Geneva_2026

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Lac Léman and Geneva, 2026

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It's been some time, but today was a transition day to Montreux, Switzerland. The train route took me back through (infamous) Vallorcine and the spectacular ride.

Montreux is an upscale town on the east end of Lac Léman. (Geneva is on the west end.) The town has a slight French Riviera feeling with beautifully manicured trees, flowerbeds, and multi-story elegant townhomes. My room looks west out over the lake.

I walked about 30 minutes to the Chillon Castle situated on a small rock island in the lake. I'd had fond memories of the place when the family toured Europe circa 1972. Since then, there have been significant renovations completed, furniture added, and descriptions in both French and English placed on a maze path through the rooms and narrow passages. This the most visited historical place in Switzerland. It's location is on the Via Francigena - an important Middle Ages trading route. It was first built in the 13th century and then expanded over time. In the 19th century it was recognized as an important Swiss heritage with excavations and renovations taking place ever since. It has a connection to Martigny, Chamonix, and northwest Italy as all this area was controlled by the Savoy for several hundred years. This castle was a key place for collecting taxes and in return the roads were kept maintaind and travelers safe.

The walk to and from the castle from Montreux took me along the lake. It's a beautiful walk with spring flowers, interesting sculptures, joggers, kids in strollers, and expansive views of the lake and snow covered peaks. Virtually everyone I encountered were locals or Swiss tourists.

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I'm glad I chose a hotel near the train station. I arrived there this morning but was unable to activite the ticket through the Eurail app because my Mint Mobile service couldn't connect to the local cell service. Mint Mobile and the Swiss cell service have not played well with each other. I walked by to the hotel to use the Wifi then all was fine - sort of. The service dropped several more times during my explorations today but fortunately it rectified itself.

Once in off the train in Lausanne, I wandered toward the water looking for a patisserier/coffee shop. Once I settled on one (there were many), I managed to order using my poor French. Sadly, or maybe for the best, the clerk spoke to me in English; the French clerk spoke English and the English guy (me) spoke French - bizarre.

I managed to fill my water bottle a couple of times through the day at public fountains. The fountains were easier to find than a bathroom. I paid to use a bathroom.

I enjoyed the exibits at the Musée de l'Eysée. There were three visual shows. The first was the works of a photographer/writer, Ella Maillart, who traveled Asia between 1930-35 capturing sepia images in Mongolia, China, and Japan. The second was an award winning photojournalist, Luc Delahaye, who produced digital composite works. This was quite fascinating. He effectively became a painter where instead of a brush he created powerful images telling a story from bits of many photographs using digital technology. I found it compelling. The third show used video to explore the servitude of creating today's media technology. The message being to free yourself from it.

I found the old city of Lausanne to be very hilly with steep ups and downs. I enjoyed someone practicing the pipe organ in the Lausanne Cathedral. My, those pipes fill the church with sound! Especially the bass notes - wooboy! I eventually made it to the Sauvabelin Tower. It's a wooden tower about 100 meters high affording a wonderful view of the city, the lake, and the mountains.

A gentleman named Rudy arrived at the top of the tower and immediately wanted to share his pleasure of the views. He spoke to me in French then switched to excellent English when I couldn't respond. Turns out in 1987 he and his wife spent time in Provo, Utah, training to be missionaries. He did two years of missionary work in Montreal, Canada. He is a very outgoing gregarious Swiss man.

Once back in Montreux, I enjoyed watching the light from the setting sun on the building, art works, and people strolling along the lake walk.