Geneva to Chillon Castle and Montreux: Private day trip

Chillon Castle rises from a rocky islet in Lake Geneva as Switzerland's most enchanting medieval fortress — its towers reflected in the water, its dungeons immortalized by Lord Byron, its halls guarding seven centuries of Alpine trade route history.

What to see

• The underground vaults and dungeons — the pillar to which François Bonivard was chained during his four-year imprisonment inspired Byron's 1816 poem The Prisoner of Chillon; Byron's name is still carved in the stone
• The Great Hall and the Duke's chambers — 14th-century murals in excellent condition, among the finest surviving secular medieval paintings in Switzerland
• The castle ramparts — views over the lake to the French Alps across the water

What to do

• The lakeside path from Montreux to Chillon follows the shoreline past Belle Époque hotels and subtropical gardens; the walk takes about 45 minutes and shows why this stretch of lakeshore captured the imagination of Romantic poets

Take note

• The castle is open year-round; pre-booking is advisable in peak season

Montreux occupies the most sheltered curve of Lake Geneva's northern shore — a Belle Époque resort of grand hotels and subtropical lakefront gardens, internationally known for its jazz festival, and the place where Freddie Mercury spent the last decade of his life recording.

What to see

• The lakefront promenade — palm trees, flower beds, and sculptures stretching along the shore past grand hotels; the Freddie Mercury statue at the eastern end is the town's most photographed landmark
• The Lavaux Vineyards (UNESCO) — the terraced hillside vineyards immediately above Montreux, walkable from the town, with the most dramatic views of the lake available on foot
• The Montreux Jazz Festival — held each July, it transforms the lakefront into one of Europe's most celebrated music events

What to eat

• Perch fillet (filets de perche) from the lake, meunière-style with butter and lemon, at one of the lakefront brasseries — the defining dish of the Geneva lakeshore