Lake Geneva

10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Lake Geneva

• From above, Lake Geneva resembles a reclining crescent moon. Its shores are bordered by France and Switzerland, making it the largest lake in both countries and the largest in Central Europe. Set against a stunning backdrop, it connects Western Switzerland with the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region in France.

• Between Montreux and Lausanne lies the Swiss Riviera and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lavaux. Here, delicious wines are produced and enjoyed. The lake and the terraced vineyards create a picturesque panorama that's best appreciated from a boat on Lake Geneva.

• At the southwestern tip of the lake lies the city of Geneva, home to the largest historical old town in Switzerland. Narrow streets, cobblestones, historical buildings, and many small to larger squares invite you to stroll and explore. It's definitely worth taking a city tour to truly discover the city. For a bit more enjoyment during your visit, consider the wine and cheese city tour.

• The famous and fairy-tale-like Chillon Castle overlooks Lake Geneva. It is the most visited historic building in all of Switzerland, and rightfully so. The water castle was built in the Middle Ages and today serves as an exciting museum with 25 buildings, three courtyards, underground vaults, and fascinating art from the 14th century.

• The Jet d’Eau is a massive fountain in Lake Geneva, right in front of Geneva. With its 140 meters, it is visible far beyond the lake. A total of 500 liters of lake water shoot out per second at a speed of 2000 km per hour. The spectacle is best viewed from the opposite promenade in Geneva or right at the pier by the fountain.

• A very popular city on Lake Geneva is Montreux. This city blends a Mediterranean vibe with peaks soaring 2,000 meters high. Life here is characterized by ornate house facades, the charming lakeside promenade Lungolago, a huge market hall, and a lot of music. The world-famous Montreux Jazz Festival takes place here every year.

• A boat tour on Lake Geneva is definitely worth it. From the water, you can enjoy a picture-perfect panorama of terraced vineyards, the Swiss and French mountain ranges, quaint romantic villages, castles, idyllic harbors, and the Savoy Alps.

• The city of Lausanne is located right by the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Lavaux vineyard terraces. Visitors can expect a vibrant city filled with historical landmarks set against a fairy-tale panorama. A notable characteristic of the city is its elevation change of 500 meters. The only metro in Switzerland handles a steep ascent of 338 meters over just six kilometers here.

• Everyone has probably heard of Charlie Chaplin. But not many know that one of his former residences is by Lake Geneva. Chaplin’s World, a beautiful white villa with an amazing park, is now a museum featuring some of the artist's original furnishings.

• Surrounding Lake Geneva are many charming, quaint towns. One of them is Nyon. The small old town is characterized by wine taverns, colorful window shutters, the castle of Nyon perched above the town, and the neighboring vineyards.