Postcards from Montreux with Swiss Perfection

WORDS Emily Algar PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Algar PUBLISHED Tue, 24 Mar 2026 - 2:00 pm

There are many waterfront European locales that feel saturated (Lake Como, Capri, Positano, etc.). Admittedly, I'd never heard of Montreux, a picturesque town on the shores of Lake Geneva, until last year, when I travelled there as a guest of Swiss Perfection skincare. But having spent some time in the tiny town, I'm firm in my opinion that it is absolutely slept on. Aside from its breathtaking beauty, it's also buzzing with wholesome activities: biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing (given the time of year). It's also a place that puts great emphasis on slow living and natural beauty – something I learned about extensively during my time.

All my advice on where to stay, swim (really), sit and take in the beauty – plus the Swiss skincare intel – below.

About Montreux

Montreux sits on the Swiss Riviera where Lake Geneva curves into a microclimate so mild that palm trees grow against an Alpine backdrop. It looks like a postcard: a glassy lake against the still-snow capped Mont Blanc, swans, blue skies, and endless flowers tumbling out of waterfront chateaus. The air is beyond fresh and the streets are pristine. Given I visited in May, the mornings were cool but the days were warm. Essentially, it was perfect.

Montreux is as known for its musical history as it is natural beauty. The annual Montreux Jazz Festival, founded in 1967, has drawn everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Prince. Deep Purple immortalised the town in "Smoke on the Water" after a fire at the Montreux Casino in 1971. Queen recorded some of their most iconic albums at Mountain Studios inside the Fairmont, and Freddie Mercury loved the town so deeply he made it his home – you can see his famous bronze statue on the lakefront, one arm raised toward the water.

Where to stay

I stayed at the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. Positioned conveniently along the lakefront, the famous property has seen it all. It's said to be the location that Nabokov wrote Lolita; Prince was also known to record in its studio. If only the walls could talk...

Built in 1906, the belle epoque features give it an air of elegance that's impressive but not stuffy. The service was immaculate, the views incredible and the lakefront pool a highlight.

I also had a Swiss Perfection facial at the onsite spa – highly, highly recommend.

1/3

Where to eat

I did zero research on the food scene in Montreux before arriving. As expected, coffee, cheese, chocolate and ice cream were in no short supply. I loved Li Lo Montreux for lunch, snacks or a glass of wine. Just across the street, the bar seating sits directly over the lake with uninterrupted views of the alps. I went there most days and the staff recognised me by the end. The hotel also offered fabulous dining – Funky Claudes Bar was delicious and very charming.

What to do

You could sit and stare at the vistas and feel perfectly satisfied, but there is actually plenty to do in Montreux. I kayaked in the lake (but take my advice and don't wear jeans) hiked, biked, shopped the local markets and went swimming (yes, in the lake).

It's also essential to visit Château de Chillon, a medieval fortress that juts into the lake just outside town. Dating to 1150, it was built by the Counts of Savoy to control the strategic passage between the lake and mountains on the major route linking Italy to northern Europe. The castle served as a fortress, princely residence and prison. Its most famous prisoner was François Bonivard, imprisoned from 1530-1536, whose story inspired Lord Byron's 1816 poem "The Prisoner of Chillon." This romanticised the castle internationally, attracting artists like J.M.W Turner and Gustave Courbet.

1/5

Château de Vullierens and Swiss Perfection

So the real revelation happened when I was given the chance to visit Château de Vullierens, about a half-hour drive into the Swiss countryside. This is where Swiss Perfection cultivates its iris germanica, the flower being the key ingredient within the brands entire skincare range.

The château itself has been in the Bovet family for generations, and the iris collection here is one of the most significant in Europe. What began as a passion for horticulture evolved into something more scientific when researchers discovered the regenerative properties hidden within these particular plants. The iris germanica, it turns out, has developed sophisticated mechanisms to protect and repair itself. Swiss Perfection's innovation lies in translating this botanical intelligence into skincare. The brand's cellular extracts are derived from the iris rhizomes through a proprietary process that preserves the plant's potent compounds. These extracts work at a cellular level, supporting the skin's natural regeneration processes for long-term health and longevity.

The iris garden in person is extraordinary – en masse blooms in shades of pink, lilac, deep purple, red, yellow and white. And the chateau is beyond beautiful. The perfect end to the evening was dinner in the cellar with Robert Bovet, the current owner, and the Swiss Perfection team. We enjoyed local produce and wine. Interestingly, I'd never come across Swiss wine at home and learned its because the Swiss consume everything they produce. Unsurprisingly, it was delicious and the perfect way to end a week in paradise.