Right on the eastern corner of Lake Geneva is Vevey, a small town with big draws. Things to do in Vevey mostly revolve around the UNESCO-listed Lavaux Vineyards and a charming Old Town beside the lake. You can cruise Lake Geneva by steamboat, discover the town’s Charlie Chaplin links at Chaplin’s World, and sample Swiss milk chocolate in its alleged birthplace. And, if you miss Vevey’s once-every-20-years wine event of Fête des Vignerons, you can console yourself with Lavaux wine and lake views whenever you like.
While the nearby Les Pléiades ski area entices visitors in winter, summer is when Vevey really comes to life. Outdoor adventurers and wine lovers come to Vevey during the warmer months (May–September) when more boat and mountain railway routes are open. You’ll need to wait patiently for Vevey’s famous Fête des Vignerons, though; this revered wine event is only held once every 20 years, with the next one scheduled for 2035.
Vevey Old Town is next to the Vevey Marché Pier, making it easy for boating day-trippers to get a feel for the town without land-based transport. For trips further afield, Vevey station, the funicular, and bus stops are within walking distance of each other; they connect to hot spots such as Montreux, Mt. Pèlerin, Lausanne, and Castle Chillon. Most Vevey hotels and guesthouses give you the Montreux Riviera Card, which includes free or discounted transport around the immediate area.
According to legend, milk chocolate was invented here in the 19th century, thanks to a collaboration between Vevey’s Henri Nestlé and the chocolatier Daniel Peter. Using Nestlé’s powdered milk, the two men created the first milk chocolate, which revolutionized commercial chocolate making. If you’re curious about Vevey’s chocolate links, you can learn in the Nestlé-owned Alimentarium food museum or indulge in the sweet stuff at renowned chocolatier Läderach in town.
