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Specialist in the Alps, between lakes and mountains
Discovering the Vaud Alps
Discover the Vaud Alps
The Vaud Alps set against the backdrop of Lake Geneva
At the far end of Lake Genevathe Vaud Alps form a sparkling mineral barrier, especially when snow-covered. You can admire them in winter from Lausanne, Evian les Bains or Thonon les Bains.
They are home to a number of mountain villages that are quite different from one another, but which share a regular snowfall to enjoy the joys of winter, and are at a sufficient altitude to enjoy the coolness of summer too. While some of these resorts are true villages that have gradually integrated tourism into their genes, others have benefited from a boom in outdoor tourism.
All are well exposed, on the sunny slopes of their respective valleys or hillsides.
Villages to discover in the Vaud Alps
Château d'Oex will surprise you with the rugged authenticity of its village center, but above all with its tradition of hot-air ballooning. It's a real village, which has grown up with the development of tourism, but which hasn't lost its "pays d'en haut" soul. Further up the valley, before crossing a pass back down to Gstaad, the well-known and magical scenery of theBernese Oberlandyou can stop off at Rougemont, one of Switzerland's most beautiful villages.
Leysin and Villars sur Ollon spread out their large chalets and luxury hotels on sunny terraces surrounded by forest. Here, the skiing is family-friendly, on forest slopes, and the views are breathtaking. The balcony position above the Rhône Valley and opposite the Valais gives you the impression of flying, even gliding...
Les Diablerets, a village nestled in a wide valley at the foot of the glacier of the same name, gives you the opportunity to experience the exhilaration of the peaks at 3000m altitude from the arrival point of the cable car. From up there, you can admire an extraordinary panorama of the Alps! Not to be missed! Fans of vertiginous footbridges will be delighted by an incredible suspension bridge. You can also walk on a glacier or enjoy a summer toboggan run in a high-mountain setting. The evening fondue will be well deserved!
The canton of Vaud on the plains, along the Rhone River
But there's much more to the Vaud Alps than high altitude. The Rhone Valley also offers its share of sights. For lovers of old stones, the Châteaux d'Aigle and the Château de la Roche in Ollon are open to visitors, the former housing the Musée de la Vigne du Vin et de l'étiquette, which is set amidst the many vineyards of the Chablais region.
Cycling enthusiasts will find numerous routes through magnificent scenery, such as the ascent and crossing of the Col des Mosses. But cycling aficionados already know that this region is very welcoming, if only because Aigle is home to the headquarters of the UCI, the International Cycling Union, the organizing body for professional cycling.
Sandwiched between the gentle waters of Lake Geneva and the glaciers that encircle the peaks at over 3,000 m, the region offers a wide range of mountain elevations. Bathing, vineyard walks on the plains and in the valley, hiking or snowshoeing in winter on forest trails at medium altitude, and ski slopes to hurtle down or trekking and mountaineering at higher altitudes.
Villages and resorts within easy reach, usually by train, from Lausanne or Montreux, for a relaxing vacation with a change of scenery. Combine them with a lakeside holiday in summer, or use them as your main destination in winter! The choice is yours!
Discover this region by reading the following articles from the AlpAddict blog!
Skiing in Switzerland from the South of France
AlpAddict offers you a selection of winter sports resorts in Switzerland that are easily accessible from the southern half of France.
Switzerland, between lakes and mountains
AlpAddict invites you to discover Switzerland. A country whose many blue-tinted lakes and glaciers glistening above the pastures will delight you.
Discover the Vaud Alps on video
The best webcams in the Vaud Alps
(click on the village name)
- Château d'OexChâteau d'Oex: a wonderful introduction to the Vaud Alps, with this webcam offering a view of the village and the mountains.
- LeysinViews of the Vaud Alps, Chablais and Lake Geneva from this high-altitude webcam above Leysin.
- Les DiableretsLes Diablerets: a panoramic view of the Swiss Alps from the Diablerets Glacier at almost 3000m altitude...
- Villars sur OllonVillars sur Ollon: the village and its landscape facing the Chablais and overlooking the Rhone valley.
Activities not to be missed in the Vaud Alps
- Climb to Glacier 3000 from Les Diablerets resort, and enjoy the panoramic view of the Alps, or take a private tour of the glacier.
- Tobogganing in Les Diablerets or at the Tobogganing Park in Leysin
- Visit theEspace Ballon at Château d'Oex
- Disc golf (with frisbees) at Château d'Oex
- Husky-drawn sleigh ride at Col des Mosses
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