On my old server, I got questions about this picturesque castle in the Swiss Alps. Over time, I decided to add this info sheet. Most of it is from the info I got from the Castle. If you are ever around lake Geneva in either France or Switzerland, I suggest you take the time to go to this Cheteau.

Info on the castle:

     The Chateau is located near Veytaux-Montreux Switzerland at the base of a very steep in the alps. It is actually located on an island in Lake Genevia, but the island is only 20 feet from the shore. (It basically served as a natural moat)

     The island which the castle stands has be inhabited by man since the bronze age. The date of the first walled enclosure is not completely known but it is known that it served as a Roman outpost along their road into France. The date of the original medieval enclosure is also unknown, but this still stands in the center court yards. This enclosure was enlarged and rebuilt in the 11th through 13th centuries.

     The chateau was originally property of the Bishops of Sion, and latter on was held fief by the counts of Savoy (France). The chateau current edifice was put in place by Peter the second of Savoit by the architect Pierre Mainier.

     The capture fell into swiss hands in 1536 who used it as a depot, armory and residence for their bailiffs. In 1798 after the Vaudios Revolution, the castle became the property of the Canton (Swiss state) of Vaud.

     The chateau was originally built to guard the narrow road that ran between the lake and mountains and to charge a small fee for this protection (well, to tax people walking through to "ensure" safe passage.)

     The chateau is quite large, and the Swiss have spent a great deal of time preserving its medicinal charm.

     The "ring" road around the lake goes right by the Chateau and there is a car park there. There also appears to be both a train station and a boat dock. I assume that the train is a minor line out of Geneva. I got to the Chateau in the early evening and there were not any tours. But since I have experience tours like castles in the morning it may be best to avoid this time. One problem I did run into by going late is that I got locked in the bell tower by a guard closing things down early. (He did let me out.)

     In closing, I really liked the Chateau. It is very picturesque and romantic. It gives you a true feeling of what a walled fortress in the middle ages was like. If you have the time it is well worth a trip.

P.s. I got this info out of the info packet I got when I visitied.
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