Switzerland’s Stunning Riviera

You might only think of Switzerland as winter wonderland, centered on the Swiss Alps where amazing snowy adventures abound. But we’ve got another idea for your bucket list, especially if gorgeous warm weather, wonderful wines and a legendary music festival are on that agenda.

We’re talking about Vaud, the western Swiss canton (state) that includes a long stretch of Lake Geneva’s shoreline as well as the Vaud Alps and the Jura mountain range, which forms the natural demarcation between Switzerland and France. It’s a beautiful place where everyone speaks French (and usually English as well) and summers are sunny and temperate.

The canton stretches around the lake from west of Lausanne to the northern lake shores of Lavaux, where ancient walled terraces form the largest vineyard area in Switzerland, and extends past Veytaux and Vevey, and on to Montreux, the places nicknamed the “Swiss Riviera.”

It’s a place where natural beauty meets refined gastronomy, lakeside beaches, mountain vistas and much more. Here’s our idea of a perfect visit to this Swiss gem.

Stay
For a five-star luxury experience in Vaud, the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace is a legendary place to call home. Built in 1906, it’s been a hotel, a hospital during both World Wars, and ever since it’s been a landmark of the Swiss Riviera. Set right on the lake, with an imposing exterior and sophisticated interior, the Palace is a place where people gather all summer long at La Terrasse du Petit Palais, for fantastic views of the lake and the Alps beyond, to dine on seafood and other seasonal delights.

Sip
The Lavaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site because of the stone terraces built by monks in the 11th century, creating a grape-growing hillside region that stretches for almost 20 miles. Take a walking or bicycling tour to learn more about the history of this region that’s been famed for world-class wines that are not often exported (as the Swiss say, “Why export it? We drink it all here!”).

Stop into wineries along the way, like Domaine Bovy, a family-run place with a lovely wine-tasting patio overlooking Lake Geneva and incredible, massive painted wooden casks that have been used for generations. Bovy produces familiar wines using grapes like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, as well as varietals like Chasselas, Gamaret and Diolinoir, so settle in on the winery’s beautiful terrace, soak up the views and taste them all.

Savor
The Gallic influence is felt in the cuisine of this area, from the Michelin-starred Stéphane Décotterd, which serves up delicate bites of contemporary French tastes accompanied by a spectacular view, to the classic French fare found at Emotions by Guy Ravet. The Montreux Jazz Café features more international choices in a setting dedicated to music, while the beloved La Museum (since 1965) is the place to indulge in Swiss classics like fondue, raclette and charcoal-grilled meat done right on your table.

See
There are castles and estates to visit in this part of Vaud, including the famed Chateau de Chillon fortress, constructed in the 12th century and the Manoir de Ban, Charlie Chaplin’s longtime home, which now is part of a museum complex called Charlie’s World. Don’t miss the Freddie Mercury statue overlooking the lake in Montreux; the Queen singer-songwriter lived here for many years.

Singalong
Summertime means the Montreux Jazz Festival, which is celebrating its 60th year this July. The festival typically runs for the first two weeks of the month (in 2026 it is on from July 3-18), with numerous free stages both outdoor and inside, and two main indoor stages offering night shows. The music ranges from rock to reggaeton, pop to techno, with some jazz also thrown into the mix. It’s tons of fun and draws thousands of music-loving people every year to the banks of Lake Geneva for tunes, food and plenty of libations.

For this sublime summer experience, we chose Audley Travel, the Boston-based bespoke travel company, that creates trips specifically designed to make everything easy. They plan your transportation, hotels, itineraries and even set up private guides, if that’s your jam.