Lake Geneva
The mighty Alpine peaks with their eternal ice form an exciting contrast in the background. Geneva, nestled between hills and vineyards on the northern shore of the lake, is home to the world. As the European location of the UN and the headquarters of the Red Cross, the city has a cosmopolitan flair as well as attractive shopping opportunities, nightlife and a wide range of cultural activities. The Jet d'eau, a water fountain with a 140 meter high water jet, can be seen from afar. The old town, St. Pierre Cathedral and the Place de Bourg-de-Four, a square lined with antique stores and bistros with a marble fountain from the 16th century, are a must-see. You can slow down in countless idyllic parks. In clear weather, water tours on the lake are worthwhile all year round. Lausanne, the second largest city on Lake Geneva, sees itself as a university and congress city as well as a vacation resort. Built on three hills and surrounded by vineyards, the Savoy Alps rise up impressively opposite. The medieval town center, mostly car-free, is dominated by the mighty Cathédrale Notre-Dame. The central square, where everything comes together, is la Place St. Francois. On the shores of the lake lies the Ouchy district with its marina and many small cafés and restaurants. As in Geneva, the French language and way of life dominate here.
The Swiss Riviera, as the region between Montreux and Vevey on Lake Geneva is often called, lives up to its name with its mild climate and subtropical vegetation. The world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the highlights here, as is a visit to Chaplin's World, the Charlie Chaplin Museum on the Hollywood icon's estate in Corsier above Vevey, which only opened in 2016. We travel on to Lake Neuchâtel and the small town of Neuchâtel, also known as Neuenburg. We are close to the "Röschtigraben" (Rideau de Rösti), where the French-speaking area ends and the German-speaking area begins. The medieval university town on the northern shore of the 218 square kilometer lake invites you to visit numerous sights in the historic town center, such as Neuchâtel Castle or the high Collégiale church. Lake Neuchâtel is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts.
Photo: (c) Switzerland Tourism By-Line: swiss-image.ch / Stephan Schacher
Lage
CH
Fläche
580 km², davon 345 km² (60 %) zu CH, 234 km² (40 %) zu F
Klima
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperaturen | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| Min. Temperaturen | -5 | -4 | -2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 0 | -3 |
| Sonnenstunden | 5 | 25 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 40 | 44 | 52 | 50 | 48 | 38 | 28 |
Währung
Franken
A feast for the eyes and the palate
The "Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic" on the lakeside promenade of Montreux is a crown jewel of the Belle Époque - one of the classic hotels on the lake. In the restaurant "45/Suisse Majestic", the cuisine is modern, the ambience elegant and the service perfect. The restaurant "Kuklos" revolves around its own axis. At an altitude of 2000 m, the guest's view moves 360° in a modern setting. While the imposing backdrop of Mont Blanc and the north face of the Eiger passes by, delicious dishes play the leading role on the plates. A maritime feeling is created at "Le Watergate". Located directly on the shores of Lake Geneva, the view sweeps over the surface of the water. When the sun disappears on the horizon, yachts cross the atmospheric scene.
On the water and on land
Lake Geneva is ideal for swimming, diving and snorkeling. The gentle waters hold no unpleasant surprises and are therefore ideal for exploring by pedalo or canoe. When the need for action calls, various providers offer windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding and water skiing. It is also possible to hire and motorboat. There are myths surrounding the idyllically situated Chillon Castle. Inside, there are underground vaults, magnificent halls, castle courtyards, 14th century murals, a chapel and the defensive fortifications to discover.
Hotels
