Golden Hour at Chateau de Chillon
on the Beautiful Montreux Riviera
Golden Hour at Chateau de Chillon on the Beautiful Montreux Riviera
Did you know that the Chateau de Chillon on the beautiful Montreux Riviera is one of the most visited attractions in Switzerland? This historic castle offers the visitor plenty to explore and is probably Switzerland’s most well known castle.
Between Montreux and Villeneuve
Chillon Castle is located on a little island castle on Lake Geneva, south of Veytaux in the canton of Vaud. It is situated at the eastern end of the lake, between Montreux and Villeneuve. It is famous for many reasons including its stunning location, its beautiful romanesque architecture and for being the subject of Lord Byron’s poem “The Prisoner of Chillon”.
Strategic Position on Lac Léman
The castle began as a Roman outpost, with its strategic position on the lake close to the Alpine passes. From the 12th to the 16th century it belonged to the Counts of Savoy before being conquered by the Bernese, and finally the Vaudois. Over the years, the architecture evolved with the influences of the Savoy Period, the Bernese Period and the Vaudois Period.
Perfect To Visit Anytime of The Year
It is a wonderful place to visit anytime of year and there is so much to see that you should allow enough time to do it justice. There is so much to see with wall paintings dating from the 14th century, the underground vaults, parade halls and the bedroom, preserved in its original form, which dates from the time of Bernese rule.
Chateau de Chillon Complreses 25 Buildings and 3 Courtyards
In total there are 25 buildings and three courtyards, to explore, protected by two circular walls. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing as there are quite a lot of steps and a lot of walking involved to see it all properly. In fact it’s almost impossible to do it in one go, which makes it a great place to go back to and to explore again.
Photographer Sebastian Andrei visited it and captured these beautiful shots of the exterior of the castle at Golden Hour.
Things To Visit Near Chateau de Chillon
Whilst you’re in the area you may wish to visit the town of Montreux, the town of Vevey or perhaps the famous Fork In The Water in Vevey.
Hotels In The Area Near Chateau de Chillon
There are plenty of good hotels in the area, here are some suggestions:
Fairmont Montreux Palace – visit the website here
Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic – visit the website here
Modern Times Hotel – visit the website here