Vaud: Countryside, Culture & Wine

Unforgettable landscapes, trendy cities, a region marked by culture and art, but also delicious local products. This is a perfect description of the canton of Vaud, which stands out from other Swiss regions because of its unique and rich diversity as well as its four-season offer. cities such as Lausanne and Montreux. For those wishing to go back in time, Morges and Nyon are home to castles dating back to the 13th century, not forgetting the famous Chillon Castle.

Culture lovers will enjoy a wide range of activities, from the Chaplin’s World Museum to art exhibitions at the Plateforme 10 and Aquatis, the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. In Vallée de Joux, the Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet invites the public to an immersive experience at the core of the cultural universe of the famous watch-making brand.

As for sports enthusiasts, they will be spoilt for choice. During the summer, mountain biking and electric bicycles are very popular due to the many routes in the Vaud region. During the winter season, magnificent resorts such as Glacier 3000 and Leysin offer snow-shoeing, alpine skiing, crosscountry skiing and sledging, among others. In addition, the Olympic capital and its museum are located in Lausanne.

Nature and breath-taking landscapes are also part of the region’s assets. Starting with the “ terraced vineyards of Lavaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this magical site offers a magnificent view of Lake Geneva.”

In addition, there are many paths between the vineyards which are perfect for a romantic or family walk. The Iris gardens at Vullierens Castle offer calm and sublime colours, an ideal activity during the autumn. The Vaud Alps and Lake Geneva complete the wonderful Vaud landscape. These different landscapes, towns and activities are all reachable by public transport. Even better, some of the journeys are in themselves a unique activity. Travellers have the opportunity to embark on Belle Epoque boats that sail on the lake. The GoldenPass Panoramic train is another activity that will allow travellers to discover unique landscapes, and if they want to get some height, there is nothing better than a hot air balloon flight from Château-d’Oex. In addition, the canton of Vaud is punctuated throughout the year by events, starting with world-famous music festivals such as the Montreux Jazz Festival or the Paléo Festival in Nyon. During the Christmas season, the Christmas markets situated in Lausanne and Montreux offer visitors a magical time. The International Balloon Festival and the Caves ouvertes Vaudoises are two other different events that demonstrate the diversity of the canton.