Things to see and do Vevey

The narrow entrance to the museum leads to a 500 m² space where the entire history of photography is retraced, from the magic lanterns to the digital age. The collection of cameras is impressive and the explanations are detailed, especially concerning a whole series of amazing inventions such as the photographic cane, in 1902, which made it possible to take pictures discreetly! A special course has been planned for the younger ones.

In 2011, monumental black and white frescoes depicting scenes from Charlie Chaplin's films were inaugurated on the two towers of Gilamont, in the presence of Jamel Debbouze, Pascal Légitimus, Michel Leeb and Eugène Chaplin. These frescoes (the largest in Switzerland, at 40 metres high) were created by the painter-performer Frank Bourroullec. A total of 1,720^{m2 of} brushstrokes were needed to turn these towers into art paintings. The project was set up to enhance the district where 400 people live.

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.

In the Rue du Collège, numbers 8 to 14 form a prettyU-shaped group of charming little buildings, with doors painted red, green and blue, and garden tables and chairs. The local residents have formed an association to defend La Valsainte, and since 1990 have been staging shows and cultural events in the courtyard. No. 4 is a former prison, of which the tower remains, leaning against the ancient ramparts (which you'll have to imagine). It was the house of the chapter of Lausanne Cathedral.

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.

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.

In the middle of the Place du Marché, you can see a large square slab, formerly a press stone, on which are engraved the dates of the winegrowers' festivals since 1797, with the motto Ora et Labora, or "Pray and work". As a reminder, the Fête des Vignerons is an event that can only take place a maximum of five times per century. The last one took place in 2019, so you'll have plenty of time to prepare for the next one! The square also hosts major concerts, such as Elton John's at the end of 2007.

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.

Situated high up (above the Russian church), this site may have been a Roman necropolis (tombs from this period have been discovered there). In 1497, a tower and four turrets were added to the first church. An architecture that greatly pleased Victor Hugo, who came several times to Vevey. So much so that he would have made a sketch of it to make a replica in the Pays de la Loire region. At the back of the church, a stained glass window represents Saint Martin dividing his coat in two.

The Espace images de Vevey is the permanent showcase of Images Vevey's activities, dedicated to the presentation of contemporary photographers. Opened in 2010, the Espace Images is the result of close collaboration between the Cultural Service of the City of Vevey and the Festival des Arts Visuels. Exhibitions are proposed and the photographers are only chosen among the participants of the Vevey International Grand Prix of Photography. This enables the incredible visual heritage that arrives in Vevey every two years to be showcased in a lasting way.

The second floor of the château (where the historical museum is located) is devoted to the many souvenirs of past winegrowers' festivals: costumes, models, flags, archives, films, engravings, photographs... perfect for immersing yourself in this original tradition of Vevey life. It's also here that the brotherhood's council meets to prepare for future festivities, notably the famous Fête des Vignerons, which takes place about once every twenty years.

After the war, this ^16th-century residence, threatened with demolition, was saved by a bank and became home to Vevey's historical museum, as well as the Confrérie des Vignerons, which took over ownership in 1986. The building was restored, in particular the roof structure, where suitcases and other objects belonging to the various residents were discovered. Eight exhibition rooms, alternating regional themes and original collections.

It is the second largest Russian church in Switzerland, alongside the one in Geneva. In the ^19th century, many families of the Russian aristocracy came to spend the winter in Vevey. The Shouvalov family had two daughters, including Barbara, who died in childbirth in Vevey in 1872. Her family made a donation to the town to build a church in her memory. Typical of Slavic architecture, it was designed by Ippolito Antonovitch Monighetti between 1875 and 1878 and completed by the town's architect Samuel Késer. The church was listed as a historic monument in 1979.

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.

In March 2012, the Vevey authorities decided to no longer make the lower part of the Place du Marché available for the Vevey Plage event. Here, you could relax on a chaise-longue, sip a cocktail with your feet in the sand, or play a game of beach volleyball or pétanque. Instead, the authorities are proposing to set up a beach with sand and umbrellas, as well as a variety of activities (beach volleyball and boules), but without a drinking establishment. The lake is ideal for summer swimming.