Visiting the Village of Chexbres in Switzerland

An Historic Town in the Heart of the Lavaux Winemaking Region

Jul 9, 2009

This picturesque Swiss village has a splendid view of Lake Geneva and the nearby Alps. Close to several larger cities, Chexbres is an ideal stopping point for tourists.

The winemaking region of Lavaux, in Switzerland’s canton of Vaud, is comprised of eleven scenic villages. Chexbres is one of the larger villages and sits high above the lake, perched among its famous vineyards. This situation has earned it the nickname, “Lake Geneva’s Balcony”. A beautiful town, Chexbres is host to several fine restaurants, numerous privately-owned wine cellars as well as a number of interesting tourist sights.

History of Chexbres, Switzerland

The village boasts a small number of Roman vestiges, indicating it has long been a part of Lake Geneva’s coastline. In the year 563, according to one of the region’s historians, one of the nearby mountains fell, devastating several villages as well as creating a tidal wave on the lake that destroyed many others. In response, the survivors moved to higher, presumably safer, ground and settled what would become Chexbres and another nearby village, Rivaz.

Sometime after the turn of the millennium, Cistercian monks began to cultivate the steep slopes surrounding the village with grapes, creating what would become the region’s most important agricultural legacy.

Notable Buildings and Tourist Attractions of Chexbres

· Chateau de Crousaz: Situated just above the local church, this fortified castle dates from 1431. In the late 1700’s the chateau repeatedly hosted Isabelle de Charrière (Belle de Zuylen), a writer and notorious figure of the time. She even wrote some of her famous epistolary novels from the chateau.

· Maison Wyttenbach: A splendid 18th century chalet-type building which was once a famous inn. The building is now home to the communal administration and Chexbres’ public wine cellar. This lovely building can be rented for marriages and other big events.

· The wine cellars: The entire village is dotted with private cellars and small winemaking estates. Many of these are housed in splendid historical buildings with cobbled courtyards and unique architecture.

Planning a Visit to Chexbres – Where to Eat

The Lavaux region is renowned for its fine dining. Chexbres is no exception. With a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, village gastronomy ranges from traditional Swiss to Italian to even Japanese. The Baron Tavernier offers gourmet dining and an exquisite ambiance while the Café de la Poste provides a simple but delicious traditional menu. The Café du Nord is celebrated for its home-style Italian fare.

The village also has two bakeries, one of which, Moutarlier, is famous for its chocolate, as well as two small supermarkets.

Planning a Visit to Chexbres – Where to Stay

The Baron Tavernier is also a hotel, with a total of 18 rooms and suites available. Just a short walk outside the village is the Auberge La Crochettaz, a restaurant and hotel with a stunning view of the lake and the Alps. Otherwise, there is the Hotel Préalpina as well as the possibility of renting a room in one of the winemaker estates.

A quaint village in a stunning region, Chexbres is near to the larger cities of Lausanne, Vevey and Montreux and provides a lovely waystation for tourists traveling through Switzerland. The Lavaux Tourism website has further information.

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