With well over a thousand lakes, Switzerland is blessed with its fair share of stunning bodies of water. The most extensive, however, is Lake Geneva (also known as Lac Léman), where you can bask in seductive views and amazing sunsets. It’s practically impossible to take your eyes off the shimmering water when driving down the mountainside or gazing out a train window, especially in the upper regions of Montreaux and Vevey. Other recommended viewing points include the banks of Lausanne, where bobbing swans and crystal-clear water calm the soul, and the Château de Chillon, a castle three miles from Montreux. Of course, you could also enjoy the views from the lake itself, where steam boats, ferries, and private yachts roam freely.
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Lounge by the Luscious Lakes
Listening to the lapping water against the pearl-gray rocks while gazing up at the marble sky is a signature part of Switzerland’s romantic beat—and Lake Geneva is its pulse. Also called Lac Léman, its waterfronts at Montreux, Vevey, and Lausanne offer the most delightful spots for lounging on pale wooden decking, especially at night where the evening sunset illuminates the still waters with merging reds, oranges, and yellows. Lake Murten, in the Fribourg area, is much smaller and is decorated with fine wooden buildings along certain banks, while floating swans create true romantic ambience.
Sauna and Ice: The Incomparable Combination
In Europe there is a love of the winter swim, especially following a hot sauna. Here in Nyon, at a sauna house on the banks of the lake, these three and another went from sauna to swimming in the icy lake repeatedly in a revolving cycle of heat and ice, heat and ice. If you happen to be near Nyon, ask the locals how you can get yourself into that sauna on the lakeside. I’m sure they’ll help you out. The Swiss are much friendlier than the stories would lead you to believe.
Discover an artistic wonderland on Lake Geveva
The Alps is blessed with an array of lakes to make you purr. Lake Geneva, however, stands above the rest. Shared between France and Switzerland, this resplendent spot (also known as Lake Léman) allows you to experience medieval times at Château de Chillon. You can witness world-class musical acts at the summer Montreux Jazz festival and take memorable snaps at the Charlie Chaplin and Freddy Mercury statues. Then, when the moonlight shimmers on Lake Geneva’s surface, romancers wonder winding promenades, lulled even closer together by the lapping waves against its sultry shores.
