fortified complex, comprising three castles with their surrounding walls and a great wall, is an extraordinary example of a late medieval defensive structure, located at a key strategic point for crossing the Alps. "Dream of a fortress unique in Europe" is the slogan chosen to accompany the fortress in an ongoing process of content renewal. As for the Villa dei Cedri, which houses the museum, the exhibition tells the story of modern life between the ^19th and ^20th centuries. Situated in the south-east of the municipality of Bellinzona, in an area known as "the Nice of Bellinzona" due to its particularly sunny location, it is surrounded by a park of century-old trees overlooking the square of the former church of San Biagio. The building is the result of a Palladian transformation, circa 1920, of the original neoclassical building dating from 1860. A museum of modern and contemporary art since 1985, Villa dei Cedri hosts two to three temporary exhibitions a year, focusing on art from the ^19th to ^21st centuries, with a particular emphasis on works on paper. Nature is also a theme strongly anchored in the identity of the Villa dei Cedri museum, not least because of its location, once surrounded by farmland and now immersed in the greenery of a historic park.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Munot is the emblem of Schaffhausen. After the reformation of 1529, the town wanted to fortify its defences and decided in 1563 to build a new artillery fortress. But beyond the strategic aspect, the Munot above all represents the power of the city. In the 19th century, the fortress lost its strategic interest and was converted into a quarry. Perched on a hill surrounded by vineyards, the imposing fortress has a circular shape. It allowed an optimal defense thanks to its ditch and its multiple openings.

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 small community of Frauenfeld stands the castle with a panoramic view of the river Murg and the town's rooftops. Today, the building houses the Thurgau Historical Museum, which focuses on the history of the canton, especially cultural life in the medieval period. The scenography inside the castle offers a modern and playful tour with interactive animations to captivate the attention of all audiences, even the smallest.

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.

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.