Visiting the Swiss Village of St. Saphorin
A Historic Rendez-vous for Artists on the Shores of Lake Geneva
Aug 19, 2009
St. Saphorin sits perched on one of the steeper slopes of the Lavaux region and affords visitors with a spectacular view of both the French and Swiss Alps. The village is well-known for its white wine, terraced vineyards and its picturesque, winding streets.
History of St. Saphorin, Switzerland
Like most of the villages at the upper end of Lake Geneva, St. Saphorin was founded around the turn of the century and inhabited by Romans. One of the village’s most distinguishing features is the existence of a thousand-year-old stone, inscribed with the date 53 AD. At this time, the village was called Glerula.
According to St. Saphorin’s local website, in its early days, the village was nearly completely destroyed by rising water following a landslide. This resulted in the reconstruction on higher ground of the main church, called St. Symphoriem, which would eventually give its name to the village. Winemaking has been the main industry of this village since its founding and the steep terraced layout of the entire village reflects this focus.
Notable Buildings and Tourist Attractions in St. Saphorin
- Chateau de Glérolles: This stunning chateau was originally a gift to the Bishop of Lausanne from the Emperor of Germany. It is now a renowned winemaking estate offering guest rooms and apartments, banquet catering and wine tasting events.
- Eglise de St. Saphorin: A beautiful church in the upper village. The large stained-glass window inside the nave includes a representation of Sébastien de Montfalcon, the bishop who inspired the church’s construction in 1520.
- Offenbach Festival: Each September the village hosts a music and wine festival with choirs and concerts in the church as well as in the village’s numerous wine cellars.
The Artistic Tradition of St. Saphorin
Over the years, St. Saphorin welcomed a series of important Swiss artists like Jean-Villars Gilles, Paul Budry, Charles-Albert Cingria, and C.-F. Landry. Vladimir Lenin is reputed to have frequented the village during his exile in Switzerland and Charlie Chaplin came regularly with his family to eat at St. Saphorin’s restaurants.
Planning a Visit to St. Saphorin – Where to Eat
- Auberge de L’Onde: A famous meeting place for many Swiss artists, this beautiful restaurant offers a formal gastronomic dining room, two smaller dining rooms, a “pinte” or traditional tavern, a fondue cellar and a wine cellar.
- Café Restaurant du Raisin: Smaller and more traditional than the Auberge de L’Onde, this charming establishment offers perch filets, local wine and other regional recipes.
Located along the Lavaux region pedestrian tourism route, St. Saphorin is ideally explored on foot. It can also be visited using the Lavaux Panoramic train.
For further reading, see these related articles: The Lavaux Region and Visiting the Village of Lutry.
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