CHAPLIN'S WORLD
One of the most beautiful museums on the Riviera. A playful and cultural ...Read more
VILLA "LE LAC" LE CORBUSIER
Read moreDating from 1923, this villa was intended for Le Corbusier's parents. It was designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret according to a highly innovative concept for the time: human scale, free plan, respect for proportions, garden roof overlooking the lake. This archetype of the minimalist house (64m2) is an exceptional contribution to the Modern Movement. As such, it was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2016, along with sixteen other Le Corbusier buildings. Offering maximum comfort and space, the Villa "Le Lac" crystallizes a certain idea of modernity around the fundamental questions of minimal housing and housing for the greatest number, which were to have a considerable influence in the 20th century. The 11 m-long window - a real technical innovation in 1923 - opens onto a wide panorama of the lake and the Alps, letting in the southern light.
The interior has remained untouched, identical to the one the architect's parents discovered the day they moved in. The furniture designed by Le Corbusier during his youth can still be seen. In accordance with the architect's wishes, the Villa "Le Lac" is now a museum presenting exhibitions by internationally renowned artists and architects such as René Burri, Erling Mandelmann, Adrien Couvrat, Florence Cosnefroy, Daniel Libeskind, Mario Botta, Bernard Tschumi and Brauen Wälchli Architectes.
Villa "Le Lac" was also a musicians' house: Le Corbusier's mother was a pianist and his brother a violinist. Today, Villa "Le Lac" also offers artists' residencies, as well as concerts of classical and experimental music, as Le Corbusier's brother practiced them in the spirit of 1950s musique concrète or inspired by the rhythmic music of Émile Jaques-Dalcroze. Restored in 2023 to mark its centenary, the interior of Villa "Le Lac" is once again decorated in its original colors - those Le Corbusier's parents discovered a hundred years ago on the day they moved in. Ultramarine blue, light cerulean, Sienna earth and vermilion red have been restored in their exact shades and original materials: lime paint, glue paint and oil emulsion.
Entering Villa "Le Lac" is like taking a trip back in time to discover an intact avant-garde of the Modern Movement.
ABBEY OF ST. MAURICE
Read moreSaint-Maurice Abbey owes its origins to the sanctuary built over the tomb of Saint Maurice and his fellow martyrs, Theban soldiers who died around 300 A.D. Founded in 515, it is the oldest active Christian monastery in Europe.
The community of Canons Regular is the guardian of the sacred relics, whose worship is part of the Swiss Heritage of Living Traditions. A major religious and spiritual center, it is also one of the stops on the Via Francigena pilgrimage route to Rome, which has been traversed since the Middle Ages by nobility, pilgrims and merchants, as witnessed by the many items in its treasury.
You'll discover a religious, architectural, historical, cultural and archaeological heritage along the audioguided tour route, where re-enactment films and computer-generated images guide you step by step through more than 1500 years of history.
Basilica, stained-glass windows, monumental organ and carillon will help you discover a majestic setting in which celebrations and concerts are organized throughout the year. A fascinating and instructive outing, which can also be combined with discovery and tasting workshops on the wines and beers produced by the Abbey (advance booking required).
ART BRUT COLLECTION
Read moreWhat is art brut? It is about creations of "marginal" artists who conceive without concern of the glance of the other, that of the general public, of the critics of art. They make room for spontaneity, far from the norms and values. They create their own world. This term was defined by Jean Dubuffet, a French painter who in 1945 collected drawings, sculptures and letters made by self-taught people, marginal people, prisoners, psychiatric hospital inmates, "free of any artistic culture". They gave form to original works.
FERRARI ART GALLERY
Read moreFormerly known as O Quai des Arts, the Ferrari Art Gallery is a luminous place, with high windows opening onto the lake. With soft music playing in the background, you'll discover resolutely contemporary works of art, beautifully staged. On the program: paintings, sculptures, photos... Numerous artists are featured (you can find the full program online). It is also possible to purchase works. The gallery can also be rented out to organize a special event in this beautiful setting, which can accommodate up to 200 people.
SAAS-FEE TOURISMUS
Read moreThis tourist office represents all the villages and resorts of the Saas Valley. Its website has the right taste to offer a French version with all the necessary tourist information. The valley has been inhabited since the iron age and the construction of its first hotel dates back to 1856, the Monte Moro, in Saas-Grund. Since then, the tourist attractions and natural beauties of the region are widely known.
JET D’EAU (WATER JET)
At 142 m, it is the symbol of Lake Geneva. Without the lake, Geneva would ...Read more
GRUYÈRE CASTLE
Read moreThe foundations and ramparts date from the 12th century. You first enter a vaulted room that houses a collection of fantasy art and temporary exhibitions. The room of the Counts of Gruyère has a Renaissance décor and furniture, with beautiful tapestries and stained glass windows. In the Knights' Hall, 19th century paintings tell the story of important events in the history of the region. The Belle Luce room reminds us that the Counts of Gruyère are said to have been in love with a beautiful young peasant girl named Luce.
GENÈVE TOURISME
Read moreDynamic and efficient, this foundation has the role of a tourist office in France. Its main missions are to meet the needs of leisure and business travelers with the highest standards of quality, both in terms of welcome and information; to promote Geneva as a top tourist destination, and to organize events and activities of interest to tourists. Geneva Tourism & Convention is also the initiator of innovative projects to promote Geneva and enable detailed discovery according to individual tastes and desires.
PATEK PHILIPPE MUSEUM
Unique timepieces in one of the most prestigious museums in Geneva. An ...Read more
MUSÉE D’ART ET D’HISTOIRE (ART AND HISTORY MUSEUM)
This imposing building houses excellent exhibitions, an interesting ...Read more
MEG – MUSÉE D’ETHNOGRAPHIE (ETHNOGRAPHY MUSEUM)
Discover the origins of the world and its cultures through the MEG's ...Read more
ALIMENTARIUM
All about Food, from the long odyssey of products from the earth to your ...Read more
BAINS DES PÂQUIS (PÂQUIS BATHS)
This is where the heart of Geneva beats, on the bay, all year round, ...Read more
NOTRE-DAME CATHEDRAL OF LAUSANNE
Imposing, impressive. And from the forecourt, the view over the whole city ...Read more
HORLOGE FLEURIE (FLOWER CLOCK)
The magnificent mosaic of plants, flowers and a watch mechanism is the ...Read more
WHIRLPOOL CASTLE
Read moreThe majestic castle overlooks the Rhone Valley, opposite the castle of Valère. It is one of the four castles of Sion. Built in the 13th century by Boniface de Challant, it was damaged in the 15th century by the Valaisan patriots, then restored by William VI of Raron, who added a chapel. The castle of Tourbillon was then the summer residence of the bishops until the fire of 1788. Classified as a historic monument by the Canton of Valais at the beginning of the last century, Tourbillon was recognised as a site of national importance by the Confederation in 1970.
MAISON CAILLER - CHOCOLATERIE SUISSE
Read moreThe Cailler chocolate factory, founded in 1898, welcomes you to its newly reorganized house for a journey into the fantastic world of chocolate. This well thought-out gourmet tour is fun, educational and even magical. The opportunity to discover, through an interactive and guided audiovisual tour, the Swiss black gold from the cultivation of cocoa to its tasting. Smells, sounds, images and tasting combine for a unique sensory experience.
JUNGFRAUJOCH
Read moreThe Jungfraujoch: top of Europe! Imagine reaching Europe's highest railway station at 3,454m. The view from the summit is breathtaking! An unmissable excursion awaits you. Plan to live the experience intensely using the Eiger Express cable car (open since December 2020) or opt for the traditional route by train. The Jungfraujoch - Top of Europe, a Unesco Alpine World Heritage Site, is the pride of the region. For over a hundred years, this train has been linking towns on the plains to this observation deck, which is truly enthroned in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Up there, it's another world, one of eternal snow, perpetual cold (bring warm clothes!) and almost constant sunshine. It's hard to believe just how much titanic work went into making this line carved out of the mountain possible.
Incredible activities not to be missed on the summit:
The Jungfraujoch site houses a research laboratory for geology, climatology, physics, meteorology and astronomy. On site, you can sample chocolate or try your hand at snowtubing down the Snow Fun Park run on tires (May to October).
The Jungfraujoch observatory. Once you've reached the 3,454 m summit, the observatory is a real attraction! In addition to views of the entire surrounding Alpine chain, the circular walkway features a gallery of ice with sculpted animals, a 360° panoramic screen replicating the view from the summit, a collection of miniatures, restaurants and various observation terraces, including the glacier plateau - the ideal place to take photos with the Swiss flag and the longest glacier in the Alps: the Aletsch glacier.
The Ice Palace, lining the old galleries dug out by mountain guides, invites you to discover ephemeral works of art such as an eagle, a penguin... A special and unusual dimension for an art gallery made of ice.
The footpath to the Mönchsjoch hut. This is the one you absolutely must take, equipped with good hiking boots, to get away from the noisy crowds rushing to take selfies at the summit. Even in summer, the route is snow-covered, but it is marked and tamped by the hut keeper, the ultimate goal of this 45-minute hike. Beware: hiking at this altitude requires a lot of energy! Walk slowly to save your energy.