Vaud: Discover Lavaux, museums and landscapes

The Lavaux vineyard terraces stretch for about 30 kilometres along the northern shore of Lake Geneva. Their present-day form can be traced back to the 11th century. Vaud lies north of Lake Geneva, borders France to the west, and encompasses the Jura, the Vaud Alps and part of the Swiss Plateau. Vineyards, lake and mountain scenery sit alongside a wide range of cultural sites and activities.

Castles, museums and regional stories

Château de Chillon is an imposing fortress that has stood in a landscape shaped by Lake Geneva and the Alps since the 12th century. Veytaux-Chillon railway station is a six-minute walk from the castle. During your visit, you can choose from self-guided or audio-guided tours, guided workshops and costumed tours. The programme also includes holiday workshops for children and themed birthday packages. Visit formats may change, so check the current programme before travelling.

In Lausanne, the Olympic Museum celebrates the spirit of the Olympic Movement and is the only official museum of the International Olympic Committee. Its permanent exhibition takes visitors from the origins of the Olympic Games through the competitions and on to the spirit of the athletes. Screens, objects and sports equipment bring these themes to life. The museum also features temporary exhibitions, a park with works of art and a panoramic restaurant overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. Check what is currently on offer before your visit.

In Vevey, the Alimentarium focuses on food: it is the world’s first museum devoted entirely to this subject. Exhibitions, culinary workshops, guided tours and events explore questions of food and nutrition in the past, present and future. If you are interested in a particular activity, check the current programme in advance.

Other museums have their own distinct focuses. The Espace Horloger Vallée de Joux tells the story of watches, fine watchmaking and the region’s watchmaking industry. Modern interactive techniques, complicated timepieces, historical objects and virtual equipment are all part of its approach. In Avenches, the Musée romain presents the remains of Aventicum, the Roman capital of the Helvetii. Exhibits include mosaics, reliefs and a golden bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The remains of the theatre, amphitheatre, a temple and sanctuary, the forum baths and the eastern gate are accessible at all times; check local information before your visit.

Château d’Aigle houses the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin; Château de Prangins is home to the Swiss National Museum. In Echallens, the Le Cadratin typographic workshop demonstrates traditional book printing on historic presses. It is advisable to check visiting arrangements in advance. Together with Château de Grandson, a witness to the battle between Charles the Bold and the Swiss Confederates, these places offer different ways to explore history, craftsmanship and cultural heritage.

Forest, lake and trails

The Forêt du Risoud covers 2,200 hectares and is Europe’s largest contiguous forest. It stretches for about 15 kilometres along the western side of the Vallée de Joux, forming a natural border with France. Rare Risoud spruce trees are sought after by violin makers around the world for their suitability as tonewood. Experts estimate that only one in 10,000 trees meets the necessary criteria. The SuisseMobile Route 551, La Thomassette–Mézery, is a forest loop through the Risoud; ten illustrated panels explore resonance spruce and violin making. The Sentier didactique du Mas des Grandes Roches starts at the Refuge Apollo and shares information about the forest’s flora and fauna.

Windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, water skiing, kitesurfing, canoeing, kayaking and pedal boating are all possible on Lac de Joux. Aboard the 40-seat Caprice II, you can take in the Vallée de Joux from the water; trips operate seasonally, so check operating dates in advance. When conditions allow, Lac de Joux freezes over completely and becomes a natural ice rink.

Winter brings its own opportunities, too: at Col du Mollendruz, there are trails for classic and skate cross-country skiing, as well as snowshoe trails and winter hiking paths across the surrounding ridges and clearings. More trails in the Vallée de Joux run over groomed snow near Lac de Joux, at the Marchairuz and Mollendruz passes, and close to villages and public transport. Check snow and trail conditions before setting out. More generally, hiking in Vaud ranges from peaceful walking paths to challenging hikes through lake and mountain scenery, including trails through Lavaux and routes in the Jura and the Vaud Alps.

Find a hotel to suit your travel interests

When choosing a hotel in Vaud, it may help to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip: would you rather visit museums and historic sites, or are vineyards, forests and activities by the lake your priority? The attractions mentioned offer a variety of themes to help you plan your trip. If you would like to include a festival, carnivals known as Brandons, harvest festivals and Désalpes are among the traditions that have continued in the canton for centuries; dates vary by event.

Discover more destinations: Orbe, Payerne, Cossonay, Lausanne, Lavaux, Riviera-Pays-D'enhaut, Aigle, Avenches, Morges, Nyon, La Vallée, Yverdon, Aubonne, Oron, Northern Vaud Jura, Gros-De-Vaud, Broye-Vully.

For the broader travel overview: Switzerland.