Chillon Castle is the most-visited historic monument in Switzerland and a great family-friendly destination. It is a fine day-trip excursion from Geneva, Lausanne, and ski resorts in the nearby Alps.
Chillon Castle is an oval shaped castle that’s located on a small, rocky outcrop, poking into Lake Geneva. This little, rocky island is a perfect, defensive little promontory, that’s almost been designed to be a defensive spot. For this reason, fortifications have been found here since Roman times.
The little rocky island is pretty much surrounded by water – evidently, the lake forms a natural moat. As a result, access to the castle is via a modern bridge, which crosses the shallows of the lake. This modern bridge is the remains of the old drawbridge, and some of its workings can be seen to today.
The most popular parts of touring Chateau de Chillon are arguably the dungeons where Bonivard was imprisoned, the wooden sentries walk, and the views, especially from the top of the donjon. Don’t miss the toilets in the chambers of the Duke of Savoy and later Castellans of Bern – some are decorated with typically crude medieval art and humor.
Wonderful views can be enjoyed from many windows, guard towers, and the sentries walk. However, the best views are from the top of the 25-m high donjon. From here visitors can see much of Lake Geneva, Montreux, the Alps, and the modern transportation infrastructure that make Chillon easy to reach but also take some of the romantic out of the castle’s location.
