Chillon Castle ; Guided Wine Tour

Discovering the Chillon Castle vineyard on a guided wine tour is the original offer from this iconic monument.

Chillon Castle

A Little History

The castle stands on the shores of Lake Geneva, in Veytaux. Elongated in shape, it measures 110 metres long and 50 metres wide. Occupied successively by the House of Savoy and then by the Bernese, it now belongs to the Canton of Vaud. According to Albert Samuel Gatschet, its name comes from the Vaud dialect and means “flat stone, slab, platform”. The Latin expression Castrum Quilonis would thus refer to a castle built on a rocky platform.

Guided Wine Tour

Chillon Castle ; From the Vines to the Banquet

An excursion opens the doors of the castle’s vineyard. Steeped in history, it reveals the terroir of the Clos de Chillon, an award-winning grand cru. The tour starts at the entrance to the vineyard, a ten-minute walk from the castle towards Montreux. Several stops punctuate the route, among the vines, in the castle courtyard and in the cellars. Stories and archives bring the history of the place back to life. Guided and friendly, the walk ends with a tasting of the estate’s wines. Appetisers prepared by the Café Byron, next to the castle, accompany them. The café pays tribute to Lord Byron, author of the famous poem The Prisoner of Chillon.

The tour lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and booking is required.

Chillon Castle ; Good to Know

The castle stands on a rock on the shores of Lake Geneva, between Montreux and Villeneuve. In 1816, the poet Lord Byron made it famous with his poem “The Prisoner of Chillon”. The site can be reached by train to Veytaux-Chillon or on foot from Montreux, along the lakeside. The walk takes about an hour. In Montreux, Ladurée (in French) and Chaplin’s World (in French) complete the day.

Chillon Castle ; A Landmark of the Riviera

A Much-Visited Monument

A favourite for school trips, the castle is part of many French-speaking Swiss people’s memories. It also lends itself to a visit with friends from elsewhere, to rediscover part of Swiss heritage. It is in fact among the most visited historic monuments in the country. This tasting walk offers an original approach. The team works brilliantly to renew the discovery of the building. For the curious and food lovers alike, it is the perfect outing on the shores of Lake Geneva. The events calendar on the website presents other special activities throughout the year. In Montreux, the Petit Palais terrace (in French) invites you to extend the day.

Avenue de Chillon 21, 1820 Veytaux
Website

Chillon Castle

Article written following an invitation from Chillon Castle