Montreux is world-famous for its beauty institutes, nightclubs, cabarets, bars, casinos, boarding schools, the Golden Rose television festival, and jazz and classical music festivals.

Near the city, on a rocky islet, stands the famous 13th-century Chillon Castle, celebrated by Byron.

A Little History
Montreux was once a small fishing village home to many winemakers. But in the 19th century, the city became one of the largest resorts in Europe. Artists, writers, aristocrats, and bohemians from various countries began to flock here to undergo the then-popular “grape cure.” In 1904, the luxury Montreux Palace Hotel opened, which to this day remains not only a city landmark but also one of the finest hotels on the shores of Lake Geneva.

Christmas Market
Montreux hosts markets every Christmas. The main street and the lakefront are lined with wooden chalets selling wine, chocolate, and local handicrafts. A fairytale atmosphere reigns during these markets.

Bars and Where to Spend the Evening
The terrace of the Hotel Suisse-Majestic offers guests low prices by Swiss standards and a beautiful view. Every evening, a saxophonist plays live music accompanied by a drum machine.

The White Horse, an English-style pub, is always crowded with young locals in the evenings. It offers a wide selection of beers and a game of darts.
The terrace of Le Palais Oriental is stunning and very romantic, perfect for dinner with your partner.

Entertainment and Attractions in Montreux
The city’s main landmark is the Montreux Palace Hotel, often visited by celebrities and the wealthy. For example, Vladimir Nabokov lived in a room at the hotel with his wife from 1960 to 1977. Leo Tolstoy, Igor Stravinsky, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky also vacationed here. A monument to Freddie Mercury stands on the local embankment.

The city is now known for its jazz festival, which has been held every July since 1967.