From Geneva, it is easy to travel to Lavaux by train for a day trip. We went to Vevey, and then changed to a smaller train to reach Chexbres. From there, we joined a tour on a small train that wound its way around the vineyards. I think it was run by the city tourism office and it was a great way to see the area. However, there was no commentary so we also got a bit sleepy just driving through the terraces. At the end we had a small sample of wine at the tourism office shop.
The views of the area including the terraced vineyards and Lake Geneva were really stunning. We had a bit of the changing autumn colours. And even though it was a rainy, grey day, we could still appreciate the scenery. We walked down through the vineyards to Rivaz station to take a train back to Vevey. On the walk, I found a wine vending machine based on trust with contactless payment so I bought a bottle.
Vevey is a quaint town along the lake, with a promenade and art to enjoy during a walk. Nearby is Sir Charlie Chaplin’s Former Home, since he spent some time there.
Highlights
- Tour around the Lavaux terraced vineyards
- Walking through the vineyards
- Tasting local wines
- Vevey Lake Promenade
- The Fork sculpture in the lake
- Alimentarium food museum
- Statue of Charlie Chaplin – John Doubleday
- Sir Charlie Chaplin’s Former Home
- Vevey History Museum
- Villa Le Lac Le Corbusier
- Cruise on Lake Geneva when the weather is good
Before you go
- Lavaux is a UNESCO heritage area for its beautiful terraced vineyards
- The common grape varieties include Pinot Noir, Gamaret and Chasselas
- On Sundays, many shops are closed
- Train tickets from Geneva are affordable and we didn’t need to book far in advance, just the night before
- Weather is variable so bring layers and rain gear
- Bring good shoes and start higher up if you want to walk through some vineyards and quaint villages
- Almost everywhere takes credit card even the wine vending machine!
Transport
- It is easy to travel to Lavaux by train and there is the main station, Vevey.
- There are many small trains around the area, though they do not run often
- Walking around the vineyards on foot is possible though it is hilly
- Lastly, there are local taxis, which can be expensive for the short distances
Accommodation
- We didn’t stay in Lavaux, and just made a day trip from Geneva by train
- As usual I recommend checking reviews on Google Reviews or using AirBnB
Food
Our main meal was at a tasting menu at Les Ateliers near Vevey station. It’s Michelin-recommended fine dining, and the restaurant is elegant and peaceful. Most of the dishes were excellent though some were strange combinations that didn’t quite work. They were very friendly and sped up the tasting menu for us so we could make our train.
As for the wines, there are many local vineyards and also the Lavaux Vinorama. We enjoyed a Lune Noire red wine with Gamaret, Cabernet franc, Merlot, and Garanoir. Pinot noir is also a commonly grown grape in the region. The main white variety is Chasselas.
FAQs
Q: Do I need a tour guide?
A: No, but it is useful to have a tour guide and transport around the vineyards
Q: Do people speak English?
A: Yes, people speak English in the tourist places
Q: Is it a walkable city?
A: The various villages are walkable, but the Lavaux region is large and requires some transport, either by train or by taxi
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