Hi everyone,

I have a fairly short stay in Montreux (arrive Monday morning from Geneva), instead of going straight to Montreux I will be making a stop at Lausanne before taking a train back in the evening to Monteux hotel.
So most of my Monday will be in Lausanne, on Tuesday I'm planning to go to Chillon castle and also Rocher de Naye.
What should I do first as I know Montreux gets dark around 4pm?
If I go Chillon castle first in the monring then have lunch before making my way to Rocher de Naye will I have good virew from the mountain? I'm a little worried it will be jet black at the mountain and I won't see much?
Also how do I pronounce Rochers de Naye (is it Rochers de Nayeee, or Rochers de Nay?)

Thanks

I wasn't there at that time of year so can't advise but suspect if it is dark at 4 pm, there won't be any view at that time, of course.

I presume you know Rochers is a French word and it isn't pronounced the way that would be in English. There is no eeeee sound at the end of a French word spelled that way, it is actually pronounced closer to as if it were nye (or the English word nigh) with a slight sounding of the e at the end (but not an eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee). I'm not good at how you'd write that phonetically. It's not a long a.

the Lake Geneva area is subject to being cloudy or smoggy or foggy when I've been there at various times of the year - if it is clear go to the summit right away- chances are it may not be and then plan on doing something else IMO>

Clear or not (an issue for sure) the trip up and back is spectacular in and of itself as that more or less "Toonerville Trolley" hugs the side of the mountain.

I would go up first and early and then do Chillon since there's less of an issue of having any sort of "view" from that venue.

ROW (as in row your boat)cher de Nye. Have you considered taking a lake steamer back to Lausanne (Ouchy) from Chillon?

Or from Chillon steamer over to France for a bit of French culture and cusine - Evian-les-Bains is a spiffy French spa town - yeh Evian mineral water's home - a casino if trip funds are dwindling and yes a bit of France - boats serve Evian regularly from Lausane, Chillon and Montreux and other ports.

I agree with those you suggest that you should go to the Rochers de Naye first, as you really do need daylight to appreciate the views. The Chateau de Chillon is well worth seeing, but does not require daylight to be appreciated.

Dukey1's suggestion for the steamer back to Lausanne after visiting the Chateau de Chillon may be worth considering -- but not, IMO, if you are staying in Montreux that night. And honestly, even if the ferries are still running at a time that would let you go from the Chateau de Chillon back to Lausanne, I'd just go straight to Montreux -- the limited reflections of light on the lake that you would see would not be enough to make it worthwhile for me. But that's just me -- YMMV!

Enjoy!

Hi Traveller2015,

No, the ferries don't run in the wintertime, so you'll be limited to train or bus transport.

Your hosts will give you a Riviera Card, which makes the busses free in the area, as well as the trains and funiculars in the immediate area. Your train should be free until Caux, and then half price after that with the Riviera Card.

Yes, Rochers-de-Naye is French, so, no, you don't pronounce the final "e."

When you visit Chillon, I strongly recommend walking to it along the beautiful flowered lakeside path (one of the best things about Montreux imo); your views will be countryside and lake. It will take about 45 minutes. If you like, you can continue the walk to Villeneuve, on the other side of Chillon, another 45 minutes. Then take bus #201 (free with the Riviera Card) back to Montreux.

I'd also recommend spending some time in Vevey, in the tangled, winding streets of its old town next to the lake. The dairy stores there sell Gruyeres cream -- which you should definitely try! Put it over meringues if you can't find any berries.

Have fun as you plan!

s

Additional note --

While it's true that you don't need daylight to appreciate Chillon, you should know that in winter the last entry is at 16.00. It closes at 17.00, so you'll have an hour to tour the inside once you make it inside the doors at 16.00.

Also, the Riviera Card will give you half off the entry fee.

If you were there on the weekend, you'd be able to see the Medieval Christmas market --

http://www.chillon.ch/en/opening-times-and-rates

http://www.montreuxnoel.com/en-site-...hantement.html

Have fun!

s

Thanks so much for the replies.
Urrg I wished I had more time in Montreux, so much to see!

Until April 16th, Lake Geneva boats in the Upper Lake (Montreux area) run on Sundays only.