Lavaux Vineyards

Lavaux

A UNESCO World Heritage region of terraced vineyards cascading down steep slopes to Lake Geneva between Lausanne and Montreux, producing excellent white wines for centuries. The picturesque landscape offers spectacular hiking trails through emerald vineyards with panoramic lake views and charming wine villages.

Things to do

• Terraced Vineyard Hiking — Walk the UNESCO-protected terraced slopes on well-marked trails connecting Lutry, Cully, and Epesses with unobstructed views of Lake Geneva and the Alps.
• Wine Tasting at Local Caves — Visit family-run wine cellars in Cully or Lutry to sample Chasselas, the region's signature white wine, directly from producers who have worked these slopes for generations.
• Montreux to Lausanne Lakeside Walk — Stroll the scenic promenade connecting the two towns along Lake Geneva's shore, passing through Lavaux's main villages and enjoying waterfront cafés.
• Lavaux Museum in Cully — Explore the small museum documenting the region's 800-year viticultural history, traditional harvesting techniques, and the UNESCO World Heritage designation.
• Sunrise at Épesses Viewpoint — Hike to the elevated terraces above Épesses before dawn to watch mist clear from Lake Geneva while golden light illuminates the vine-covered slopes.
• Vintage Train on Rocher-de-Naye — Board the historic cogwheel railway from Montreux through Lavaux vineyards up to the alpine viewpoint for panoramic region-wide vistas.

Food to try

• Chasselas Wine with Local Charcuterie — Pair the delicate, mineral-driven Chasselas white wine—produced nowhere else with such character—with Vaudois cured meats and crusty bread at a vineyard-side table.
• Féra Meunière — Sample freshly caught lake fish from Geneva, typically perch or whitefish, pan-fried in butter and lemon at harborside restaurants in Lutry or Cully.
• Raclette or Fondue — Enjoy the Alpine cheese tradition of melted Raclette scraped onto bread or Fondue Vaudoise, a rich cheese dip made with local Gruyère and Vacherin.
• Tomme Vaudoise Cheese — Taste the semi-firm local tomme, aged in cool cellars by tradition, often served with fresh fruit or alongside Chasselas as a classic pairing.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Vineyard Boundaries — Stay on marked trails and avoid walking through actively managed vines; these are working agricultural lands where families have tended slopes for centuries.
• Visit in Harvest Season (Late September–October) — Time your visit for autumn when terraces are alive with activity, wine festivals occur throughout villages, and growers welcome visitors to observe traditional hand-harvesting.
• Learn the Terracing System — Understanding that each terrace wall (called bancels) was built and maintained by hand over 800 years deepens appreciation for the landscape's cultural significance and technical achievement.
• Speak French or Swiss German — While tourism is established, locals in wine villages speak primarily French or Swiss German; learning basic phrases and showing respect for regional language enhances interactions with cave owners and residents.