Summer in Switzerland
 

Would like to visit Switzerland in August 2007. I am interested in French speaking part as I know some French. I would also like to swim in a lake with lakeside beaches. Can anyone recommend a resort or area I should look at? Also any idea what the summer temperatures are like? Thanks.

Hi Buzzy,

I think you're describing the Lake Geneva region, which is one of my favorites. You can research the towns of Vevey (small, residential), Montreux (larger, more modern, international), Lausanne (city on the lake), or Morges (village with a lakeside park, cobbled main street, and lakeside promenade).

Each community has swimming areas (not really like sandy beaches though).

Take a look at www.montreux.ch, www.vevey.ch, www.montreux-vevey.com, www.morges.ch, www.lausanne.ch. Also spend a few minutes around www.webshots.com and do an image search for these towns -- you can see if one of them appeals to you more than another.

Oh, it's real hot in August. Real hot. I was there in Sep 05 and nearly melted.

Good luck.

s

Well, that was 2005. This year it started raining on August 1st, the temperatures dropped from about 32 to 19 (that's 95 to 68 fahrenheit) and it has rained up until today, the last day of August! But it's only about 64 or so. Not our usual summer weather, that's for sure.

I also suggest Vevey and/or Montreux. Beautiful towns on Lac Leman. I understand there's a sand beach in Villeneuve (sp?) the next town on past Montreux. Within Montreux people do swim in the lake but from piers of the large rocks along the edge.

Maybe with a couple days up to Annecy (lake resort in France but very near Geneva).

Summer temperatures can be anywhere from pleasant 70F or a heatwave at +90F. I've experienced both. Usually it has been clear, but there could be a big thunder storm or even hail on rare occasion that comes thru.

I recommend Pays d'Enhaut in Vaud, which is about 2hr drive from Geneve.
Towns/villages like Chateau d'oex, Rougemont, and Gstaad are really lovely. It's near Berne Oberland border.

Another town we really love is Thun, near Interlaken--though not French speaking. Beautiful town architectures, very scenic drive around the lakes.

We usually go in late August, and it does get chilly in the mornings/evenings.