Montreux: treatment, recovery, medicine, balneotherapy. Information about medical centers and sanatoriums in Montreux. Reviews from tourists about Montreux.
- Tours for the New Year to Switzerland
- Last minute tours to Switzerland
City code
8-10-4121-phone number
How to get there
Flight to Geneva, then transfer about an hour (60 km).
Trains run to Montreux from Geneva (Sfr26, 70 minutes, departure every hour) and Lausanne (Sfr9.80, 25 minutes, three times an hour). On the way to Interlaken, the GoldenPass Panoramic offers amazing views of the mountains and the fabulous nature of Switzerland (change at Zweisimmen and Spiez, Sfr60, 3 hours, once a day).
Weather in Montreux
A little history
Montreux was once a miniature fishing village, where winemakers also lived. But since the 19th century, fate has prepared a different path for Montreux - the town turns into one of largest resorts Europe. Aristocrats and bohemians, artists and writers from many countries come here to undergo the “grape course” of treatment, which was popular in those days. In 1904, the luxury hotel Montreux Palace opened in Montreux, which still remains not only a landmark of the city, an important part of its history, but also one of the most popular hotels on the coast of Lake Geneva.
The world-famous song “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple was created not without the help of one unfortunate event in Montreux. On December 4, 1971, during a Frank Zappa concert, one of the fans fired a flare gun into the ceiling of the Montreux casino where the concert was taking place. A fire started that destroyed the building, and the picture of smoke over the water (Smoke on the Water) was etched in the memory of the band members who saw it from their hotel window.
Christmas market
Every Christmas there are fairs in Montreux. The main street of the city (Grand "Rue) and the lake embankment are lined with wooden chalets where you can buy local wine (tasting is free and offered everywhere), chocolate and local crafts. The atmosphere during these fairs is magical. Children will especially enjoy the Pere Noel park, where a skating rink and a mini-train appeared in 2006.
Bars or where to spend the evening
The terrace of the Suisse-Majestic Hotel (45 avenue des Alpes, opposite the train station) offers really good prices for Switzerland and a beautiful view. Here a saxophonist plays live music in the evenings accompanied by a drum machine, and he plays well.
The English-style pub The White Horse (28 Grand Rue) is always crowded with local young people in the evenings. And they can be understood: here a good choice beer and darts.
Those looking for a special place for a special event should pay attention to the terrace of Le Palais Oriental (Quai Ernest Ansermet 6) - amazing and very romantic views, coupled with an amazing dinner available.
Flight over Montreux
Treatment in Montreux
Many people go to Montreux for beauty and health. The famous La Prairie clinic is located here, providing a full range of services for face and body care, nervous system restoration, weight loss and plastic surgery. Holidays in Montreux can be very active: tennis, water skiing, horse riding, hiking (long walks in the mountains). The evenings are usually spent visiting taverns, restaurants and wine cellars.
Guides in Montreux
Popular hotels in Montreux
Entertainment and attractions in Montreux
The main attraction of the city is the building of the Montreux Palace Hotel, where celebrities and the mighty of the world this. For example, Vladimir Nabokov lived in a hotel room with his wife Vera from 1960 until his death (in 1977). They have rented rooms here since 1964. The writer is also buried nearby, in the cemetery of the town of Clarens.
Today the city is famous for its jazz festival, which has been held annually since 1967 in early July.
A stunning view opened up to us even at the entrance from the E27 highway, a floating lake and “floating” mountains, the lower part of which is hidden by haze.
The spring day turned out to be surprisingly warm and sunny. The wondrous nature took your breath away! A well-groomed embankment with original flower arrangements, and now, as if from a fairy tale, the flap of a white swan’s wing and it is ready to eat from your hand. By the way, swans are not at all friendly, and if you go down to the beach and have a picnic on the sun loungers, you cannot avoid the attack of the white-winged divas.
We park at the hotel where it all started, the Montreux Palace or Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, which is now one of the main attractions in Montreux. The most luxurious hotel in Montreux in Switzerland, guests have at their disposal mini golf, a garden and a swimming pool.
Where else, if not here, could such a figure as Vladimir Nabokov while away his last years of life? In a luxurious six-room suite number 64, he lived here with his wife for the last 16 years of his life. Well, what about without a monument?
Opposite the hotel you can stroll through the garden with cast iron figures of Nabokov, B.B. King and Ray Charles. In addition to cultural figures, the surrounding area was also chosen by Russian revolutionaries: Bukharin, Figner and even the Ulyanovs...
We cross the main street of the city, Grand’ Rue, and here it is - an embankment stretching along Lake Geneva for 15 km! Here the city noise subsides and you find yourself in a different reality. If a person is capable of leaving a negative review about Montreux?
Like most Swiss cities, it is - ancient city, with its own history. Residents of a small town quietly caught fish in the lake and grew grapes on the slopes of the mountains. But how could such a wondrous place fail to attract the attention of privileged people? It’s interesting that there are still such untouched corners in the world? Since the 19th century, Montreux has become one of the first resort destinations in Europe.
It's time to refresh yourself! By the way, if you are tired, there is always a free place for a picnic; the creators of the embankment wisely took care of this; there are a variety of benches, seats, and chairs in abundance here.
Local designers arrange surprises for visitors literally every season! We were lucky to play musical instruments.
Residents of the Swiss Riviera are not without a sense of humor. We were very surprised by such piles of all sorts of rubbish, I sinfully thought that this is modern art! I'm behind the times, I need to get involved. But it’s true, such installations improve your mood!
And, after 3 months, the trash turned out to be an example of landscape design =)
It should be noted that there are also examples of modern art here!
Arriving in late autumn, we found masterpieces of landscape design being dismantled. Danya was very sad about the car, he loved to twist the steering wheel there.
When the bright colors of the gardeners' creativity fade, they are dismantled and something new is created. The pearl of the Swiss Riviera does not lose its zest. In winter, according to a twenty-year tradition, plant sculptures are created here - thematic compositions from natural materials - moss, spruce branches, branches. Dinosaurs, gnomes, chess, fairy-tale characters and more have already become ideological inspirations. This year we were greeted by the Smurfs, the hands of the Belgian artist Pierre Culliform (pen name Peyo).
We managed to catch the creation of these creations.
First, a metal frame was created, which was then filled with pine needles.
By the way, if you believe the legend, it is almost impossible to penetrate the village of the Smurfs. So we can consider ourselves very lucky.
On the way, Danya is pleased with the gorgeous playgrounds that we cannot pass by. And again the romance is similar to the Geneva Montbalne: lake, mountains, swings….
And literally behind the site is located Marché Square or Place du Marché.
Here, through the efforts of the Czech artist Irena Sedlečka, one of the main attractions of Montreux flaunts - the monument Freddie Mercury.
Of course, no tourist can pass by this. It’s simply impossible not to take a photo with Mercury.
It was in Montreux, Switzerland, that Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury decided to stay until the last day of his life. And it was here that he recorded his latest album, Made in Heaven. Queen musicians bought a local recording studio, Mountain Studios. In it they created the album "Jazz", named after the jazz festival held in the city.
The monument was originally planned to be installed in London, but the authorities, for some unknown reason, were against it. Freddy Mercouri loved the capital of the Geneva Riviera dearly, so he didn’t have to think long about where the monument should be!
Since 2003, the first weekend of September has become “Mercury days”. Fans of his work come here, excursions to Freddie’s favorite places are organized, concerts are held, and the monument is buried in flowers.
And motor ships glide past, cutting through the surface of Lake Geneva. The Belle Epoque fleet is a separate source of pride for the Swiss. Among the ships there are also historical steamships, which are already more than a hundred years old! All of them are recognized as the historical heritage of the Confederacy and are protected by the state.
The local fountain on Place Marché is another fun activity for children and, if desired, for adults.
On Fridays, Place Marché turns into a market, and before Christmas it almost completely changes its appearance and transforms into one of the most beautiful fairs in Europe.
Marche de Noël - no less interesting attraction of Montreux .
More than 140 artisans and traders, located on the shores of Lake Geneva in colorful, brightly decorated houses, offer a myriad of original gifts: souvenirs, jewelry, sculptures, New Year's decorations. A wide range of Swiss dishes: fondue, chocolate, sausages.
And I can’t help but mention the casino Casino Barriere- the oldest gambling house in Europe.
This casino is famous for the fact that it is about it that is sung in the Deep Purple song “Smoke of the water”. On December 4, 1971, at a Frank Zappa concert held in the casino building, one of the fans fired a flare gun into the ceiling. A fire started and the casino burned down. And the title of the Deep Purple song, translated as “Smoke on the Water,” reflects the impressions that the band members experienced:
“We all came out to Montreux at the Lake Geneva shoreline...”
But that's not all that can be interesting in Montreux in Switzerland. The Jazz and Classical Music Festival, the Golden Rose TV Festival and the Festival of Laughter also attract crowds of tourists.
Local closed private schools are famous throughout the world, however, the cost per year starts from $25,000 per year.
Walking along the embankment, you should carefully look around, as not only historical monuments will be remarkable, but also simply plaques, which are masterpieces in themselves!
(100 km from Geneva) has the right to be called one of the most luxurious resorts in Switzerland. Montreux is located in the Vaud region. The nature of this small town surprises with its variety of tropical plants. Along the embankment you can find palm trees, almond trees, cypress trees and magnolias. And all this thanks to the unique microclimate. The landscapes are very reminiscent of Sochi and Crimea. If it weren't for the snow-capped Alps on the opposite side of Lake Geneva. The air here is so clean that you immediately want to quit smoking.
During the day, mostly transit tourists walk along the Montreux embankment, who, driving along the lake coast, stopped here to explore the beauties and attractions of the city. If you have the opportunity to visit this wonderful Swiss resort, this Swiss Riviera, during your vacation, then first of all I advise you to see the monument to Freddie Mercury on the embankment.
Monument to Freddie Mercury in Montreux.
Here in Switzerland, in Montreux, Queen and Mercury rented a recording studio, and they worked a lot here. The monument is easy to find; it is located right on the embankment.
Another attraction of Montreux, which I think also needs to be seen, is the monument to Vladimir Nabokov. The monument is located near the hotel where he lived with his wife from 1960 to 1977. By the way, he moved here from America. The hotel is also easy to find, everyone knows it. The hotel is called Montreux Palace. Here they rented a room on the sixth floor. We walked along these streets and went to nearby cafes to drink coffee or tea. In Montreux, more precisely, not far from Montreux, in the town of Clarence, Nabokov was buried along with his wife, who died in 1992.
In the hotel itself, in the lobby, if you go inside, there is a gift from Yu. Luzhkov. More precisely, a gift from the Moscow mayor's office. This is a sculpture by V. Nabokov.
It is not surprising that bohemians of society vacationed in Swiss Montreux, namely such celebrities as L. Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Including Charlie Chaplin. By the way, I also moved here from America and lived in Switzerland for twenty years. A monument to Chaplin is visible in the Montreux VIDEO. So this is not in Montreux, but in Vevey. Vevey is a town near Montreux, if you go towards Chillon Castle. There are also monuments to BB King and Miles Davis. Montreux is a musical city. It hosts an annual jazz festival, and the Montreux Palace Hotel hosts guitar and pianist competitions. If you're lucky, you can get into these competitions, because... the entrance is free. And the jazz festival takes place in the concert hall. Stravinsky. As you can see, Russians loved to vacation in Switzerland, and especially in Montreux, and therefore Russians in Montreux are still respected. Rich Russians.
However, what is noteworthy is that the embankment is now full of all sorts of different street vendors. In my opinion, these are simple (or not simple) emigrant migrant workers to earn money. They sell all sorts of nonsense: cheap watches, knives, etc.
The Montreux resort in Switzerland is not for rich people, but for the very rich. The most famous and richest people on the planet send their children here to private closed schools, who, in turn, visit private closed nightclubs, bars and casinos. And their parents, coming to visit their offspring, make appointments at the local expensive clinics and SPA salons. If you're lucky, you might meet some celebrities on the streets of Montreux.
We were not able to swim in Montreux. The shore is strewn with rocks and the water is not at all suitable for swimming. We were in Switzerland in Montreux in the spring, at the beginning of June. We swam later when we went to Chillon. Indeed, the water in Lake Geneva is cold, but we simply could not help but swim. For memory.
The vineyards lie above the city itself, and opposite, on the other side of Lake Geneva, you have stunning views of the Swiss Alps. If you take the rack railway, you can get to the top of the Rochers de Naye mountain at an altitude of about 2000 meters above Montreux and enjoy a magnificent panorama. This tour takes you through vineyards and you'll be very lucky if the weather is good. Especially in summer. Otherwise, you won't see anything and will waste your time. Serrated Railway, this is a type of funicular consisting of two or one carriages. At the top there is Observation deck. The cost of the excursion is something like 30 euros (I don’t remember how many francs it will be).
From Montreux you should definitely go to Chillon Castle.
But that is another story.
Small but cozy Switzerland attracts tourists with its enchanting beauty of local landscapes, high-quality service, and interesting sights. Montreux is considered one of the most popular and prestigious resorts not only in Europe, but also in the world. In the summer, wealthy travelers come here to enjoy the view of the Alps and wander along the embankment, which at one time inspired many writers, poets and composers to create masterpieces.
The town is located on a small hill, it is surrounded on one side by a calm and on the other by the mountain range for which Switzerland is famous. Montreux is surrounded by a very mild climate, which is why it is also called the “pearl of the Swiss Riviera.” The unique microclimate affected the local vegetation. The city is surrounded by the greenery of magnolias, laurels, cypresses, palm trees, and almonds. Along the shore there is a boulevard decorated with flowers and interesting sculptures. All this is reminiscent of the annual international jazz festival held in Switzerland in the middle of summer.
Montreux cannot be considered a city with a breathtaking history, a huge number of architectural monuments. It is very rich; not everyone can afford to vacation in this area. Luxurious hotels stretch along the shore, amazing with their appearance. Active tourists will not be bored; in Montreux, vacationers can enjoy horseback riding, tennis, and hiking in the mountains. In the evening, you can have fun in a bar or casino, dance to fiery music at a disco, taste local cuisine in one of the many restaurants, and taste the famous white wine of the canton of Vaud, of which Montreux is so proud.
Which is of interest to many tourists, boasts both ancient and modern historical, architectural and cultural monuments. Fans of ethnography can be recommended to take a look at the Museum of Old Montreux, which tells the history of the city from its founding to the present day. In the old part, not far from the central station, on Market Square, there is a statue of the famous lead singer of the Queen group, Freddie Mercury.
Switzerland is also famous for its luxurious castles. Montreux has one of the famous fortresses, which was built back in the 13th century. Located on a small rocky island, which at one time struck Lord Byron, and he wrote the poem “The Prisoner of Chillon Castle.” Tourists can see with their own eyes the ducal chambers, the knight's Hall of Justice, dungeons and dungeons, and a wooden chapel. It seems that everything here is thoroughly imbued with the spirit of the struggle of the Dukes of Savoy with the Protestants.
Montreux hotels welcome guests throughout the year. Switzerland is beautiful in any season, and the city's favorable location allows you to travel to every corner of the country. Not far from Montreux is Lausanne with a magnificent Roman amphitheater, Roche, where the Organ Museum is located, Aiglier with the Museum of Salt and Wine. Not far from the city there is the world's largest labyrinth, a water park, children's parks, and zoos.
Having come to relax on the Swiss Riviera, many tourists stop in Geneva or Montreux. And this is not surprising, because these cities are considered the largest pearls on the coast of Lake Geneva. Montreux, which began as a small fishing village, is now known for its expensive private schools, aesthetic clinics, nightclubs and entertainment venues. However, besides just “hanging out”, there is something to see and admire here. It was in Montreux that we vacationed world famous This is why, when holidays at foreign resorts just began to come into fashion, notable aristocrats and artists of Russia such as Tolstoy, Gogol, Vyazemsky, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky began to come here (by the way, the local concert hall, which hosts an annual jazz festival). It was in Montreux that the writer Vladimir Nabokov lived with his family for a long time; they rented several rooms in the Montreux Palace Hotel. There are no official excursions there, but if you come to have a look, they will not refuse you. The Nabokovs came to Montreux from America in 1960, and not immediately, but still chose the Montreux Palace Hotel for a long stay, where they rented several rooms on the sixth floor, one of them was for the secretary. I just wonder why he didn’t buy a house in Montreux? Maybe because Russia was his only home? Vladimir and Vera Nabokov were buried in the town of Clarence, not far from Montreux. 
But the most famous and popular monument in Montreux is probably the only monument in the world to Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the group Queen. It was here that the famous singer spent the last years of his life; he purchased a recording studio in Montreux and recorded the last album of his life in it with the group Made in Heaven. Finding the monument is not at all difficult; it is located right on the embankment, on the market square. 
Also, in the city there are monuments to BB King and Miles Davis, but forgive me for my ignorance, I don’t even know who these people were.
And if you turn east from the square and walk literally not very far, you can almost literally find yourself in a flower paradise, or more precisely, in the Flower Promenade. This is a very quiet and secluded recreation area where cars are prohibited; maximum access is allowed by bicycle. And what’s even more pleasing is that you can’t even hear the noise from nearby roads. The Flower Promenade is a long avenue with all kinds of flowers and trees along Lake Geneva. 
You can walk here for hours, and you simply cannot get tired of such walks, because there is nothing more beautiful than living nature.
That is why, probably, dozens of expensive hotels were built along the flower promenade; selling a chic view is very convenient; you can earn good money without making much effort. 
In the area of the Grand Hotel Swiss Majestic, the promenade turns into a “rock park”, where very interesting flower beds are created, decorated with marvelous figures made of pebbles of different shapes, colors and sizes. 
Having come for a walk in Montreux, tourists simply must visit Chillon Castle; this is one of the few European castles that has been preserved almost in its original form. It was built by the Count of Savoy back in the 13th century (according to some sources, the castle was built even earlier, in the 11th century) in order to control the main road between Northern and Southern Europe, which ran right between Lake Geneva and the Alpine mountains. For such an important purpose, the count chose a strategically convenient place on a rock that rises quite a bit above the lake. The castle was not only a fortress, it also served as a prison at all times; Jews who were suspected of poisoning the water during the First World War were imprisoned and tortured here. But Chillon Castle became widely known thanks to Byron; he, impressed by the visit, wrote the poem “The Prisoner of Chillon” - a story about Francois Bonivard. On one of the columns of the castle, Bpynor himself left the inscription “Byron was here” (even great writers like to stain the walls), and this inscription is shown to all tourists without fail.
Now the castle is a museum. Here you can see living rooms, a chapel, state rooms and prison cells, as well as a collection of ancient weapons. All rooms and decorations have been preserved almost perfectly. 
A small note - there are no restaurants or cafes near the castle, a shop with juices and sandwiches does not count, so you will have to take care of provisions yourself.
