Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva and set against one of the most stunning backdrops of the Swiss and French Alps, the Montreux Riviera is an area of beauty not to be missed.
It attracts local and international tourists all year round as there are so many things to do in Montreux. Whether it is for the famous Noël de Montreux – Montreux Christmas Market, or for its famed Jazz Festival during the summer months.
But for me, there is one season when the beauty of the Montreux Riviera stands out, and this is during spring.
This lakeside resort transforms into a colourful painting, birds are chirping and the promenade fills with smiling people enjoying the warmth of the spring sun along the Montreux Riviera.
Read our guide on things to do in the Montreux Riviera in spring.
Things to do in the Montreux Riviera in Spring
This place is beautiful and one single day is not enough. Spend some time around the Montreux area and explore this beautiful place at Lake Geneva a bit longer.
Hotels in Montreux
The Montreux Riviera is not a cheap place but with the help of the map below you should find some suitable accommodation for your budget.
When Best to visit the Spring Flowers in Montreux
Below you will find a list of 10 things to do in Montreux Riviera in Spring. Having said that, Montreux is very much an all year round destination and a visit anytime of the year will be amazing.
- As early as the beginning of April be sure to check out the Montreux webcam which is located on the roof of the Eurotel Hotel.When you move the cursor to the right you can see if the grass in front of the famous Hotel Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, is still green or already covered in beautiful flower arrangements.
- Another great way to check whether the flowers in Montreux are in blossom is to use the #montreuxriviera on instagram. Click on “recent” and check the last few photos. If the flowers are ready to be admired you should be able to find many photos taken by tourists.
Voila, let’s get started with our list of things to do in Montreux during spring.
1. Enjoy the spring flowers along Montreux Promenade
The landscape gardeners of Montreux create flower masterpieces every year.
Along the lakeside promenade between the Montreux Music & Convention Centre and the Casino Barrière de Montreux, flower lovers are in for a treat.
To get the most out of these spring flowers in Montreux, start at one end and stroll to the other. In between there are restaurants, street food stands and if you are in luck there might even be some street artists entertaining the crowd. A great place to be and to be seen.
2. Hiking within the Narcissus fields at Pléiades
Let’s stay a bit longer with the spring flowers in Montreux.
From mid-May to mid-June (seasonal weather depending) there is a spectacular nature event occurring in Montreux. Thousands and thousands of Narcissus bloom on the hillsides of the Montreux Riviera quietly overlooking Lake Geneva.
Well, it is actually not that tranquil anymore. The fields experience many tourists each year and some unfortunately less respectful to nature than others.
If this is on your Montreux itinerary, try NOT to go at the weekend.
Read our blog on how to get to the Pléiades Narcissus fields in Montreux.
3. Visiting Château de Chillon
Standing at the lake front you will find Château Chillon (Chillon Castle). This 13th-century fortress is Switzerland’s most visited historical building.
It is also seen on many postcards and rightly so. From every angle it is simply beautiful.
The Castle houses several medieval frescoes and Gothic dungeons. Explore the haunting interiors for yourself as you soak up the atmosphere of this medieval castle.
On a self-guided Chillon Castle tour there are explanatory brochures available in many different languages.
The Castle hosts several different events and workshops throughout the year, such as cooking classes, games for children, theatre shows etc. Check their events calendar to see whats on and the up-to-date restrictions and entry prices. Purchase your tickets to Chateau Chillon.
How to get to Chillon Castle?
By Car
Exit the A9 motorway at Montreux or Villeneuve. There is limited parking opposite the Castle.
By Train
You can easily get to Chillon Castle by the local train from Montreux to “Veytaux-Chillon”. The Castle is then only 300 m away.
By Bus
Arriving by Bus N 201 from Vevey, Montreux or Villeneuve. Your exit will be “Chillon” in front of the Castle. The buses run frequently (every 10 to 20 minutes).
By Bike
Alternatively, what we like to do is park our car at Villeneuve and cycle the 2km along the lakeshore path to the Chillon Castle. This allows for a beautiful cycle tour along the shore of Lake Geneva. Alternatively, you can walk and best of all it is pushchair friendly.
On Foot
The “flower-path” is a romantic 4km lake-side walk from Montreux to the Castle.
4. Take your picture with the statue of Freddy Mercury
Standing proudly in the middle of the famous Montreux Riviera promenade – Freddy Mercury (the statue)
If you didn’t know, Freddy recorded his last song in Montreux and with the band Queen spent a lot of time here in their recording studio.
The statue is right on the waterfront of Lake Geneva and makes an ideal spot to admire the spring flowers of Montreux.
5. Visit the Charlie Chaplin World Museum and Statue in Vevey
Another great personality who made Switzerland his home was Charlie Chaplin. Together with his family he lived happily in Corsier-sur-Vevey.
Due to Chaplin’s popularity, the British sculptor John Doubleday created the famous bronze statue of The Tramp, which was erected in the quays of Vevey in 1982.
The museum “Chaplin’s World” is a unique combination of amazement, stories, and emotions. Enter into the world and visit where Charlie Chaplin spent the last 25 years of his life – at the Manoir de Ban estate.
For more details and entry prices visit the dedicated website. And get your Chaplin’s World tickets.
6. Step into the worlds 1st in its kind Food Museum – The Alimentarium
The giant fork sticking out of Lake Geneva just by Charlie Chaplin’s statue is the trade mark for the Alimentarium Food Museum created by Nestlé
It is the first museum anywhere in the world all about food. Walking through the museum will explain the way different cultures have eaten from past to present and what may come in the future.
There is a permanent exhibition – Food-the essence of life – and it will take you on a journey through the world of food.
How to get to the Alimentarium
The Alimentarium Food Museum is very centrally located at Quai Perdonnet 25, 1800 Vevey. Only a few minutes on foot from the boat jetty or train station. If you arrive from Montreux by bus it is a short walk from the Hotel de Ville bus stop.
7. Sweeten your tooth at the Läderach ChocoAtelier in Vevey
If you are visiting Montreux Riviera in spring this might be the perfect address for your trip. Spring and easter means chocolate. And the Läderach ChocoAtelier in Vevey know all about this sweet little thing called chocolate.
Children can make their own easter chocolate plaque whilst tasting many exquisite flavours and seeing how the chocolatier makes the cutest easter bunnies. Of course, the Läderach ChcoAtelier can be visited throughout the year.
Läderach, is at the Rue de Theatre 8, 1800 Vevey only 400 metres from the Vevey train station. Note that they are closed on Sundays.
As always I recommend to check the dedicated website to get full information and the current situation.
8. Walking within the Lavaux vineyards
Another great walk in the region are the wine Terraces of The Lavaux Vineyards. Also known as the Swiss wine trail.
Although we love this hike a lot during the later months when the whole terraces are painted in the autumnal shades.
But I can imagine this walk to be as pretty during a nice spring day.
9. Enjoy a Boat Cruise on Lac Leman – Lake Geneva
Take a boat trip to get a different perspective of the whole Montreux Riviera Promenade, its hills and vineyards.
The relaxing cruise docks very frequently along the lake shore which gives you plenty of options.
For example, you could walk along the flower trail from Montreux to Chillon Castle, visit the Castle and ride the boat back to Montreux.
Or sail a bit further to Vevey, visit Charlie Chaplin’s Statue and maybe even the Charlie Chaplin World Museum and walk back along Lake Geneva amongst all the spring flowers to Montreux.
If you are visiting Montreux in the spring be sure to check the boat time tables. The boats may not yet run as frequently as they would during the summer months. Get your Boat Ticket here
10. Admiring the views at Rochers-de-Naye
If you are spending the weekend in Montreux or even only one day, why not make the effort and ride the train up to Rochers-de-Naye.
You will be rewarded with stunning views over Lake Geneva and the Alps.
This is an activity I suggest you only do if it is a sunny spring day in Montreux because you are going mainly for the view.
The train starts at the Montreux train station and it takes 45 min. It is a slow train ride up the mountain but the views are just stunning.
Good to know about the things to do in Montreux in Spring
- Even if you do not have a lot of time or maybe are even just passing by Montreux on the way to the beautiful Swiss Canton Valais, I recommend to stop for a couple of hours. The spring flowers in Montreux just along the promenade are absolutely beautiful and well worth the stop. Just sit by the lake, have an ice cream and enjoy the atmosphere.
- Montreux is easily accessible by car or train. If arriving by car on a busy weekend, it may be difficult to park right at the promenade.
But having said that Montreux offers several parking garages within the centre.
Be prepared and check the LIVE website which indicates where there are still places to be found. - Arriving by train is a great solution. Many Hotels in Montreux are close by the train station.
- If you are staying the night in Montreux, most of the accommodation providers include a free Montreux Riviera Card. As in many other Swiss cities this allows you free public transport in the Montreux and Vevey area. Furthermore, with the card you are entitled to different discounts on many activities and entries. Make sure you ask at your hotel in Montreux to get the card.
Our Conclusion on the things to do in the Montreux Riviera Spring
Whether you are just coming to see the spring flowers in Montreux for a few hours, or you are staying the weekend in the area, visiting the Montreux Riviera in Spring gives a feeling of warmth, holiday and energy after a cold winter in Switzerland.
We pass Montreux many times when visiting other great Swiss areas and it is rare not to exit the motorway and head down to the shore of Lake Geneva. Even if it is just for an hour or two.
There are always things to do in Montreux no matter the season, weather and occasion.
Day trips and tickets for Montreux activities
If you spend longer in the Montreux Riviera and want to explore a bit further a-field. One day trip from Montreux we recommend highly is to ride the GoldenPass Express train line from Montreux to Interlaken.
Or check out these tours on offer here below. Plus you can get tickets for the Montreux activities as well.
More Travel Guide to Lake Geneva Area
- GoldenPass express Train Line – Montreux to Interlaken-Ost
- Les Pléiades Narcissus Hike – Montreux
- Jura & Three Lakes – 4 day Itinerary
- Murten / Morat With our Bikes and the SBB to the Region Jura & 3 Lakes
- Terrasses de Lavaux – Vineyard Autumn Hike
- Château d’Oex – Pont Turrian and along to Cascade du Ramacle Also possible to BIKE
- Ormont-Dessous, Les Mosses – A family Hike to Lac Lioson – Lioson Lake
If I have missed anything on this post, or if you have some more questions on The 10 Things to do in Montreux in Spring then leave a comment below. It is always nice for others to see some real people conversations.
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Thank you, Never forget to explore!
