From Ouchy, you can see the long, stepped vineyards facing the lake and the Alps. A surprising landscape that separates the major conurbations of Lausanne and Vevey-Montreux. The history of this region, which has been on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 2007, dates back to the 12th century. Over the centuries, man has succeeded in shaping a constraining environment, transforming it into a work of art.Because of the steep slopes, ranging from 13 to 43%, the Lavaux vineyards are built on terraces. Over 800 ha, vines and low stone walls run in long lines parallel to the road and lake, reaching 18 km in length, or more if you count the overflows on the Lausanne and Vevey-Montreux sides.Lavaux is famous for its wine, which owes much to the richness and diversity of its soil, as well as to the "Three Suns": the one that comes from the sky, the one reflected by Lake Geneva and the one stored as heat by the low walls of the terraces. The microclimate here, very mild thanks to the lake, enables us to produce a wide range of wines. Most of the harvesting is done by hand, as the steep slopes and confined space prevent mechanization. Only a rack-and-pinion monorail is used to slide a seat and wagons of grapes. On the steep Dézaley slope, a funicular railway was installed. This superb setting has inspired many artists, including Gustave Courbet, and served as a backdrop for films such as Merci pour le chocolat, by Claude Chabrol (2000).

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Les vignes de Lavaux au bord du lac de Genève. bluejayphoto
Vignobles de Lavaux et le lac Léman. Sim-crow - Fotolia
Vignes de Lavaux. bluejayphoto - istockphoto.com
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