Montreux and Château de Chillon

Montreux, in the canton of Vaud, lies about 95 km from Geneva at the eastern end of Lake Geneva, and the SBB train takes roughly one hour ten minutes, with departures about every 30 minutes for around CHF 38. The seasonal CGN steamer is a slower, scenic alternative costing CHF 60-80. The town is known for its flowered lakeside promenade, which runs for several kilometres and is lined with palms, sculptures and cafes against a backdrop of the Savoy Alps. The statue of Freddie Mercury, who recorded at the local Mountain Studios, stands on the promenade near the Place du Marché and is a popular photo stop. The headline attraction is the Château de Chillon, a medieval island castle on the shore a few kilometres east of the centre, with vaulted halls, a crypt and the prison made famous by Lord Byron's poem The Prisoner of Chillon. It is reached by a lakeside path of about 45 minutes on foot from Montreux, by bus 201, or by train to Veytaux-Chillon. A practical plan is to take a morning train to Montreux, walk the promenade to the castle, spend around ninety minutes inside, then return by bus or on foot for lunch in Montreux, where lake fish, fondue and raclette appear on most menus. In the afternoon visitors can wander the old quarter of Vieux Montreux or board the funicular to Rochers-de-Naye if time allows. The Montreux Jazz Festival in July draws large crowds and raises accommodation and transport demand, while the Christmas market in late autumn offers another busy season. April to October gives the best conditions for walking, with the promenade in full bloom in late spring. Combining the trip with a stop in the Lavaux vineyards at Cully is a common extension. Expect to spend CHF 70-100 including train, castle admission and lunch.