We took a boat as our transportation to get here. We did a tour & the place is big and beautiful…read more It is filled with so much history and they have their own wine that they make from their vineyard. They have huge fireplaces that you don't see anymore and all the artwork on the walls are hand painted & well preserved. Definitely grab a bottle of their wine to try from the gift shop.

Yelp Review 2026 #154:…read more Chillon Castle in Veytaux was the inspiration for Prince Eric's castle in Disney's animated film "The Little Mermaid". Writers like Lord Byron, Victor Hugo, Mary Shelley, Charles Dickens, etc. also got inspired by this castle. I was staying in Montreux and it was a 13-minute bus ride that drops you off right in front of the castle. You can also take a train to get here. It's well-preserved as it's the only castle not destroyed by war or fire. It's a beautiful castle that's sitting on top of Lake Geneva. I was content seeing the outside of the castle despite getting free tickets to go in since I have Swiss Travel Pass. I was busy watching a couple of swans building a nest. Sometimes, I'm just not in the mood to stand in line to see dungeons, medieval art, armory, and somebody's chamber. I had other places to see and visit and didn't want to spend too much time here. But from admiring the view from outside was wonderful enough.

A picturesque castle on a breathtaking Swiss background was built mainly between the 12th and 15th…read morecentury. There is a museum inside which unfortunately I did not have chance to visit. Everyone can walk into the courtyard and relax in the little park behind the castle walls without having to buy a ticket to enjoy great views while relaxing on one of the benches in the romantic alleys.

If you love wine and castles, this chateau is a must visit! It's a bit of a walk from the Aigle…read moretrain station but the train to Les Diablerets also stops here. If you're going to any of the mountain towns nearby like Leysin or Villars, you'll definitely see this beautiful castle when looking down from the road or the train. After staying in Leysin for a week and seeing this castle from the train everyday, I decided to satiate my curiosity and visit. Although the castle overlooks a bunch of vineyards in the immediate area, you'll learn that it wasn't always the case, especially after more than a few centuries into the past and the rich history that accompanied the transformation. After your tour, you can enjoy some local wine in the restaurant or purchase some from the gift shop. They have a brochure in English as well as many other languages if you can't read French.

We went today, picked the brochure in English and headed out on our own. Every floor is open to…read moreyou, climbed up the Keep, around the perimeter wall and watched movies and hands on exhibits in French. It was delightful. The view of the vineyards and valley is awesome. Cost for adults is 11 Swiss Francs. The gift shop has wine for purchase from Aigle

We've been in Gruyères several times before. Sometimes private, sometimes with my students. This…read moreyear again I came with my students to visit the village and of course the Chateau. We booked a visit in advance for a self-guided tour. Schools from Switzerland visit for free (except weekends and vacations). But let's talk about the history just quick: The Château de Gruyères was built between 1270 and 1282 to serve as the seat of the powerful Counts of Gruyères. After the bankruptcy of the last count in 1554, the castle was managed by bailiffs from Fribourg before transitioning into a private summer residence for the Bovy and Balland families in 1849. Since 1938, the Canton of Fribourg has owned the estate, transforming it into a popular museum that showcases eight centuries of regional architecture, history, and art. Many parts of the Chateau are open to visit on several floors. Lots of rooms (including the kitchen, the Knights room, bedrooms....) to check out. Informative plates and displays all around. All kept in very great shape with staff present as well. You can walk the rampart also, very cool with impressive views. The garden is wonderfully presented and you can walk around the Chateau as well (at least partly). Views over the valley and mountains are breathtaking. The courtyard is a nice place to take a rest and to enjoy more views. A really rewarding visit and definitely a highlight in this village. Staff was great. There's a small shop, toilets and some lockers for your backpacks. We will definitely be back. One of the prettiest Chateaus in the country in my opinion.

The castle sits dramatically above the charming medieval village of Gruyères, and just walking up…read moreto it feels magical. The cobblestone streets, the preserved old buildings, and then the castle rising at the top -- all like something out of a postcard. We didn't go inside, but wandering around the exterior and the surrounding grounds was more than enough to make the stop memorable. The views of the rolling green hills and mountains are stunning, especially on a clear day. There are plenty of spots to take photos, and the scenery alone makes it worth the climb. The area around the castle is peaceful and beautifully maintained, perfect for a relaxed stroll. Even if you're short on time or just passing through for cheese and chocolate, stopping to admire the château from the outside is a must.

Stopped here on a drive from Beaune to Lucerne - about midway through the trip. Pretty facade and…read moreyou get a guided tour (albeit in French, so make sure to grab the paper guide at the entrance station). Tour takes about 1.25-1.5 hours, but was actually quite interesting as you hear the whole history of the fort/castle over the centuries. Also, very interesting history related to the American/Haitian slave trade and imprisonment of a major leader of the uprisings by Napoleon. By far the coolest thing was near the end of the tour when the guide drops water to the bottom of a well (in complete darkness) and it takes several seconds for it to hit - unique and awesome experience!