Stimreise, one of the many groups to offer evening concerts in the magical setting of the lakeside Chateau de Chillon
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – Switzerland’s most popular tourist attraction, the Chillon Castle near Montreux, welcomed nearly 340,000 visitors in 2011, an increase of 10,000, despite the high Swiss franc.
The bulk visit during the day, to see the castle itself, and last year saw a record number of these tourists: 326,287. Another 13,000 visited for concerts and other evening events.
Swiss tourists account for just under 30 percent of the visitors, with foreigners 70.1 percent.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – The past week has been a deadly one for two-wheel drivers, with two people killed and one in critical condition after three separate accidents in western Switzerland. A 50-year-old diver also died in Veytaux, near the Chateau de Chillon, close to the spot where noted musician Daniel Cho died in July 2010, shortly before he was to play at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Diver’s body found in Veytaux
The diver, who went diving alone Saturday evening 1 October was reported missing at 05:30 Sunday when he failed to return home. Police and Lake Geneva Gendarme rescue teams began searching for him and found his car parked at the chateau. Four divers began to comb the area, diving to 40 metres, starting at 10:30. An underwater robot also searched, at depths of 50 to 80 metres. The man, Swiss and from the region, was found dead at about 50 metres, early in the afternoon. An investigation into the cause of death has been opened.
Accidents in Nyon, Orbe and Chalais
Chateau de Chillon is one of Switzerland's most visited landmarks, but canton Vaud's other 11 major chateaus are also part of rich historical tapestry
LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – Canton Vaud’s 12 historic chateaus, open to the public, are joining together to offer a special deal at the end of September to encourage people to learn more about this aspect of local history. A single ticket will open the door to all 12 the weekend of 24-25 September, for CHF15 for adults and CHF10 for children or CHF35 for a family.
The 12 “monuments” are: Prangins, Ollon, Chillon, Oron, Coppet, Nyon, Morges, Moudon, La Sarraz, Yverdon, Grandson and Avenches. Some are privately owned, others publicly and while most are medieval, two are 18th century.
They are part of the canton’s landscape of about 200 chateaus, towers, fortified residences and lords’ seats.
They are regularly open to the public but the shared ticket has been offered only once before in the 17 years of the Vaud Chateaus Association.
The Lake Geneva region is good for weekend urban hikes: Geneva's Mont-Blanc bridge adorned with the UN and Geneva flags this week mark major world health and meteorology conferences
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Expect comfortable temperatures, with highs of 24-26C in western Switzerland over the weekend, but with sunshine mixed with thunderstorms, says MeteoSwiss.
Several events in the area should get you out of the house this weekend, including:
The Chateau de Chillon has on display 10 very special models of Lake Geneva’s historic paddle-wheel steamships, 1:50 scale models and some even 1:25: “La Suisse”, “Simplon”, “Helvétie”, “Rhône”, “Lausanne”, “Montreux”, “Savoie”, “Italie”, “Vevey” and the “Major-Davel”. The Lavaux vineyards that are a Unesco World Heritage site near the castle are now budding and green from the week’s rains, making it perfect for hiking.
Alpine and Jura mountain walks are never far away - cows out for a walk in Visperterminen, Valais
La Cote is learning a lesson from Geneva’s winemakers and this weekend’s winery open days in Mont-sur-Rolle will offer a shuttle bus to and from the Rolle train station and the 30 wineries that are participating. Pay CHF10 for a glass and you can sample the new wines in all the cellars for free (but don’t lose your glass!).
Nyon’s Gaos (Geneva Amateur Opera Society) offers good laughs with The Producer, which ends Saturday.
Vevey, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - The body of a diver was found by fellow divers at Veytaux, near the Chateau de Chillon, in Lake Geneva Sunday morning 3 April. Police have opened a criminal investigation into the death of the 54-year-old Swiss man from Gros-de-Vaux, and the man’s diving gear is being checked for technical problems.
The man and another diver made a descent shortly before 11:00 into an area where the water is 40 metres deep. At some point they lost site of each other as they were returning to the surface. The victim, for unknown reasons, resurfaced more quickly than is usual, and other divers in the area spotted him, floating unconscious on the surface.
An emergency medical team that arrived quickly could only confirm his death. The accident involved local police, the lake police, a Rega helicopter, an ambulance and a medical team including a specialist to provide psychological support for the other drivers involved in the drama.
Chateau de Chillon, near Montreux, Switzerland (photo, ©2011 Chateau de Chillon)
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The Chateau de Chillon, one of Switzerland’s most popular tourist attractions and its most visited national historical monument, has trademarked its name and two graphic representations.
Approval for the trademarks should allow the chateau to protect its image, limiting use of the name and graphic illustrations to items that reflect its commitment to quality, tradition and prestige, the president of its foundation, Jean-Pierre Pastori told Swiss news agency ATS 9 March.
It is the first historical monument in Switzerland to benefit from a trademark, although some well-known places, such as the Matterhorn in Zermatt and the resort of St Moritz, have trademarked their names and some graphic representations.
The chateau, receives CHF250,000 a year from canton Vaud, according to ATS, but its annual budget is CHF4.8 million.
Nearly 331,000 visitors, 70 percent of them from outside Switzerland, visited the site in 2010.
Tourists at Montreux this week: Lake Geneva is a popular attraction, in addition to the jazz festival
Montreux, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) - An American in his thirties drowned while swimming in Lake Geneva, near the Chillon beach in Montreux Tuesday afternoon 6 July, Vaud police say.
He and a fellow American were swimming together near the Chateau de Chillon, but the friend lost sight of him around 14:00 and an alarm was quickly raised. A 14-man rescue operation recovered his body, 15 metres from the beach, in three metres of water.
An investigation into the death is underway.
The area around Montreux is filled with tourists this week, with the Montreux Jazz Festival running until 17 July.
UPDATE: Regina Spektor announces the death of Daniel Cho during her performance in Switzerland.
Title: Musical theatre at a castle
Location: Montreux
Link out: Click here
Description: The Geneva Opera Studio is presenting a musical theatrical performance based on the characters of the builder of Chillon Castle and his daughter Beatrix de Faucigny, accompanied by 13th century music.
Start Date: 2010-05-15
End Date: 2010-05-16
Title: Mother’s day brunch at a real castle!
Location: Montreux
Link out: Click here
Description: A hot and cold buffet is offered on Mother’s day at the castle. A children’s workshop will allow moms to take some time off and enjoy their day.
Date: 2010-05-09
Title: Medieval Feast at the Chateau de Chillon
Location: Chateau de Chillon, Blonay
Link out: Click here
Description: An authentic 8-course medieval meal after a recipe from Guillaume Tirel, who cooked for the 14th century French royal family. With roast wild boar and sage wine. Special menu for under 14s. CHF100/person, CHF20 for kids
Start Time: 11:30
Date: 15 Nov 2009
More information, reservations on 076 491 47 03; or info@amisdechillon.ch
