Perched atop a small hill with the mighty Swiss Alps in the background, the Gruyères Castle forms a picturesque fairytale like image. Built in the late 13th Century, the castle has been passed down through a number of noble families but has been remarkably well preserved throughout all these years. A Swiss heritage site today, it attracts a number of visitors every year due to its rich historical heritage and beautifully manicured hedge gardens. Today it is home to an art museum with paintings by notable artists like Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Barthélemy Menn and many others. A number of temporary exhibitions, cultural events and music festivals are also regularly organized at its premises.
Montreux Railway Station was built to serve as the main railway station of the charming town of Montreux and was opened in 1861. It also serves as the western terminus of the GoldenPass Line narrow gauge railway lines to Zweisimmen and to Rochers de Naye. Along with its idyll location on a hillside overlooking the Lake Geneva, it is also one of the rare stations that is served by three different rail gauges. The town of Montreux in itself is a true vacation destination. With the Alps Mountains as a backdrop, Montreux offers a breath of fresh air and opportunities to discover beautiful landscapes and some great historic buildings.
Musée du Vieux Pays-d'Enhaut is one of the finest museums in Château d`Oex. This museum displays folklore art and artisan items that help you learn about the lives of people that lived here during earlier centuries. A wide range of cut paper artworks of Johann Jakob Hauswirth can also be found at Musée du Vieux Pays-d'Enhaut.
Holding a place of pride in the heart of Lausanne's Old Town, this imposing Gothic cathedral soars over a sea of red-roofed buildings. Although the original master mason is undocumented, construction efforts can be traced back to the 12th Century. The structure was completed roughly a century later in 1275 under an engineer named Jean Cotereel. It was ordained by three important figures - Pope Gregory X, Rudolph of Habsburg, and Guillaume of Champvent, the then bishop of Lausanne. Its belfry a home to seven sonorant bells, the Lausanne Cathedral's other noteworthy features include an exceptional pipe organ and a stained glass window considered to be one of Europe's finest. Those in the city will also hear a town crier announcing the hours every night between 10p and 2a from the bell tower, as has been tradition since the Middle Ages. An architectural wonder par excellence, this historic cathedral comes alive with a repertoire of concerts and a bevy of cultural events.
Deep in the recesses of the Sauvabelin forest lies a modern, wood-built tower which affords a breathtaking view of the rolling Jura Mountains and glistening Lake Léman. Measuring 35 meters (115 feet), the distinctive tower takes its name from the surrounding forest. Although it serves a spectacular purpose, the structure itself is eye-catching, and its spiral staircase was inspired by the helical architecture found at the Chateau de Chambord in France. Fashioned out of Douglas firs sourced from local forests, this tower and its supporting institutions are greatly inclined towards sustainable development and environmental consciousness, and strive to radiate the same principles to visitors.
The Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts is one of the most prestigious fine art galleries in the city of Lausanne; the cultural hub of Switzerland. The Musée Cantonal des Beaux-Arts exhibits the works of some of the best artists in the country, be it amateurs or established ones. There are various exhibitions and artistic events taking place here on a regular basis. If you're an avid art lover, then you will not want to miss out on the chance to see a Van Gogh or Picasso.
Located in Friboug city of Switzerland, the Bible and Orient Museum houses one of the world's richest and most diverse collection of archaeological artifacts from ancient Egypt, Southwestern Asia and the Middle east. Over 15,000 items on display can be seen here which include scrolls, books, lamps, coins, idols, amulets stored in illuminated drawers, showcases and glass cabinets. Interpretations of religious texts from Islam, Christianity, Paganism and Judaism are also provided here, making it a popular destination for theology professors and students. Guided tours are provided to visitors inclusive of the entry fee and students under 16 are not charged at all. Large groups are advised to book a visit and tour in advance.
Musée du Vieux Pays-d'Enhaut is one of the finest museums in Château d`Oex. This museum displays folklore art and artisan items that help you learn about the lives of people that lived here during earlier centuries. A wide range of cut paper artworks of Johann Jakob Hauswirth can also be found at Musée du Vieux Pays-d'Enhaut.
Terres de Lavaux offers some of the best varietals of the region's wines. Set against the backdrop of the famous terraced vineyard of Lavaux, this is where one can enjoy the best the city has to offer- wine and fine views. Boasting a collection of wines that encapsulate the essence of the region, each varietal has a its own peculiar characteristic, which sets it apart from the rest. Wine tasting tours are also organised at the neighboring vineyards, where one can learn a thing or two about the art of wine-making, as well as sample some of the finest wines of the region.
Dating back to the 1200s, Abbaye de la Fille-Dieu is a Cistercian monastery in the Friborg canton of western Switzerland. It was started by three young women of faith in 1268 and underwent construction over the next century. The abbey continues to follow its traditional prayer and liturgical schedules to this day, and its community members also work hard to produce delicious whole-grain, hot, and honey mustards for the monastery shop. Renovations on Abbaye de la Fille-Dieu began as early as the 15th century and have continued through the late-20th century, both modernizing the attraction and preserving its historical and architectural values.
A spectacular oasis lies cradled high up in the mountains of Valais. Born as a result of two mammoth landslides that dammed the Derbonne River, this spectacular tarn is an enigmatic sight of unbridled allure. Nestled in the lap of the lush Derborence Valley, Lac de Derborence is a hotbed of ecological diversity, playing host to a roster of rare waterfowl. Skirted by dense forests, this lake now doubles up as a teeming nature reserve augmented by gleaming, aquamarine waters. One of the last Swiss lakes with a natural origin, Lac de Derborence is a naturalist's dream and an excellent place for swimming, nature walks, picnicking and other outdoor activities. This picturesque lake has also played muse to author Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, inspiring an eponymous novel.
A one of a kind tribute to the rich heritage of computers, Musee Bolo was set up in 2002 and is housed in the IT building of the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne. It was the passion and love of computers of Yves Bolognini - the engineer who gave his nickname Bolo museum that gave birth to this collection. The Museum is home to thousands of objects from the history of computing and information technology and is aimed at highlighting the progress made in terms of technology and industrial design. The exhibits include the first real personal computer general public by IBM, the first Mac and more than 500 different machines, including game consoles and calculators as well. The constant miniaturization of machines and computers is beautifully measured and displayed by placing different memories or PC motherboards side by side for easy comparison.