Lake Geneva or Lac Leman (French) is a lake, 60% of which is on Swiss territory and 40% on the territory of France. It covers the Swiss cantons of Geneva, Valais and Vaud. It is the second-largest freshwater territory in Europe after Lake Balaton. The impressive lake is 73 km long, 310 m deep at the deepest point and 14 km wide. It covers a total area of 582 sq. km. In Romans times this lake was known as Lacus Lemannus. When the city of Geneva, the best known one in the lake area, was founded the lake received its current name. In the Middle Ages it was called Lac de Lausanne.

Over 60 cities rise on the northern and southern shores of Lake Geneva. This is a top ski destination, encircled by the imposing Alps and Jura mountains, which offer a magnificent backdrop. Lake Geneva is divided in two parts. The smaller part, Petit Lac (small lake) borders on the city of Geneva. The bigger part is Grand Lac. The Rhone River, sourcing from Rhone Glacier, flows into the lake. It runs through the canton of Valais. Lake Geneva is a glacial lake, and remains of the last ice age survive within it. These consist of two large glacier formations emerging from the lake. The bigger one has an altitude equivalent to that of Geneva city, 373.6 meters. A receding glacier forms the lake. The two banks of Lake Geneva are connected by boat. This is a very widespread means of transport here. The boat tours are delightful and very convenient for tourists. They are widely considered attractions in themselves. The Jet dEau in the lake, a sparking waterjet refracting the rays of the sun, is an important attracton. It is visible from all points in Geneva, as its water column is 140 m high. An additional convenience this area presents is excellent communication facilities. The lake enjoys a scenic location at the heart of Europe, offering easy access to the main subway and motorway networks and railways. There are also direct flights to this area from almost all parts of the globe. Naturally it is a prime ski destination, but there are also opportunities for hiking. Even if youre not the athletic type, you will enjoy a nice leisurely stroll on the shores of the lake amid the scenery. You will relish the unforgettable view. In fact, the setting has impressed celebrities like Charlie Chaplin and Audrey Hepburn, who were buried in the area after their passing. In life they visited the Geneva shores very often. The French part of Lake Geneva is located in the region of Haute-Savoie. The lake is shaped like a curve, which narrows around the village of Yvoire on the southern shore. Yvoire is famous for its medieval houses and charming flower decorations in the summer. It is located in the Haute-Savoie region. As it lies on the tip of the Leman peninsula, it divides Lake Geneva in the two parts. Petit Lac is to the west and Grand Lac to the east. The cantons of Savoy and Vaud are famous for their vineyards. Many of the finest wines in the world come from this very region. The tranquil shores and gentle slopes create an enchanting atmosphere. Many hiking routes are conveniently marked, with one of them leading to Ouchy and its renowned Olympic Museum. Switzerland is the homeland of watches, and this tradition is most evident in this area of the country. It is very much alive. The craft of watchmaking has led this nation to develop the biggest watch market and industry in the world. The natural attractions of Lake Geneva are simply spectacular the perilous Orbe Gorge and the memorable Chute du Dard waterfall in the vicinity of Vallon de Nozon. The shore between Vevey and Lausanne is called Lavaux, and between Lausanne and Geneva it is called La Cote. Prior to the 1960s Lake Geneva was used as a major transport route for construction and commercial goods. At this time it became dangerous to swim in the lake due to pollution. Within two decades the intense environmental pollution had killed almost all the fish in the lake. Drastic measures were taken to prevent an ecological disaster, and today the levels of pollution have dropped dramatically. However, swimming in the lake is still not encouraged. The most popular pastimes are rowing, sailing and boating. There are many entertainment venues in the area, as well as a wide variety of eateries, pubs, clubs and accommodation properties. Generally the region is expensive, drawing the elite tourists of the world.

GENEVA
As noted, Geneva is the best known city in the area. It is a cosmopolitan city with a prolific tourist industry. The second most populous city in the country, it is located where Lake Geneva flows into the Rhone. Geneva is the administrative capital of Geneva canton. It has 185 000 inhabitants in the urban area and almost 2 million in the metropolitan districts extending into France. Many international organizations, among which the UN are headquartered in Geneva. It has come to be widely regarded as a global city. Geneva proper has an area of 15.86 sq. kilometers. The larger part of the cantons border is with France. Its other major river is the Arve. These bodies of water serve as transport arteries. Other means of transport are buses, trolleybuses and streetcars. Some lines extend into other countries. The routes cover a great deal of the canton. The city is served by an international airport, Geneva Cointrin. The Mouettes Genevoises provide public boat transportation within city limits. The boats are used mostly by tourists. Work on the CEVA (Cornavin - Eaux-Vives - Annemasse) project has commenced. The plans were laid down back in 1884. This route will connect the public hospital of the canton and the central railway station of the city, the Eaux-Vives, to Annemasse in France. Geneva has a rich history. It was a Celtic settlement in ancient times. Since then many diverse ethnicities have inhabited it. That tendency survives to this day Genevas inhabitants represent many different nationalities and cultures. The earliest evidence of civilization in Geneva goes as far back as 3000 BC. Later the Romans conquered Geneva. The name Genava (Latin) received its first mention in history in the writings of Julius Caesar on the Gallic Wars, De Bello Gallico. Its etymology can be traced back to Genawa, meaning 'birth'. Genawa indicates the metaphorical birth of the river from the lake. Geneva became a district in the early 5th century. The Burgundies established themselves here in 443. They were subjected to Frankish rule about a century later. Geneva became the capital of Burgundy in the 800s. It came under the Second kingdom of Burgundy in the 11th century. In practice it was controlled by its bishops from that time up to the Reformation, when it was established as a republic. John Calvin was a major figure in the Reformation, and the city was the center of Calvinism in the 16th century. It acquired the title of Protestant Rome. Geneva offered refuge to Protestants from all parts of Europe after the mid-16th century and gradually transformed into a center of art, science and culture. A major attraction from this time is the St. Pierre Cathedral in the Old Town. This was the church of Calvin himself in the turbulent Reformation years. When Queen Mary I ruled England many Protestants fled the country, among whom some eminent scholars. One was William Whittingham, credited with translating the Geneva Bible in collaboration with Thomas Sampson, Miles Coverdale, Anthony Gilby and several others. Great industrial prosperity characterized the 18th century, mainly in the fields of business and finance. The city is the birthplace of Enlightenment philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. Voltaire lived here in the 18th century. Geneva was officially made a Swiss canton in 1815. The first Geneva Convention, which aimed to protect the wounded and sick during the war, was signed in 1864. The International Red Cross Committee was founded in Geneva. The city also hosted the headquarters of the League of Nations after the First World War. This institution was the forerunner of the United Nations. Other international organizations with seats in Geneva are the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, International Telecommunication Union, World Intellectual Property Organization and International Labour Organization. The economy of Geneva is primarily based on services, with a historically important finance sector specializing in the field of private banking. This sector manages assets totaling USD 1 trillion. It also finances international trade. Giants like Procter & Gamble, Hewlett-Packard, Mediterranean Shipping Company, STMicroelectronics, Reuters, Serono, Sun Microsystems, Socit Gnrale de Surveillance and DuPont have headquarters in Geneva. Attractions in Geneva include the Art and History Museum, the Palais des Nations, head office of the UN in Europe, the International Red Cross, Red Crescent Museum and the Flower Clock. It is also home to one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the world, the University of Geneva. It was established in 1559. The International School of Geneva, founded with the League of Nations in 1924, is another landmark. This is the oldest international school in the entire world. Geneva is home to Servette FC, a club established in 1890. It remained in the top Swiss league without interruption from the 1930s until recently. Last year its parent company went bankrupt, and the club moved two divisions down. Geneva has an unusual spring tradition that it observes since 1818. It is accepted that a specific chestnut tree heralds the arrival of spring in the city. The secretary of the Parliament of Geneva Canton watches the tree closely to see when the first bud will appear. When this happens, the secretary issues an official statement before the media and local papers report the news.

MONTREUX
Another notable town on Lake Geneva is Montreux, a holiday destination in the Canton of Vaud. It has 22,897 inhabitants. It is located on the north shore of the lake, on an ancient site where the road to Gaul and the road to Roman capital Aventicum once separated. This area was settled back in antiquity. Traces of this ancient civilization still remain. The area from Montreux to Lavaux, the northern shore of Vaud canton in the French-speaking area of the country, is famous for its vinyards. It became a major wine-growing region in the 12th century with the introduction of viticulture. The most notable rulers of this region were the princes of Savoy, who had authority over the south side of the lake. They enjoyed the support of their subjects and succeeded in uniting the territory that is Vaud today. After the 15th century Burgundian Wars, the Swiss took control of the region without difficulty, an indication of the Savoy princes waning power. During the Reformation many Huguenots from Italy arrived to this area, bringing their artistic skills. They set up businesses and workshops. Napoleon freed the region from the Swiss of Bern in 1798. Commerce developed at an exponential rate in the 19th century with the renowned hotels of Montreux attracting wealthy, educated visitors from Europe and the US. Montreux organizes a number of notable events. One is the annual Montreux Jazz Festival, held in July since 1967. The first festival lasted three days. Initially it was entirely dedicated to jazz. In the 1970s it began to widen its scope. Today, it offers performances in every imaginable genre of music. It runs over two weeks and attracts over 200 000 spectators annually. The main organizer of the event, Claude Nobs, manages to draw many internationally famous artists, as well as talented newcomers with great potential. Past guests include Deep Purple, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Marianne Faithful. You can take a pleasant stroll along the lake from Villeneuve to Vevey, two towns in Vaud canton. There is a statue of Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, at the main square of Montreux, Place du Marche. He gazes out dreamily over the lake. An attraction near the city is Chillon Castle, a famous landmark and symbol of Swiss culture. Construciton of this castle began in the 12th century. First it was occupied by the Savoys. It is believed that the castle stands on a Roman fort. The castle houses antique chests, weapons and other items of historical interest. Romanticist poet Lord Byron dedicated one of his works to a monk, held prisoner here in the 1500s. Victor Hugo, Dumas, Percy B. Shelley and Rousseau have also immortalized this castle in their writings. Montreux was made famous by Deep Purple with their cult hit Smoke on the Water. It tells of an incident in 1971, when the Montreux Casino was set on fire by a Frank Zappa fan. The casino reopened four years later. All in all, Montreux is nothing short of spectacular. There has been a noticeable tourist increase from countries like UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait of late. It is just a hour away from Geneva, and many Saudi families possess summer residences here. This city is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all parts of the world.

LAUSANNE
The city of Lausanne faces Evian les Bains in France. It is a city on the shores of Lake Geneva in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The Jura hills are to the north of the city. Philip Morris International and the International Olympic Committee are both headquartered here. This area is very well known for its vinyards. In Roman times it was called Lousanna, and was built on the site of a former Celtic settlement. After the decline of the Roman empire the city center moved to its present location, a mountainous area that was easier to defend. The Swiss of Bern took control of it in 1536. Under their rule many of the citys monumental treasures were permanently removed, including the hanging tapestries housed in the citys landmark cathedral. In 1803 Lausanne became the capital of Vaud as it was integrated in the Swiss Federation under Napoleon. From the 50s to the 70s of the last century many Italians settled in Renens close by and transformed the local cuisine. This area is famous for its Italian specialties. Lausanne lies on the southern slope near the lake, offering a panoramic view of the surroundings. The river Flon, which dried up centuries ago, used to run through the middle of the city, on a course generally similar to the present Rue Centrale. Several bridges served to connect the adjacent districts. There are large differences of altitude here, another peculiarity of the area. Lausanne has some excellent universities, such as the University of Lausanne and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. The Vocal Ensemble of Lausanne and the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne set the tone for the local music scene, providing a diverse musical life. The city also hosts a number of festivals the Bach Film Festival and Museum Night in the fall and the City Festival in July. The Bejart Ballet is also based in the city. This formation has toured many foreign countries. There are over 20 museums, perhaps more than in any other Swiss city. The Olympic Museum houses permanent and temporary displays on the subject of Olympic sports and history. There are also many art works on the theme of athletics. The museum lies amid a lush park. The museum was established by Juan Samaranch in 1993, so it is a relatively new addition. It draws the second biggest number of visitors out of all museums in Switzerland. The museum offers a comprehensive view of the Olympics, going as far back as tournaments in ancient Greece. Another notable museum is the Elysee. It currently features an impressive series of photographs by W.M.Hunt entitled, No Eyes. The collection is united by the theme of lack of sight, as the title suggests. The various artists explore the notion of seeing and being seen. Elysee museum presents unique, fascinating collections. The Hermitage Foundation in Lausanne showcases a wide variety of works. A highlight is the collection of 17-19th century art by Dutch, Spanish, French and Italian painters. All major art movements up to Impressionism are explored. The Art Brut Collection is definitely worth a visit. Art Brut or Raw Art emerged as a notion in the 1970s. It describes art that cannot be placed in any category or niche. This term was proposed by artist Jean Dubuffet. He emphasized upon the art created by inmates of insane asylums. Raw Art illustrates unconventional ideas, extreme mental states or complex imaginary worlds. An annual Outsider Art Fair was established in New York in 1992. Generally the term is used to designate everything outside the mainstream. Popular sport activities in Lausanne and the area include mountaineering, water sports and cycling. The rolling hills provide splendid views but difficult routes for cyclists. The city is home to several athletic clubs - Lausanne Football Club, Lausanne Indians Baseball, and Lausanne Hockey Club. The International Swimming Federation and International Baseball Federation are also based in the city.

NYON
Nyon is a peaceful town in Vaud, lying on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is around 25 km away from Geneva. Its population is 17 000 and rapidly growing. The city is well connected to most big cities in Switzerland by road and rail. The Romans founded this city around 50 BC, and it bore the name Noviodunum. An ancient Roman amphitheater was excavated on the territory of Nyon recently. The town also had a Roman basilica and a forum. However, it is most famous as the site of UEFA headquarters. Nyon hosts an annual music festival, the Paleo, in July. This is among the most important music festival in the country.

THE GREATER AREA
Other cities and cantons around Lake Geneva are St-Gingolph, Locum, Evian les Bains, Clarens, Vevey, Corseaux, St. Sulpice, Morges, Tolochenaz, Gland, Lutry and Rolle on the Grand Lac and Nernier, Hermance, Coppet and Mies on Petit Lac. Saint Gingolph is a pleasant town on the southern shore of the lake, easily accessible by boat and rail. The nature here is particularly ravishing, because the village lies on the alluvial cone of a frontier mountain stream, the Morge. It is surrounded by the splendid Blanchard and Grammont mountain ranges and has the longest banks along the lake, 8 km. The crystal clear watercourses in the vicinity of Evian les Bains are used to produce Evian mineral water, the most sold brand on this market in the entire world. Evian les Bains also has a casino. Vevey is located in Vaud canton. This city received its first mention in ancient history in the writings of Greek astronomer Ptolemy, who called it Ouikos. Today it is most famous as the international headquarters of Nestle. Rousseau, Victor Hugo, writer Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin and Nestle founder Henri Nestle all lived in the city at one point in time. Vevey also hosts the Winegrowers' Festival four times a century. This event celebrates the wine-growing culture and traditions of the region. It attracts 16 000 spectators per edition to the citys main market square, Grande Place. Grande Place is among the biggest marketplaces in Europe, second only to the one in Lisbon. The town of Lutry in Vaud is renowned as the home of a historical landmark, its ancient menhirs from the Bronze Age. Menhirs are large upright stones, megalith or monolith, dating back to prehistoric times. The small town of Rolle near Geneva is home to the Institut Le Rosey, widely considered the most exclusive boarding school in the world. Gland is a relatively small commune in Vaud, but its 11 000 inhabitants represent over 80 nationalities. This is because it is strategically located halfway between Lausanne and Geneva, which made it a major crosspoint in a historical plan. Many international institutions settled in Gland for the same reason. Among them are the Worldwide Nature Fund and the World Conservation Union. Gland was settled as far back as Roman times. It was a small farming settlement until the mid-20th century, but its proximity to these cosmopolitan cities transformed it to a city with major shopping and business centers. The town of Coppet boasts a famous landmark, Coppet Castle. This monumental dwelling was the last home of Swiss finance minister Jacques Necker. Mies is an important destination for recreation and tourism. It has a polo field, where a number of significant polo games are played annually. The field is part of a large forest area, Domaine de Veytay. It contains two nature reserves, la Reserve Crenees and la Gouille Marion. They are privately owned, but tourists are allowed to walk through the forest, watch the birds from designated sites and visit the large pond.

CULINARY TRADITIONS
Apart from everything else, the area of Lake Geneva is also an important gastronomic destination. In terms of food pricing the city of Geneva itself offers striking contrasts. It may be one of the most expensive European cities, a fact reflected on the menus of some restaurants, but you can find tasty, moderately priced food as well. The most important wine growing area around the lake is Vaud, but there are a number of other key ones. Sometimes vines are cultivated unconventionally because experts understand that one needs to experiment in order to achieve a truly outstanding wine taste. The light Pinots wine is a classic here. Traditional dishes include wine cake and eel casserole, which tastes better than you would imagine! Switzerland is famous for its fondue, a dish with melted cheese, eggs, wine and spices, served with bread and vegetables on the side. You will find landmark fondue at the Caf du Soleil in Geneva. The cities near Lake Geneva offer culinary diversity you will find excellent Italian fare, Thai, Chinese and Japanese food, and Singaporean and Arabian dishes. In Geneva you can sample staple dishes like deep fried pork and innovative desserts like ginger ice cream. There is a bakery near the train station in Geneva, Quartier, serving delicious fresh cakes and pastries. Back to native specialties do not miss the opportunity to try Longeole, Pieds de cochon, fricassee de porc and Cardoons while here. Longeole is a pork sausage with cabbage, served with potato gratin and seasoned with fennel. Pieds de cochon are suitable for the more adventurous. It translates as pigs feet and may well be described as extreme dining. The pork fricassee consists of pork meat boiled in red wine. Other favorites include perch fillet, trout and char. The fish is right from the lake. Seafood dishes go perfectly with light white wines. Classic Swiss white wines are served in most restaurants. Have a glass with Cardoons - artichokes cooked with gratin and Gruyere sauce.

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN LAKE GENEVA REGION
Apart from the events mentioned above, there are still others in the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland. These include recreation activities, dance festivals, music festivals, athletic competitions, carnivals, film festivals and more. The towns and cities on the shores of Lake Geneva host a wide variety of athletic competitions. Those in Lausanne are Athletissima in July, the World Triathlon Championships, entering their 4th edition in 2006, and the Lausanne Marathon in October. Athletissima is a very prestigious event, featuring the best athletes from 50 nations, who compete at the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise in the city. This is a very famous annual event. The triathlon competition, a strenuous, exhausting race, will involve 3000 athletes competing in the streets of the city. The marathon covers a number of routes between La Tour-de-Peilz and Lausanne and several different events a full marathon of 42 km, a half-marathon, a quarter marathon, a mini marathon, a half marathon for roller blading and even a half marathon for disabled people. Over 10 000 runners from all parts of the world will compete. Ste-Croix / Les Rasses will be the location of a cross-country ski marathon in March. There are freestyle as well as classical ski races over courses of 30 km and 10 km. Another discipline represented in the area is ice hockey. Vallee de Joux will host an international ice hockey tournament in August. The 24 Hours of Villars is a time-honored race featuring a wide variety of sports, including snowboarding and skiing. This is a charity event, with the proceeds going to children in need. Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Craig Pollock of F1 World Championship fame organize this competition. The 200 km Vallorbe is an annual running competition in September. Runners must cover the distance of 200 km in just 24 hours! Extreme sports fans need not despair there will be a Rip Curl competition in November in Les Diablerets and the World Hang Gliding and Paragliding Aerobatics World Cup in Villeneuve. Rip Curl is a form of freestyle skiing. It is open for amateurs and professionals from all parts of the world. There will be a cycling race in Orbe in September this year. Cycling enthusiasts have the enticing option to cover a 333 km route, starting early in the morning and continuing for up to 2 days. The route is exceptionally scenic, with rolling hills and crystal clear lakes.

A trip to Lake Geneva will allow you to enjoy many recreational activities. The town of Gryon organizes Nordic Week each February. Enthusiasts will discover unusual activities like tobogganing, snow-shoeing and dog-sled tours. If you are taking your children with you, be sure to visit the Recrea in Gryon in July. Access is free of charge, and the young ones will enjoy a fun weekend of bungee jumping, wall climbing, games and more. Montreux-Vevey Tourism organizes a sailing event on Lake Geneva every year. Known simply as the Tradition on Lake Geneva, it is a week of classic sailing, a regatta for old ships and theme cruises. For those interested in recreational cycling, you can take part in SlowUp in July. During the course of SlowUp there wont be a car in sight just you, a bike and the road. All roads are closed to cars. You can go alone, as couples, with friends or family. Many choose to wear historical costumes, but you can dress casually or, if youre a cycling fanatic, bring your state-of-the-art equipment. Antique bikes are available for rent, as well as modern city bikes. The following attractions are part of the Fleur du Leman in Morges, an event running from April to October every year the Dahlia Show, the Iris & Lily Festival and the Tulip Festival. The main focus is on flowers, but the theme is simply nature. People from all over the world come to admire the lush countryside, the green vineyards, and rolling hills of the Jura and, of course, Lake Geneva. As for art festivals, a wide variety of arts are explored and celebrated - dance, music, film and photography among others. Two famous dance festivals in the area of Lake Geneva are the Lausanne Prize in January and the Taveyanne Summer Festival in Gryon in August. The Lausanne Prize is a challenging competition attracting young dancers from over 25 countries. You are allowed to view the final, semifinal and quarterfinal stages of the competition. Taveyanne Summer Festival is a tradition dating back to antiquity. It is associated with the Midsummer festival, celebrated by all Scandinavian countries and many other nations. The program includes traditional dancing known as le picoulet, Swiss folk music and other attractions.

The Swiss are distinguished for their contributions to film and photography. Oron hosts the annual Silent Film Festival, which has found spectacular success over the years. Nyon hosts an international film festival in April with a focus on documentaries. Hundreds of documentary films are screened in one week. However, the film festival of the greatest magnitude in the area is the International Alpine Film Festival of Les Diablerets, held annually in September. It awards prizes in three categories Extreme Sports, Documentary and Animated Films. It is open to independent filmmakers, amateurs, professionals and movie fans. It features special guests, autograph signing, displays and organized events. Vevey will host Images 06 in September. This is a festival celebrating photography. The music festivals held in the region celebrate a wide variety of genres, from country music to ancient music. In between you will find choral music, rock, blues, folk music and more. The city of Montreux is also renowned for its other annual music festival, the Montreux Choral Festival in April. The venue is the imposing Stravinsky Auditorium. The event was established over four decades ago. The program includes a competition and concerts. Around 20 choirs attend it each year. The town of Avenches is generally not part of the world tourism scene, but its music festivals are a great reason to visit it. It hosts two very successful festivals each year the Opera Festival in July and the Open-Air Rock Festival in August. The opera festival takes place in a landmark building, an ancient Roman amphitheatre. It features opulently decorated stages, productions of superior quality, world-famous artists and an absolutely unique setting. Tens of thousands of opera enthusiasts visit it each year. Avenches is also distinguished for its Roman-age arenas, which have stood the test of time throughout the course of history. These arenas are venues of the rock festival, which is not very big yet but has the potential to become so. It covers all rock sub genres and other styles, including reggae, pop, electro and steamy blues.

Les Diablerets hosts two notable music festivals, dedicated to country and folk music respectively. The Country Music Festival takes place in August. Here you will see the Alps and the Far West unite. It runs for three days three exciting days of great sound and warm sun. Attractions include rides in a horse-drawn carriage, horse riding, a woodcarving demonstration and Wild West-type saloons. The Folk Music Festival of Les Diablerets was established in 1985, and takes place in October each year. Traditionally it draws the best Swiss folk artists and a huge audience. For a unique experience, visit La Folia in Rougemont in June. This is a festival of ancient music, performed in the towns monumental Romanesque church. If you cant decide which music festival to visit, the World Music Festival in Oron in August is your best bet. It combines all the music trends of the world and features performances in all genres. The festival raises awareness of whats happening on the international music scene. Other unique festivals include the Ste-Croix / Les Rasses Carnival, the most famous carnival in Switzerland, the Chateau-d'Oex Hot Air Ballooning Week, and two car exhibitions one of beautifully restored classic British cars in Morges and one of Volkswagen Beetles in Chateau-dOex. The Montreux Christmas Market requires special mention. At this time of the year the city center becomes a magical universe of shimmering lights. This is the most astounding Christmas market in the country, with over 100 opulently decorated stands shaped like small villas.