French Courses and Summer Camps in Montreux
Overview
Nestled between steep hills and the lakeside, Montreux is a traditional resort town on Lake Geneva known for its mild microclimate and the Montreux Jazz Festival. The town’s promenade is lined with flowers, sculptures, Mediterranean trees and grand Belle Époque buildings. Offshore is a medieval island castle, Château de Chillon, with ramparts, formal halls and a chapel with 14th-century murals.
On Lake Geneva the area east of Lausanne to beyond Montreux is known as the Montreux Riviera due to its microclimate, which is beneficial to both winegrowers and tourists. The region first became known in the 18th century, and gained international renown in the early years of the 19th following publication of Lord Byron’s poem “The Prisoner of Chillon.” In the ensuing decades other celebrities and notables who came, and sometimes lived there – including Victor Hugo, Gustave Eiffel, Charlie Chaplin, Ernest Hemingway, Igor Stravinski and rock star Freddie Mercury of Queen fame – continued to enhance its international pedigree.
Today the city underscores its International appeal through the Montreux Jazz Festival. It’s the most famous in the region and one of the top music festivals in Europe, although the term “jazz” is a bit of a misnomer since it now features all types of popular music. Held annually in July, in past years it’s hosted such international artists as Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, BB King, David Bowie among many others.
One of the most famous attractions in the area is the Lavaux Vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adjacent to Montreux, the steep terraces of Lavaux were cleared and planted by monks back in the 12th century. One of the largest vineyards in Switzerland, they cover more than 2,000 acres along the north shore of Lake Geneva, and include more than 14 well-preserved villages.
Language Schools and Camps in this Destination
In Montreux, Marshall Language Services also works with the following schools and summer camps for children and teenagers:
- St. George’s International School (boarding school with a summer camp)
Things to Do and See During a Vacation Study
Château de Chillon
The 13th century fortress is Switzerland’s most visited historical building and finds its way into several postcards and books about the country’s sights. Originally owned by the House of Savoy, the Castle houses several medieval frescoes and Gothic dungeons, the latter of which were the subject of a poem penned by Lord Byron: ‘The Prisoner of Chillon‘.
Montreux Jazz Festival
The Montreux Jazz festival has a world famous reputation for its diverse and renowned musical performances. Over the years, it has featured the likes of Miles Davis, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald; post-1970s it has also featured non-jazz artists such as Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, BB King, Oscar Peterson, and many more.
Promenade
The 3.5 kilometer stretch between Clarens and the Château de Chillon flaunts a variety of lovely blossoms. The promenade is most beautiful during springtime, and highly recommended for a relaxed walk alongside the Lake Geneva shoreline.
Queen: The Studio Experience
The exhibition of Queen: The Studio Experience is aimed at aficionados as well as up and coming fans of the rock band Queen. It is held at the Montreux Mountain Studios, where the band created large portions of their most acclaimed albums. There is plenty of Queen memorabilia, such as signatures, photographs, and the original handwritten copies of lyrics. The exhibition’s centerpiece is the original sound studio, where Queen’s lead singer Freddie Mercury recorded his last songs.
Walk around the Old Town
The Old Town, also known as Vieille-Ville, is situated on the steep slopes of Montreux, only a short walk away from the shoreline. Almost every corner reveals a gorgeous view of lush forests, high mountains, the blue lake and many old buildings.
Museums
Château de Chillon
Chaplin’s World by Grévin
Alimentarium, Food Museum
Jenisch Museum Vevey
Villa “Le Lac” Le Corbusier
Swiss Camera Museum
Swiss Game Museum
Queen – The Studio Experience
The Atelier de Grandi
Vevey History Museum
Musée de Montreux
Blonay-Chamby Museum
Parks
La Rambertia Alpine Garden
Parc Vernex
How to Arrive at your Language Course
By Plane
Geneva is the nearest international airport just 90 km (56 miles) from Montreux, and easily reached within approximately 1 hour by train or car. Visitors arriving at the Zurich International Airport get to Montreux within 2.5 – 3 hours by train or car.
By Train
The Golden Pass scenic train from Montreux via Gstaad, the Simmetal Valley and Interlaken to LucerneInternational trains such as the TGV from Paris, the Pendolino from Milan or the Intercity from Frankfurt or Munich, as well as numerous fast trains from all major Swiss cities stop in Lausanne where one needs to change trains for a 20-minute ride to Montreux. There are direct trains from Geneva Airport to Montreux every hour. Travelers from destinations in Central, Northern or Eastern Switzerland might want to consider traveling to Montreux with the Golden Pass scenic train (from Lucerne to Montreux via Interlaken and the Bernese Oberland), or the Glacier Express (from St. Moritz, Davos or Chur via Andermatt to Brig/Visp in the Rhone Valley).