Montreux, 90 km west of Geneva, 30 km west of Lausanne, between the Lake and the Swiss Alps is a town of over 25,000 people. Famous for its Jazz and Golden Rose Festivals it boasts one of the most beautiful walks along the lake. It has a strong cultural heritage with David Bowie, Noel Coward, Freddie Mercury, Tchaikovsky, and Dame Joan Sutherland being former residents.
Visitors can also relive the more recent Belle Epoque era on board a steamer cruising across the lake to Lausanne or Evian in France.
Although there had been small settlements since Roman times it was the nineteenth century that saw wealthy tourists flocking to the area, attracted by its Mediterranean climate and beautiful location. The region features historic castles and wine growing vineyards.
The region’s history comes to life inside the walls of 12th century Chillon Castle, where the secrets of an eventful medieval past are revealed. It is the most visited historical monument in Switzerland.
Most of the population speak French as their first language with German being second most common. English is also widely spoken. Two thirds of the population are either Roman Catholic or belong to the Swiss Reformed Church.
