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French-speaking Switzerland destination

A look at the French-speaking part of Switzerland!

Lausanne, suisse

Discover the region :

Nestled deep in the Alps, Lake Geneva is a true link between Switzerland and France. The region stretches across Switzerland, from the cities of Geneva to Montreux, via the towns of Lausanne and Vevey. On the French side, the lake also borders on the Haute-Savoie department, with the neighbouring towns of Thonon-les-Bains and Evian-les-Bains. From the Jura to Mont Blanc, let yourself be charmed by this region!

The area is bordered by renowned spas, dynamic towns and villages steeped in history! And above all, the lake region offers splendid landscapes with an incredible palette of colours. Shades of green and blue, flowering pastures, vineyards and botanical gardens. You will not be outdone either with the gradations of ochre and grey of the remains of castles and other historical monuments in the region.

An area conducive to escapism

Between the lake and the mountains, the French-speaking part of Switzerland is known for its vineyards (canton of Vaud) but above all for its Riviera along the shores of Lake Geneva. It also offers a number of stopovers in dynamic cities and more picturesque villages.

On the Swiss side, there are many possibilities for tourist excursions. In the heart of the coastal landscape, visit medieval Yvoire, prestigious Nyon and Morges. A little further inland, you can visit the resorts of Les Rousses and Les Diablerets in summer and winter. You can also enjoy the cheese speciality of the town of Gruyères by tasting its famous PDO.

French-speaking Switzerland also offers a range of water sports activities on Lake Geneva!  Paddle, sailboat, windsurf, kayak, pedal boat, etc. Let yourself be lulled by the lapping of the water as you stroll along the lake, regardless of the shore!

statue freddie mercury montreux suisse

Artistic anecdotes:

Visiting this area also means following in the footsteps of many artists who came to seek inspiration on the shores of Lake Geneva. In literature, Frankenstein and one of Corto Maltese’s albums used it as the background for their stories. As for music, rock fans will be delighted in Montreux! The legendary “Mountain Studios” in the Casino Barrière has seen artists such as David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and Queen perform there. The song “Smoke on the water” by Deep Purple has become one of the most emblematic hard rock songs. It is a tribute to the Montreux Casino fire in December 1971.

On the shores of Lake Geneva, we invite you to Geneva, Lausanne or Montreux.

Discover the city of Geneva!

Geneva,…

Geneva is the capital of Swiss watchmaking and chocolate, and is also home to the headquarters of major international organisations, such as the United Nations Office and the International Committee of the Red Cross. This has given it a reputation as a city of peace. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, Geneva is a perfect compromise between nature and urbanism.
Genève, lac

Where to eat in Geneva? 

CALIA : Italian cuisine : Sicilian recipes 

Restaurant de la plage : Traditional cuisine, also refreshment bar and brunches open all year round by the lake !

Na Village: Thai cuisine in a setting that invites you to travel!

 Other restaurant and bar addresses? Discover the selection of the Tourist Office of the city of Geneva!

Want to cook  ? Many markets are open to do your shopping during the week or at the weekend! Find their list with days and times!

 Italian cuisine : Sicilian recipes 

Restaurant de la plage : Traditional cuisine, also refreshment bar and brunches open all year round by the lake !

Na Village: Thai cuisine in a setting that invites you to travel!

 Other restaurant and bar addresses? Discover the selection of the Tourist Office of the city of Geneva!

Want to cook  ? Many markets are open to do your shopping during the week or at the weekend! Find their list with days and times!

So, what to do in Geneva? 

The lake and its famous Jet d’eau: Wherever you are, you can’t escape it! This water column is 140m high! As you walk along the lake in the Jardin Anglais, you will also discover the famous Horloge Fleurie, a nod to the city’s watchmaking tradition. 

 

The Pâquis, a lively district where you can discover its bath of the same name and its guinguette! Popular with locals and travellers alike!

 

The international district, as its name suggests, is home to Geneva’s international institutions. The Palais and Place des Nations, as well as the Red Cross Museum.

 

The Old Town: Discover St Peter’s Cathedral to start your visit to Geneva. From the top of this impressive building, a breathtaking panorama of the whole city and Lake Geneva. After discovering this historic monument, take the opportunity to stroll through the picturesque cobbled streets in the vicinity.

 

The Quartier des grottes: behind the bus station, an unusual district is home to some strange dwellings. Discover this surprising residential complex with its multicoloured architecture and eccentric lines. 

 

Les Rues Basses

This is the main shopping area of Geneva. A stroll through the Rues-Basses is a good way to stroll and shop. It is a pleasant walk along the covered galleries steeped in history. A must-see!

 

Carouge

A district not to be missed during the day or in the evening. A stone’s throw from the city centre, Carouge has retained its Mediterranean charm (formerly a Sardinian town). A bohemian atmosphere reigns in this “little village” where shopkeepers, shady terraces, craftsmen and antique dealers mingle. Numerous bistros, bars and small restaurants make it an essential part of Geneva’s nightlife.

 

What to do in Lausanne?

Don’t miss Lausanne during your stay in French-speaking Switzerland!

Known for its unique setting on the shores of Lake Geneva and its title of Olympic capital, Lausanne is a dynamic city that has successfully combined past, present and future!  Lausanne is appreciated for its cultural and architectural heritage. It has a historic town with its old town called “la Cité” and its Gothic cathedral. The range of museums, theatres and other places to go out at night have nothing to envy the most beautiful European capitals! Young and dynamic, Lausanne is also home to major schools and international companies. A constant cultural mix!

And for lovers of nature and good wines, Lausanne is only a few minutes away from terraced vineyards listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! 

Lausanne therefore combines the best aspects of a trendy city, a historic city and a seaside resort. A must-see, a city you won’t soon forget!

Quelles activités faire à Lausanne ? 

The Olympic Museum: Retrace the history of the Olympic Games in this grandiose 3-level establishment and relive the highlights of the Olympic Games from their creation to the present day. 

Lausanne Cathedral The spiritual centre of French-speaking Switzerland, the monument majestically dominates the city. Considered one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Europe, it attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year and regularly hosts artistic events.

 

The quays of Ouchy, the perfect place for a stroll along the lake and botanical discovery with no less than 3 parks to discover on your way! As well as the ballet of the boats in the port area.

The terraces of Lavaux, terraced vineyards, classified as World Heritage dating from the 12th century. And still producing excellent AOC-labelled grape varieties such as Lavaux, Dézaley and Calamin. For the splendour of the landscapes, for a walk at the foot of the vines or for wine tasting, an exceptional place to discover if you are visiting the French-speaking part of Switzerland!

 

The Glacier 3000: a unique place in the world offering a breathtaking view of 24 peaks and eternal snow. The site is home to the suspended footbridge between two peaks, the highest toboggan run and, among other things, the Gemskopf via ferrata.  To get there from Lausanne, opt for an excursion to Diablerets, the village at the foot of the Glacier made up entirely of chalets, with an irresistible charm! To find out more about the resort and the glacier?  It’s HERE.

 

The Flon esplanade: on a former industrial wasteland, a brand new lively district has emerged. It is now home to a multitude of trendy bars, restaurants, clubs and boutiques, ideal for a short break or a festive evening. 

What to do in Montreux?

Montreux, the Swiss Riviera? 

After Lausanne and Vevey lies the charming town of Montreux on Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud. The town of Montreux is like a postcard landscape. It is a real piece of paradise with its flower-lined promenade, artists’ sculptures and Belle Époque buildings. Montreux, a French-speaking Swiss town, also enjoys a microclimate that gives it a Mediterranean atmosphere. Hence its reputation as the Swiss Riviera! Very often associated with the Jazz Festival which takes place every year in July, Montreux is a city not to be missed which can be discovered all year round.

Envie de déjeuner, bruncher, ou dîner 🍴 ?

Fancy a lunch, brunch or dinner 🍴 ? Take a look at the interactive map of restaurants, bistros, cafés and food trucks in Montreux and its region!

Quoi visiter à Montreux ? 

The quayside/lakefront: an unforgettable walk punctuated by plant sculptures, created each autumn on a chosen theme, along Lake Geneva, between Clarens and Chillon. The walk is also punctuated by numerous statues by artists who have mostly exhibited at the Montreux Biennial.

 

La Vieille Ville : Clinging to the steep slopes, this picturesque district is worth a short walk on a steep slope to discover the alleys of yesteryear! The Old Town is also the starting point for magnificent walks, including the famous Chauderon Gorge trail.

 

The market square: discover this 19th century metal covered market hall. Not to be missed in the run-up to Christmas! Take the opportunity to admire the sculpture of the leader of the group Queen, the famous Freddie Mercury.

 

The Château de Chillon is located on the shores of Lake Geneva, in Veytaux (between Villeneuve and Montreux) in Switzerland. It has stood on its rocky island on Lake Geneva for almost a thousand years. This medieval jewel has inspired many writers who have used it as the canvas for their stories.

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[In summer only] The Montreux Jazz Festival takes place every summer for a fortnight on the shores of Lake Geneva. Every year it welcomes international jazz artists, but not only! Since its creation in 1967, many other talents have graced this unmissable stage. Information and musical program on the festival website.

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[In winter] The Montreux Comedy Festival brings together the most talented comedians of their generation every year in December. For one week, the Swiss town becomes the temple of French-speaking comedians! Reservations and programme on the festival website.

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How to get to Romandy?

You have several transport options: car, train or plane.

Also, the train remains the fastest and most comfortable means of transport to our knowledge for this destination (from France).

By plane ✈️

– Zurich Airport  (Swiss Air hub – most important trafic rate)

– Geneva Airport (Easyjet international hub)

– Bâle-Mulhouse-Fribourg airport (between France & Switzerland)

– Berne Airport 

– Lugano airport  (no direct fligt from France)

 

Good to know: Travellers landing in Geneva can collect a free transport ticket from the machine in the baggage reclaim area (Arrivals level). This ticket allows you to use public transport in Geneva for 80 minutes, including the Geneva-Airport <> Geneva-Cornavin train journey!

By train 🚆

Connections between France and Switzerland are available from major cities such as Paris, Lyon and Marseille.

To find out more about the destinations, go directly to the Lyria website.

 

By car 🚗:  

From Paris : 4h50
From Lyon : 1h30
From Marseille : 4h30

Contact Mana Homes? 

Need more information about an activity in the region or its surroundings? Define your tailor-made stay? Need help with your itinerary? 

Our teams of specialists in holidays and holiday rentals in French-speaking Switzerland know the area inside out. They will be delighted to help you book your activities or advise you. Don’t hesitate to contact them.

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