World Country Guide

Southwest Switzerland

Geneva is a university town situated on the Rhne-outlet of Lake Geneva (Lac Lman), at the southern foot of the Jura mountains. Its popularity is, however, not only due to its excellent surroundings. It owes its cosmopolitan nature to the presence of the United Nations, the International Red Cross and numerous other international organisations. Elegant shops, nightclubs, restaurants, fine museums and art galleries and an extensive calendar of cultural activities make it a favourite with many visitors. The old city centre is best explored on foot. One of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture is the Cathedral de St Pierre. The flower clock, with over 6,500 blooms, near the lake in the Jardin Anglais pays homage to Geneva’s watch industry. A boat trip on the lake is recommended. Dominated by the Jet d’Eau, a 145m- (476ft-) high fountain, the lake is generally alive with sailing boats. A crisp breeze known as the bise (kiss) blows across the lake and there are facilities for all kinds of watersports, as well as golf and riding nearby. Geneva is also a traditional European centre for health and recuperation, and maintains state-of-the-art sanatoria such as the 100-year-old Clinique Gnrale Beaulieu.
Geneva is the gateway to a variety of ski resorts. One especially extensive area well-suited to families but with excellent skiing for all abilities is Portes du Soleil, a cluster of small resorts forming a massive skiing circuit which straddles the French-Swiss border. Key Swiss resorts here include the pretty traditional village of Champry, and the tranquil purpose-built mini resorts of Champoussin and Les Crosets.
The capital of the canton of Vaud, Lausanne is situated on the northern shore of Lake Geneva. The symbol of the city is the Cathdrale Notre-Dame in the Cit, the old centre, and the Chteau St Maire (1397-1431). A walk along the promenade of the old Port d’Ouchy reveals a slower pace of life. A funicular can be taken from Ouchy to the inner city of Lausanne.
Several rivulets and rolling hills dominate the canton Vaud, a famous wine-producing region. Other traditional activities in the region include wood sculpture and cheese-making. Vaud also boasts one of the country’s most important historic buildings: the Benedictine monastery Church of St Pierre (11th century) in the small town of Romainmotier. Montreux is renowned for its mild climate and the International Jazz Festival in July. At Villars there is an 18-hole golf course, while nearby Chteau d’Oex, Les Diablerets and Leysin are major sporting centres for climbing, mountain-biking, skiing, paragliding and hiking. Each summer there is a rock festival at Leysin and there is summer skiing on the glacier at Les Diablerets (noteworthy for its panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the icy peaks and green valleys of the Alps).
The traditional village resort of Gstaad is an upmarket, glamorous destination for skiers with extensive slopes and a thriving aprs-ski scene. Smaller, more family-oriented winter resorts include Chteau d’Oex, Leysin and Villars.
Valais (‘The valley’) stretches all the way from the Rhne Glacier past Brig, Martigny and Sion down to Lake Geneva. Nestling between the northern and the southern side of the Alps is a diverse landscape which will entice every visitor. Glaciers can be found on all peaks of the Valais Alps which are the highest in Switzerland: Dufour Peak (4634m/15,217ft), Dom (4545m/14,917ft), Weisshorn (4509m/14,793ft) and the Matterhorn (4478m/14,698ft). Small villages of weathered wooden-beamed houses, with flowers pouring out of the windowboxes in summer, perch in clearings high on the slopes. High transverse valleys give access to their resorts at the foot of the alpine giants such as Saas Fee in the Saas Valley and Zermatt in the Nikolai Valley; the Matterhorn provides a magnificent backdrop for the latter. In the internationally-known resort of Zermatt, cars are not allowed and transport is either on foot, by electric car or by horse and cart. There are well-posted walks and cablecars, with lifts and tows to the top of the slopes for more ambitious climbing. The highest aerial cablecar in Europe is here at Zermatt, ascending the Little Matterhorn. The ski run from here back to the village is the longest in Europe. The historic town of Brig boasts the most important Baroque castle in Switzerland, the Stockalperschloss. Sion, an episcopal town, and Martigny, with their castle ruins, are worth a visit and are also ideal starting points for excursions to the surrounding area. Castle enthusiasts should also visit Leuk, Monthey and Sierre. Any visit to the area should also include the Rhne Glacier and grotto at Gletsch.
Valais contains some of Switzerland’s most celebrated resorts including the picturesque car-free village of Zermatt, which offers excellent skiing for all abilities, lively nightlife and plenty of non-skiing activities. Trendy Verbier forms part of the extensive Les Quatre Valles ski area, attracting serious skiers and snow-boarders to its challenging slopes and providing plenty of facilities for young people. The beautiful car-free village of Saas Fee has high, snow-sure slopes and is ideal for beginners and intermediates. The popular ski area of Crans Montana consists of chic Crans sur Sierre with its thriving nightlife, and the more down-to-earth, restrained Montana. Smaller, more family-oriented resorts in the region include Anzre, Bettmeralp, Riederalp and Zinal.