This is Vaud
Vaud (German: Waadt) is located in western Switzerland and borders France. It stretches from the
Jura to
Lake Geneva and the
Vaud Alps. Vaud is a popular destination due to the
terraced vineyards of Lavaux, the
Vallée de Joux and cities such as
Lausanne and
Montreux.
Discover Vaud
The best way to discover Vaud is by public transport: start with a cruise on Lake Geneva in a
historic paddle steamer. Explore lively Lausanne on the only
underground railway system in Switzerland. After a detour to
Chillon Castle, journey by panoramic train along the
Montreux Riviera to the Vaud Alps. Alternatively: Enjoy a picturesque train ride to
Lake Neuchâtel at the southern foot of the Jura.
Lake Geneva from Nyon to Montreux
Arc lémanique is the name given to the area around Lake Geneva – from the La Côte region via Lausanne and Lavaux to the Montreux Riviera. The entire route is dotted with charming places to linger and enjoy. Sample
local wines accompanied by Vaudois specialties such as
Malakoff grilled cheese sandwiches. The towns of Cully and Montreux are known for their jazz festivals, while
Nyon has a famous film festival,
Morges has its tulip festival and
Vevey its wine festival and
Chaplin’s World.
Vallée de Joux and the watchmaking industry
It takes next to no time to get from Lake Geneva to the Vallée de Joux, the home of Swiss watchmaking. The futuristic
Audemars Piguet studio in Le Brassus or the
Espace Horloger in
Le Sentier are well worth a visit. The lakes of
Joux and Brenet, the pastures crisscrossed by dry stone walls and the Risoud forest all share a timeless beauty.
In and around Vaud
The city of
Geneva with its
Jet d’Eau lies at the southwestern end of Lake Geneva. A trip on the
GoldenPass panoramic train to
Gstaad is unforgettable. More excursion ideas: The city of
Fribourg with its many bridges, charming
Neuchâtel and the Jura with the
Areuse Gorge and the
Creux du Van natural rock amphitheatre.
Experience Vaud for less
The
Lake Geneva-Alps Regional Pass offers you free travel on two to three days of your choice and a 50% discount on the other days. The
ValPass guest card allows you to travel free of charge on public transport in the Vallée du Joux. Free travel and other discounts are available in Lausanne with the
Transport Card and in Montreux with the Riviera Card.