We met Charlie Chaplin by Geneva lake
We started the day with the usual more than ample breakfast buffet at our hotel. Most of us ignored the blocks of cheese, and sampled everything else. We have cheese from yesterday’s excursion for our lunches. I had my usual (for here) bowl of uncooked oatmeal with applesauce, other fruit, and hot or cold water mixed in. We also have
hard or soft boiled eggs, bread, pastries, and more. The pie is different everyday and really to die for. Today was my first time to indulge in meringues with double cream (whipped). Yum!!!!
Then Jackie drove us to Vevey, by Geneva lake.
Vevey and Montreux are known as the Swiss Riviera, not to be confused with the French Riviera on the other side of Lake Geneva. Today we explored Vevey. As we strolled along the lakeside path, we looked across the water and saw a few communities nestled between the shoreline and the French Alps, one of them being the famous Evian town (where the Evian water bottles come from).
There were a couple surprises on our side of the lake.
First, there was an enormous fork sticking straight up out of the water, not far offshore. It was strategically placed across from a large building specializing in nutrition.
The other surprise was a statue of Charlie Chaplin, who lived in Vevey the last 25 years of his life.
Because of the breathtaking scenery here at the Swiss riviera (lake, mountains, vineyards), many famous people chose Vevey and Montreux for their secondary or sometimes primary residence, like Phil Collins, Barbara Hendrix, Queen singer Freddie Mercury, Igor Stravinksy, Charlie Chaplin, and more.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lavaux vineyards illustrate a thousand years of labour. To make the most of the long hours of sunshine, man reduced the slopes by forming terraces in order to produce a highly appreciated wine: Chasselas. Lavaux consists of terraces on steep slopes all the way down to Lake Geneva, covering an area of 830 hectares between Lausanne and Montreux. The site enjoys a Mediterranean climate, warm temperatures and the reflection of the light from the lake.
Today was market day….quite a large outdoor market with produce and other food, clothing, jewelry, and more. We were happy to have pleasant weather all morning to be able to explore comfortably.
Having a wonderful time in a beautiful place with fun people!
Post from Betty, a guest on our tour to Switzerland.
Check the full itinerary of our tour to Switzerland here.
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.
January 31st, 2012 at 5:49 pm
I will register for this web site. I ??m a building room decoration consultant for a time. My embellishing word of advice with the hundred years will be: Don?ˉt overclutter a property. Space is the vital thing. Right up until so when.