Today was a rest day for the Cacheris’s! We needed it after averaging about 9 miles a day!
We set off on foot mid morning to take in the famous Castle de Chillon – this is a must-do based on the research I’ve done. You can walk the lake promenade the entire way there which seems to always be picturesque. And of course shop at all of the market stalls along the way. In so doing we stopped at a stall that was just opening to peruse the gorgeous leather and silver bracelets. We ended up talking to Arthur – the owner and artist behind Surpiqure.
Not only did we love the jewelry but again the conversation was what made the experience extraordinary. John asked about French politics and again, the vendor’s way of life – traveling over France and Europe to sell his jewelry. And about how his internet business is picking up. And about how the weather really dictates the success of his business during Montreux Noël. Very cool, very fascinating guy! We’re both grateful – again – for these moments during our travels. John calls them serendipitous. It’s an appropriate word and one of the things we both adore about seeing the world – it’s people!
Off to Chillon!
Castle de Chillon is a medieval fortress sitting on the shores of Lake Geneva. It is the most visited monument in Switzerland. The oldest parts of the castle haven’t been definitively dated but the first written record of the castle is 1005! It is most known for it’s use as a prison in the 16th century. It’s most famous prisoner is Francois Bonivard on whom Lord Byron’s famous poem “The Prisoner of Chillon” is based. In fact Byron even carved his name on one of the pillars in the castle’s dungeon.
Perhaps more compelling to readers, Chillon also inspired the castle in Disney’s The Little Mermaid 🧜♀️
It was an enormous, haunting castle with incredible views of the lake from every window. And contrary to some museums I’ve been in, there was a ton of information on the history of each and every room.
I wasted – and loved! – the next few hours sitting poolside in the Fairmont’s Willow Stream Spa.
I really wanted to do the tourist thing and head down to Montreux Noël and partake in a Vin Chaude (hot mulled wine) in one of the specially erected bars on the promenade. It seemed like visitors and locals alike were down there drinking their hot wine and having a good ‘ole time. The problem with this plan, however, is that I’m not a fan of hot wine. I have more of a love/hate relationship with it. I love the feel of wrapping my hands around a steaming cup but — it just doesn’t taste good! It was a sacrifice I was willing to make. John and I split a Vin Chaude Blanc – which is better than a hot red wine – but only slightly.
We headed down the promenade – hot wine in hand – to see the one thing we did not want to miss!
See, every evening during Montreux Noël Santa Claus rides through the night air in his flying sleigh! They have cleverly raised cables high above the huts of the market and the sleigh literally flies through the air and stops directly in front of the Ferris wheel. He even has fireworks shooting from the runners of the sleigh as he takes off. And to top it all off, once he gets to his destination he stops – suspended in the air – and whips out his guitar and starts singing! We think it was the French version of “Go Tell it on the Mountain” it was sooooooo cheesy – and sooooooo cool.
We decided before the trip to have at least one nice dinner. The concierge at the Fairmont recommended Restaurant 45 at the Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic. It got rave reviews and we were so excited. Well we were sorely disappointed ☹️. The food was average at best – bland is the best way to describe it. And when I asked for wine recommendations, the waiter poured tastes for John to try. Only John- I had to try his. Needless to say this didn’t sit well with me. And the atmosphere – just eh. I’m positive the views were gorgeous but as it was dark that didn’t matter. We left completely dissatisfied.
Back to the Fairmont and Funky Claude’s Bar – a bar attached to our hotel boasting live music every night. This place was fun! Two “mature” men – one on the electric guitar and one on the sax playing good old fashioned American rock music.
We ended on a solid high!