Attractions and Places To See around Montreux - Top 20

Les Avants The village was one of the first ski resorts in Switzerland. In the nineteenth century, the spa town experienced a certain tourist development with the construction of the first hotels by the Dufour family. The construction of the Jaman tunnel in 1905, which provided a rail link with the Pays d'Enhaut, allowed the resort to become a strong tourist destination until the First World War, notably with the collaboration of the architect Louis Villard. Served by one of the first electrified railways, with a steep slope and no rack railways, the village is a popular destination for the English. It is also home to Switzerland's first bobsleigh run (which later became a toboggan run) and an ice rink. It was on this ice, which was actually tennis courts converted into an ice rink below the "Grand Hôtel des Avants", that the first European Ice Hockey Championship was held in 1910. Since 1910, the Les Avants - Sonloup funicular (still in operation, with the two carriages and the historic machines renovated between June 2012 and January 2013) has been operating on the Sonloup site, allowing sledders to climb to the top of the slopes again. The first war, especially the crisis of 1929, halted development and the large hotels gradually closed. Now competing with the many winter sports resorts created after the 1939-45 war, Les Avants was never to experience the tourist attraction it enjoyed at the beginning of the century. Ernest Hemingway had recently lived in the village for a few months in 1922 (at the "Pension de la Forêt" on the outskirts of Chamby) and wrote about his experiences and pleasures of the sled race there in several chapters of "A Farewell to Arms". In the second half of the century, the village developed into a residential area and experienced a tourist activity such as hiking and some winter activities in the low mountain range (sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ski touring). Text / Source: SIA Les Avants https://www.lesavants.ch/histoire

Les Avants The charming village of Les Avants is located at an altitude of about 1000 meters and is part of the municipality of Montreux. It is at the gateway to the Pays d'Enhaut and the Vaud Prealps. The village was one of the first ski resorts in Switzerland and was home to the first Swiss bobsleigh run. 10 km from Lake Geneva, nestled under the Dent de Jaman and the Rochers de Naye, Les Avants is an ideal place for hiking. Many marked hiking trails, including the Daffodil Trail, attract hikers, especially in May when the hills are covered with the white flowers of daffodils. Also to discover is the flower clock, one of the oldest in Europe, on the Place de la Gare. Text / Source: SIA Les Avants https://www.lesavants.ch/

In the execution cell, dangling from the rope, you have a great view of the lake for a short time

The Château de Chillon is located on the shores of Lake Geneva, near Montreux in Veytaux, Switzerland. This medieval and romantic castle is a precious historical jewel that has been enthroned on its rocky island for almost a millennium. The castle is located on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, in a picturesque spot between Montreux and Veytaux. It has become famous thanks to literary works such as “La Nouvelle Héloïse” by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and “The Prisoner of Chillon” by Lord Byron. The castle dates back to the thirteenth century and is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Europe. In addition to its historical significance, the Château de Chillon also offers wonderful exhibitions, animations and events. You can also rent rooms for special occasions.

Beautiful viewpoint at the highest point of the mountain. During the walk there you will not encounter any water fountains. It is important to bring enough water with you. There is a restaurant on the mountain if necessary.

From St. Saphorin to Lutry there is an official hiking trail on the lower part of the slope, which is also a cycle path and leads partly all the way down to Lake Geneva (this section) and there is also an official hiking trail at the very top by the terraces that leads right to the railway line. The upper hiking trail is not really suitable for cyclists in the area of the railway line, neither for strollers nor for mountain bikes 🤷. For the lower hiking trail, I recommend hiking the area between Epesses train station and the village of Cully directly by the lake and not staying on the hiking trail a little higher up. The lake promenade is a welcome change. The two hiking trails at completely different heights are ideal for a circular hike and can be reached at any time via the many winegrowers' roads running across them, depending on the desired length of the tour. The most common grape variety is "Chasselas", which I really like 😋😊.

Very popular summit as it is easily accessible via the funicular to Plan-Francey and from there by cable car to Moléson. From the mountain station, the summit is only about 200m away with a good 30 meters in altitude. Most of the time there are many people on the mountain. A little further away from the mountain station you have peace and quiet again.

We took the funicular and cable car to the top, and you are greater with an amazing view. It is an easy climb to the top of Le Moleson, and well worth the detour. The first part of the hike down is steep, with some loose rubble,. The route does get easier and then you are treated to lovely fresh smells whilst walking through the trees and the flowers are colourful.