Exploring Swiss Heritage Walking Tour

Vevey lies on the northern shore of Lake Geneva, in the canton of Vaud, in a bay between the vineyard slopes of Lavaux and the town of Montreux, and a walking tour of its old town is a good way to understand why this small place has such a large cultural footprint. It is a town with a long history: it began as a Roman settlement, known in antiquity under a name close to Viviscus, on a trade route between the Mediterranean and the north, and it grew as a market town and port. The medieval centre, with its covered market place and narrow streets, is the focus of a heritage walk, which usually lasts around two hours and combines architecture, stories and stops for views.

The centre of town is the Grande Place, a broad open square beside the lake, which has been the site of the market for centuries. Markets are still held there on certain mornings each week, with stalls selling produce, cheese, flowers and local wine. On one side stands the Halle, a neoclassical market hall dating from the early nineteenth century, a handsome colonnaded building that is used for events and festivals. The square is also the main arena of the Fête des Vignerons, the great wine growers' festival, which is held about once in a generation, and for which temporary stands for thousands of spectators are built in the square. The festival has been celebrated since the eighteenth century, with processions, music and costumed performances honouring the vine growers, and it is inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.

Behind the square, the lanes of the old town are lined with tall houses, small shops, cafés and the occasional hidden courtyard. The Church of Saint-Martin, on a hill above the town, has a tower from which there is a wide view over the roofs and the lake, and the climb through the quiet streets to reach it is rewarding. Several museums are within reach, including the Musée Jenisch, an art museum with a collection of works on paper and paintings, and a museum of the history of Vevey in the old town. Along the lakeside quay, a statue of Charlie Chaplin, who spent the last decades of his life in the area, has become a favourite stop for photographs, and a short distance offshore stands the giant fork, a sculpture belonging to the food museum nearby.

Vevey has a literary past as well. Jean-Jacques Rousseau set part of his novel Julie, or the New Heloise in the area around the lake, between Vevey and Clarens, and the shore has inspired many writers and painters since. In the nineteenth century, the town attracted foreign visitors, including Russians and English, who came for the mild climate and the views, and the grand hotels along the shore reflect that period.

Guided tours of this kind are offered by local guides and organised by the tourist office, with fixed dates and languages that vary, so check the schedule and book if required. The walk is mostly flat, with a few slopes and steps, and the cobbles can be uneven. It suits visitors who like history and culture, and it can be combined with a visit to the market, a lakeside lunch or a trip to Chaplin's World. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat in summer.