© all photos Lisa Cirieco
Being in Europe, we are spoiled by the amount of castles on every hilltop and town center. How lucky we can just have so many at our doorstep around Lac Léman, Lac de Neuchâtel, and Thunersee. Whether with guests or your own family, you will surely find a few on this small list that we have taken out of our latest ©Know-it-all passport®!
Abbaye de St Maurice
Av. d’Agane 15
1890 Saint-Maurice
website
Famous for its Merovingian treasure and 1,500 years of history. Augustine monks are still active as teachers here. Guided tours only (1.5 hours), at set times. You may request a tour in English. Price Fr. 16.-/adult, Fr. 10.-/children 6-16. Open Tuesday to Friday 10h-17h30, weekends 11h30-17h30. Check website before going.
Château d’Aigle and the Musée de la Vigne, du Vin et de l’Etiquette
Place du Château 1
1860 Aigle
024 466 21 30
website
Aigle Castle was built at the end of the 12th century and is situated in the middle of vineyards. It harbors a wine museum with old wine-making traditions and tools, as well as a terrific collection of wine labels. Note: It’s fun to go to Swiss Vapeur Parc (see below) in the morning through lunch (there is a mini Château d’Aigle there!), then drive over to the life-size Château d’Aigle in the afternoon. Price: Fr 11.-/adult, Fr. 5.-/age 6-16. Family and group packages available. Open daily during summer 10h-18h.
If you see this pink bus with large lettering "Vamos a la playa!" then hop on! You won't have to worry about where to park and can take advantage of the many beautiful local beaches along the Lake Geneva shore.
Every Friday evening through Sundays (until 28 September 2025), the new TPG beach bus line 29 (Ligne des Plages) is servicing the lakeside from Creux-de-Genthod - Gare to Collonge-Bellerive - Bois-Caran!
Whether you're traveling alone, as a couple or with your family, leave the stress and monotony of everyday life behind you and enjoy unforgettable moments on Switzerland's lakes and rivers. This carte journalière de navigation opens up a wide range of possibilities offered by the 15 major navigation companies throughout Switzerland.
Buy up to 6 day passes for CGN or participating navigation companies around Switzerland. Don't miss out! Fr. 23.95/ticket gives you a day pass to hop-on, hop-off boats on the day of your choice.
This really is a tremendous deal and the tickets are valid all season (through 19 October 2025). Maximum 6 per person.
The tickets are available for purchase through 22 June 2025... don't delay! While supplies last.
NOTE: In comparison, if you buy a day pass through the CGN site you will pay Fr. 90.-/person or Fr. 45.- if you hold the demi-tarif pass. Some communes also offer day passes (but you must specify which day you would like); the prices are usually around Fr. 45.- as well. In any case, this Interdiscount deal for Fr. 23.95/ticket cannot be missed!
Photo from a few years ago when they cost CHF 1.- less... still a good deal.
If you are looking for some fun outings during the Easter holidays, then check out the Cerdon area in nearby France. Not only is Cerdon famous for its rosé sparkling wine, but you can also visit the Grottes (grotto) and Silk Museum in the old factory of Musée Soieries Bonnet. There are a few restaurants in the nearby village of Cerdon as well, or prepare a picnic if the weather is suitable.
Here we visit the silk factory turned museum, Musée Soieries Bonnet. It takes you through all the stages of the caterpillar through the finished clothing.
All photo credits ©2025 Lisa Cirieco-Ohlman
The Téléphérique du Salève is an absolutely fine thing to do whether it is with friends, visitors, or family. Open through 31 March 2025: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 9h-16h45. The rest of the year you can go every day from 9h-18h45 with a few later evenings planned. Check the website link at the bottom of this article.
Recently a school friend of mine and I went up on a whim... not prepared for the icy path but still enjoying every minute of the amazing view and sunshine with an improvised picnic (all bought at Aligro Geneva).
The round trip ticket per person is €18.- but if you have a SwissPass or TPG ticket you only pay €12.-!
PANORAMIC VIEWS
Admire the Alps and Jura, Lac Léman, and Geneva itself. The best is to check their webcam at this link to make sure you will get good visabilty when you visit. (Check out our article on local webcams at this link.)
THE ROOFTOP
The rooftop has some of the most iconic views in the region. Here you can soak up views of Geneva and Lake Geneva in a Natura 2000 site. Its 360° views mean visitors can see as far as Mont Blanc and the Jura Mountains. The experience continues with information boards detailing the landscape. You can download their mobile app for free so you can quench your thirst for knowledge.
