Around the Lake Geneva to Chillon Castle

May 23, 2025

Shake down ride

This morning we headed off on our bikes to check them out before our official tour starts tomorrow morning. We headed around the lake trying to stay as close to the lakefront as possible. We had to double back once, as the really steep bike stairs presented more of a challenge than we were up for with heavy e-bikes. The bikes performed well, and the clouds lifted some so that we could see the snow capped mountains in the distance. Chillon Castle was marvelous, well restored, and the audio guides really gave a flavor for what we were seeing as we explored the castle. We stopped for our first ice cream of the trip on our way back into Vevey.

Along Lake Geneva on our way to Chillon Castle

Lake Geneva and its snow capped mountains

Our view of Chillon castle and the mountains in the background as we approached

Chillon Castle, the first written mention of the castle was in 1150.

The castle dungeon that was used as a prison for hundreds of years. Much of the castle’s fame is because of this prison. The English poet Lord Byron visited the castle and was inspired by the story of Francois Bonivard who was held prisoner there for many years. Byron’s poem the prisoner of Chillon was inspired by Bonivard’s imprisonment.

The prison is quite close to the lake’s level. This was an escape hatch used if the castle was under siege.

The first courtyard was surrounded by castle services such as the stables.

The constables dining room. This part of the castle was used as a residence.

The view out over the lake and the mountains

The coat of arms hall, a reception room in the Middle Ages. It is decorated with the coats of arms of the baliffs and administrators that ran the castle from 1536 to 1733.

The ceiling of the private chapel of the counts and dukes of Savoy. It was abandoned during the reformation and used as a granary.

Looking out over the castle from the top of the keep. The keep is 8 stories tall. The keep was a refuge tower and symbol of power.

The keep, the keep was built in stages the first keep went up to where the horizontal crack is. Then a later addition built it up to where you can see faint crenellations and the third version finished the keep.

Many of the doorways were pretty short….

On the way back to Vevey we stopped for gelato!

In the large open square there is a painted area to teach bicycle traffic rules and safety

Along most of the lakeshore there is a walking/biking path with parkland and lots of people were out enjoying it today

Our hotel in Vevey, we leave tomorrow and head out over the hills/mountains.

Today's ride: 14 miles (23 km)
Total: 306 miles (492 km)

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