Chillon Castle by the shores of Lake Geneva, like an elder emerging from the depths of time, stands on a rocky foundation "floating" on the water, quietly recounting medieval tales. This dreamlike destination is a must-visit spot for travelers in Switzerland.
Ancient castles: Living fossils of medieval architecture
This ancient castle is a veritable architectural mosaic: 11th-century foundations form its base, 13th–14th century Gothic elements were added by the House of Savoy, 16th-century fortifications brought Baroque boldness, and 15th-century Bernese contributions completed the puzzle with a Renaissance-style banquet hall. Multiple styles layer upon each other, with every stone holding centuries of history in its coded patterns.
Rousseau, Hugo, and Dumas all once lingered here, while Byron immortalized the castle in the literary world with his epic poem "The Prisoner of Chillon." Stepping inside feels like encountering the very moments that inspired these literary giants.
Lausanne is Switzerland's second largest city on the shores of Lake Geneva, the capital of Vaud Canton, known as the Olympic Capital and home to the Olympic Committee with profound cultural heritage. The town is built on three hills surrounded by vineyard-covered slopes, with Lake Geneva at its feet and the impressive Savoy Alps towering across the French shore. The old town is largely car-free, where alleyway cafés and boutiques shape the medieval city center's streetscape.
