Chillon Castle is the most famous tourist attraction not only on the Swiss Riviera, but also in Switzerland as a whole. The fortress is located near the city of Montreux.
General information
Chillon Castle is built on a low cliff near the shore of Lake Geneva. The fortress can be divided into two parts: the first, residential, is located on the lake side, and the defensive – on the road side. In total, the castle complex includes 25 buildings of different construction times.
As an exceptional heritage site, Chillon Castle has about 300 exhibits. With the exception of furniture, weapons, and armor, all items on display here were found during archaeological excavations conducted in the castle from 1896 to 1903. The collections belong to the Cantonal Museum of Archeology and History of Lausanne called “fonds Chillon” (Chillon Collection).
Photos of Chillon Castle impress with its beauty and mystery, and therefore this place is visited annually by more than 400 thousand people.
Historical notes
The history of the castle was influenced by 3 main periods.
1. The Savoy period (from the 12th century to 1536)
The first mention of the Chillon Cliff dates back to the Bronze Age. During the Roman Empire, there was an outpost here, the ruins of which were found by archaeologists (according to one of the many versions, the fortress was founded by the Romans). The fortress itself was first mentioned in 1160, as the ancestral estate of the Counts of Savoy (scientists suggest that the first structures were built much earlier-at the beginning of the 9th century).
For 5 centuries, the appearance of the castle did not change, and only in the 13th century it was decided to strengthen the building: several towers were completed and some rooms were expanded.
2. The Bernese period (1536-1798)
In the XIV century, the picturesque castle of Switzerland became a prison. Only notable criminals were held here – for example, the abbot of Vala from Corvey or the abbot of the local monastery Francois Bonivard (according to literary critics, this is the person who Byron wrote about in his famous poem). In the middle of the 14th century, during the plague, the fortress became a prison for Jews who were accused of poisoning water sources.
3. Vo period (from 1798 to the present)
In 1798, during the Vaudois Revolution, the Berts left the castle and it became the property of the canton of Vaud. At first, the building was used for storing weapons and ammunition, as well as as a prison.
Interestingly, Chillon Castle became famous relatively recently – only in 1816, when the famous writer George Byron dedicated the poem “The Prisoner of Chillon” to it.
From the 1820s to the present day, a museum has been located here.
Castle structure
For many centuries, the building was an important defensive structure in Switzerland, so its numerous owners always took care of the condition of the walls and loopholes, put a lot of effort into the reconstruction and strengthening of fortifications. The building acquired its attractive appearance even under the Counts of Savoy in the 12th century.
This is interesting! The very name of Chillon Castle is translated from Celtic as “stone platform”.
Today, the most famous museum in Switzerland consists of 25 structures and three courtyards that are protected from the road by two high walls. In the center of the large courtyard is the main tower, and on the sides of the castle are several more lookouts. Unlike other similar structures, Swiss Chillon Castle has an oval shape (like the island itself).
Castle architecture, what you can see
Chillon Castle consists of many rooms, each of which reflects the life and customs of one of the former owners. Here you can see both pompous living rooms and many expressionless utility rooms. In total, the castle has 4 halls: solemn, coat of arms, military and guest. They are distinguished from the rest of the rooms by high vaulted ceilings and huge fireplaces. The view from the windows of the halls is impressive – the picturesque Lake Geneva and the pine forest in the distance.
Berne bedroom
One of the most interesting rooms is the Bernese bedroom. It has been preserved in its original form: here, as before, there is a stove-fireplace, as well as a small bed (in those days people slept in a sitting position). An interesting feature of the room is that in the corner of the bedroom there is a small opening, which is the beginning of a long and very narrow corridor connected to the guest bedroom.
Bathroom
The bathroom is also interesting: the toilets and the bath itself are made of wood, which over the centuries has managed to peel off and get wet. In those days, there was no sewage system, which means that everything was washed directly into the lake.
Basement
It is worth remembering about the dungeons, which occupy even a larger territory than the fortress itself. In style, the dungeons resemble Gothic cathedrals of the XIII century: high ceilings, long corridors through which the wind blows, and huge pieces of rock protruding directly from the damp walls.
Walking through these rooms, it becomes clear why Byron decided to write a poem about this particular place: perhaps a more mysterious and mysterious atmosphere can not be found anywhere else. No wonder it was within the walls of the Chillon Castle that many legends and myths about ghosts and valiant warriors were composed.
By the way, every guest of Switzerland can experience the whole mystery of the castle for himself: in one of the underground halls, a surprisingly realistic decoration is installed: shadows of the past, which are projected on the walls of the ancient basement. The projector is installed so that among the shadows of counts, monks and other notable people, tourists can see their own silhouettes.
Today, the dungeons of Chillon Castle are used for storing and making local wine. The vineyard itself, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can be found nearby – it stretches from the fortress to the very shore of the lake.
Over the past centuries, the life of Chillon Castle has changed quite a bit: as before, a huge number of different people come here, but in several halls you can see modern furniture-local businessmen rent out the premises, and weddings, anniversaries and other special events are often held here.
Note! An hour’s drive from Montreux in the mountains is the small but very beautiful town of Gruyere, where the world-famous cheese is produced. To find out why it’s worth visiting, see this page.
Opening hours and cost of visits
Chillon Castle in Montreux is open from Monday to Saturday, with the exception of Christmas holidays-January 1 and December 25. The work schedule is as follows:
- from April to December-10.00-18.00;
- from January to March — 10.00-17.00.
Please note that you can enter the museum no later than an hour before closing time.
Ticket price in francs:
- adult – 13.50;
- children (6-15 years old) – 7;
- students, pensioners, Swiss military personnel – 11.50;
- family – 35;
- Montreux Riviera Card Adult Holders – 6.75;
- Montreux Riviera Card Child holders – 3.00;
- with the Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Museum Pass, ICOM card – free of charge;
At the castle’s ticket office, you will receive a free guide in Russian. You can also purchase an audio guide in Russian. The price is 6 francs.
You can check the relevance on the official website of the castle www.chillon.ch.
How to get
Chillon is located 3 km from the festival city of Montreux, so it is not difficult to get here.
By car
Switzerland and Italy are connected by the E27 highway, which runs just outside Chillon. In order to reach the attraction, you need to take the A9 road and turn into Montreux or Villeneuve (depending on which side you are eating from). Parking near the castle is paid (you can pay at the entrance).
By bus
You can reach the castle by bus number 201, which runs from Vevey and Villeneuve. Stop – “Chillon”. Buses run every 10-20 minutes. The ticket price is 3-4 francs.
On the boat
Boats and ferries run every 5-10 minutes. In high season, it is easy to get from downtown Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux and Villeneuve. Boat stop – “Chillon” (about 100 meters from the castle). The ticket price is 3-4 francs.
By train
Switzerland is famous for its high-speed trains, so experienced travelers are advised to get to Chillon Castle by rail. The direct train from Montreux to Chillon takes less than 3 to 16 minutes, and during this time you will have time to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and the lake. Get off at Veytaux-Chillon train station (about 300 meters from the castle). The price is 2.4 francs. If you buy a train ticket, you will also get a 20% discount on visiting the castle.
On foot
Still, the best way to get to Chillon is by walking. The castle can be reached in 45 minutes (4 km) from Montreux. Switzerland is a fabulously beautiful country, so during the walk you will have time to admire the beauty of the mountains and dense forests. In addition, a picturesque “flower path”leads to the castle from the city. Near the fortress there is also a beautiful beach, where you can sunbathe and swim.
Useful tips
- When buying a ticket at the castle ticket office, you will also be offered an audio guide in English for 6 francs. However, do not rush to buy it. There are really no guides or security guards at Chillon Castle, and there will be no one to ask. However, most travelers are not advised to purchase an audio guide, as the brochure, which is issued free of charge at the checkout, already has everything.
- Chillon is best visited in the morning. In the evening, as a rule, many more tourists come. However, if you arrive by car – there is no reason to worry. In the huge parking lot, you will definitely find a place.
- The Swiss Chillon observation deck is not particularly popular, but it is definitely worth a visit. From the top, you can enjoy an impressive view of Lake Geneva and the surrounding area.
- Near the castle you can find a number of souvenir shops that sell magnets, cups and local wine. However, prices for similar products are higher here than, for example, in Geneva. As for wine, it is not particularly proven among tourists. It is better to go to a nearby store and buy a couple of cheaper and better wines.
- Many tourists come to Chillon only for a few hours. And in vain: Switzerland is famous for its natural attractions, which are worth paying attention to. The most famous of them is Lake Geneva.
Chillon Castle is one of the most famous historical sights in Switzerland, and therefore it is definitely worth a visit!
Video: a brief overview of the castle in Switzerland, what you can see inside.
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