Château de Chillon | Montreux

Information

Landmark: Château de Chillon
City: Montreux
Country: Switzerland
Continent: Europe

Château de Chillon, Montreux, Switzerland, Europe

Château de Chillon is an island castle located on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva, south of Montreux. It is situated on a narrow strip of land between the steep mountains and the lake, serving as a historic fortification.

Visual Characteristics

The castle is built on an oval-shaped limestone rock, with its foundations merged directly into the stone. The exterior features high curtain walls, three circular towers, and a prominent keep constructed of grey stone with red-tiled conical roofs. The lakeside facade presents a medieval defensive appearance, while the mountain-facing side includes machicolations and arrow slits. Inside, the structure contains four formal courtyards and subterranean Gothic vaults with massive stone pillars.

Location & Access Logistics

The fortress is located at Avenue de Chillon 21, 1820 Veytaux. It is 3km south of Montreux city center. Access is available via the VMCV bus line 201 (stop: Chillon) or by regional train (stop: Veytaux-Chillon), located 300 meters from the entrance. During the summer, CGN passenger boats dock at the Chillon pier. A dedicated parking lot for private vehicles is situated along the N9 road, though capacity is limited during peak hours.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The castle's current form dates primarily to the 13th-century expansions by the House of Savoy, though the site has been occupied since the Bronze Age. It served as a summer residence, administrative center, and state prison. The castle is geologically anchored to a rocky islet that naturally drops deep into Lake Geneva, creating a natural moat. It transitioned from Savoyard control to Bernese rule in 1536 and finally to the Canton of Vaud in 1798.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can explore over 40 rooms, including the Great Halls, the Duke’s Bedroom, and the chapel with 14th-century murals. The subterranean dungeons, famous for the imprisonment of François Bonivard, are open to the public. Walking the chemin de ronde (patrol path) along the castle walls provides views of the lake. Guided tours and audioguides in 17 languages are available daily.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The site includes a gift shop, a cafeteria (Café Byron) located just outside the castle walls, and public restrooms. There is 5G cellular coverage throughout the courtyards and main halls. Due to the historical nature of the stone staircases and narrow passages, only the courtyards and a portion of the ground floor are wheelchair accessible. Shade is available within the interior halls and courtyards but not on the exterior bridges.

Best Time to Visit

Optimal photography lighting occurs in the late afternoon when the sun illuminates the castle's western facade from across the lake. To avoid large tour groups, visit between 09:00 and 10:30. The months of May, June, and September offer mild weather and the best visibility of the surrounding Dents du Midi mountain range.

Facts & Legends

The castle was immortalized by Lord Byron in his 1816 poem The Prisoner of Chillon. A verified historical oddity is Byron's actual signature, which he carved into one of the stone pillars in the dungeon; it remains visible and protected behind a glass shield today.