Visiting the Village of Lutry in Switzerland
A Charming and Typical Swiss Town on the Shores of Lake Geneva
Aug 17, 2009
The winemaking region of Lavaux, in Switzerland’s canton of Vaud, is comprised of eleven scenic villages. Lutry is the largest of these UNESCO-protected towns. This is a stunning village with narrow, twisted streets, a lively port, several wine cellars, numerous restaurants and a selection of exceptional boutiques.
History of Lutry, Switzerland
During Roman times, Lutry was nothing but a small fishing village called Lustriacum perched along the bountiful Lake Geneva. Most historians believe the Romans were the first to cultivate grapes on the slopes leading away from the village, sculpting the surrounding region with what would become its trademark terraced vineyards.
Benedictine monks arrived in the 11th century, helping to establish a community, although it wasn’t until the 13th century that the village walls were constructed. This important structure gave boundaries to the village, promoting urban development and establishing a series of fixed neighborhoods both within and beyond the village walls.
Notable Buildings and Tourist Attractions in Lutry
- Chateau de Lutry: Constructed in the 14th century, this building is an integral part of Lutry’s rich history. The castle was first restored in 1965 and several magnificent 16th century wall paintings were discovered. Currently, the building houses the town’s administrative offices but is open for visitors.
- The Temple de Lutry: Originally founded as a way station for pilgrims travelling the St. James Way, this church was built in 1025. Of its initial Roman architecture, only a small door remains. The entire church was rebuilt in the Gothic style under the Reformation.
- Saturday market: Each Saturday, the village comes alive with a bustling market of fresh produce, cheeses, spices, flowers and other regional products.
Planning a Visit to Lutry – Where to Eat
Being the largest village in Lavaux, Lutry boasts a variety of restaurants and cafés. Notable venues include:
- Café de la Poste: This small restaurant specializes in perch filets, opens up onto the village's lakeside path and has a large welcoming terrace in the summer.
- Ko-An and La Lagune: Two excellent Asian restaurants share a building on the Lutry port. The smaller and slightly more upscale Ko-An serves exceptional Japanese cuisine while La Lagune offers a wide variety of exotic dishes from all over Asia.
- Aux Quatre Saisons: A charming café offering a full range of crêpes, salads and other small fare.
The village also has several bakeries and pastry shops, as well as both small and full-service supermarkets.
Planning a Visit to Lutry – Where to Stay
The beautiful but relatively expensive Hotel Restaurant du Rivage has 33 rooms, most of which have a view on the lake. For something more independent, Le Bourg 7 Bed & Breakfast is situated in a former winemaking estate and offers four small apartments for 200-300 Swiss francs per night.
Perched along the sunny shores of Lake Geneva, Lutry and the other quaint villages of the Lavaux region provide a lovely detour for anyone traveling through the canton of Vaud.
For further reading, see Visiting the Lavaux Region and Visiting the Village of Chexbres.
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