Switzerland Lake Geneva Region

Geneva is the second most populous city in Switzerland. Situated where the Rhone exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. The opera house has the largest stage in Switzerland. It features opera and dance performances, recitals, concerts and, occasionally, theatre. The Victoria Hall is used for classical music concerts. Every summer, the Geneva Festival is organised. Hundreds of thousands of people come to Geneva to see the annual one-hour long grand firework display. Museums and art galleries are everywhere in the city. The Palace of Nations, home of the United Nations headquarters, can also be visited.

Zermatt is famed as a mountaineering and ski resort of the Swiss Alps. Until the mid-19th century, it was predominantly an agricultural community; the first and tragic ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865 was followed by a rush on the mountains surrounding the village, leading to the construction of many tourist facilities. Much of the local economy is based on tourism, with about half of the jobs in town in hotels or restaurants and just under half of all apartments are vacation apartments. The petroglyphs and prehistoric grinding stone at Hubelwang is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance..

Montreux is located on Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps. Montreux is home to several Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire urban village of Territet / Veytaux as well as the Caux, Montreux and Villas Dubochet areas are all part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. Montreux hosts several noteworthy annual festivals. Montreux boasts one of the most beautiful walks along the lake, stretching from Villeneuve all the way towards Vevey. The main square of the town, features a statue of Freddie Mercury facing Lake Geneva. The Château of Chillon provides a marvelous view of the entire Lake of Geneva and can be easily accessed via bus, train, walk or boat.

Its location close to glaciers provides winter sport opportunities throughout the year, and neighbouring peaks are popular climbs in the summer season. Saas Fee is considered to be a very attractive winter sport destination in the Swiss Alps. Typical activities include skiing, carving, snowshoe trekking, canyon climbing and ice climbing, snowboarding, paragliding, hang gliding, and tobogganing. Saas-Fee can be reached by car or bus. No cars are allowed to enter the city; only small electric vehicles operate on the streets. The resort offers many culture, sports and off-slope activities, including classical music, a sports and leisure complex, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Lausanne boasts 46 sites that are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance including museums and religious sites. The entire old city of Lausanne and the Vernand-Dessus region are listed in the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The Orchestre de chambre de Lausanne, the Lausanne Opera and the Ensemble vocal de Lausanne provide a diverse and rich musical life. In January, the Prix de Lausanne, a dance competition, takes place at the Palais de Beaulieu, attracting dancers from all over the world. Each July, the Festival de la cite is held in the old part of town, as well as other annual music festivals. Lausanne is also the home of the Bejart Ballet.

The Champery – Planachaux cable-car and the 6 seater chairlift in Grand-Paradis takes skiers to the Portes du Soleil recreational area. With 194 ski lifts and over 650 km (400 mi) of ski slopes, this is the largest international ski area in the world. The Portes du Soleil recreational area keeps 24 chairlifts open for the summer, giving access to over 600 km of paths. The Dents du Midi and the Dents Blanches mountain ridges also offer walks and hikes. Champéry’s Palladium, the National Centre for Ice Sports, offers indoor and outdoor activities and regularly hosts national and international ice-sports training camps and competitions.

Sion is the capital of the Swiss canton of Valais. Landmarks include the Basilique de Valere and Chateau de Tourbillon. Sion has an airfield for civilian and military use. There are 14 sites in Sion that are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance, including secular buildings, religious buildings, as well as the remains of a neolithic settlement and the modern city of Sion. The entire town of Sion and the village of Bramois are both part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Vevey is located in the canton Vaud, on the north shore of Lake Geneva, near Lausanne. Vevey is home to the world headquarters of the food giant Nestlé, founded there in 1867. Milk chocolate was invented in Vevey by Daniel Peter in 1875, although the first chocolate bar was produced in Bristol, UK in 1847 by Fry and Sons. There are 14 structures in Vevey that are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance including four museums, three churches, as well as the Administration Building and Historical Archives of Nestlé SA, Aile Castle, the Cour au Chantre, the City Hall, the Hôtel des Trois-Couronnes, the La Grenette and Place du Marché and the Saint-Jean Tower and Fountain.

The Gemmi Daubenwand is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The Gemmi Pass is accessible by the cable-car. From the pass, there is a magnificent view of the Alps. Known in summer for its hiking trails, it is enjoyed by families because of the small beautiful lake Daubensee. In winter, Daubensee is ideal a variety of winter sports and hikes. The cablecar to Torrent Alp goes to the Rinderhutte. In winter it is a paradise of skiers who have 50 km of runs. In summer it offers a network of hiking and mountain bike trails. The panoramic views from the Rinderhütte are breath taking. Leukerbad is also home to famous Thermal Baths, whose history dates back to the Roman times.

Saint-Maurice is a municipality and district capital of the district of Saint-Maurice in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is the site of the Roman outpost of Agaunum and the mediaeval St. Maurice's Abbey, which has become a famous high school in Switzerland. St-Maurice D’Agaune Abbey, Saint-Maurice Castle with the Cantonal Military Museum, Maison de la Pierre and the Bridge over the Rhône (shared with Bex, Vaud) are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire Saint-Maurice castle and city area are part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Nyon is a municipality in the district of Nyon in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is part of the Geneva metropolitan area. It lies on the shores of Lake Geneva and is the seat of the district of Nyon. The municipality is located between the Jura Mountains and Lake Geneva. Nyon Castle and the Museum of the History of Porcelain, the Roman Colonia Iulia Equestris, the Swiss Reformed Church of Notre-Dame, the Manoir at Rue Maupertuis 2 & 4, the Roman Museum and the Union of European Football Associations are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire old city of Nyon is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Morges is home to several prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements that are part of the Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps UNESCO World Heritage Site. The De La Croix Blanche Inn, the buildings at Grand-Rue 54 and Grand-Rue 94, Morges Castle along with the Military Museum of Vaud, the City Hall, the Bronze Age shore front settlement Les Roseaux/La Grande Cité and the Temple are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire old city of Morges is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The four prehistoric settlements are all part of the transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site of Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps.