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(All photos: supplied)
The “Montreux Noël” is no ordinary Christmas market: it’s a magical world with a medieval market, a Christmas village with reindeer park and goblin village and incomparable atmosphere at various locations.
Did you know that the Montreux Noël casts its spell on around 400,000 visitors from all over the world each year? Once you have been there, you will understand why: the Christmas market alongside Lake Geneva is a colourful feast for the senses, a Christmas market of superlatives, with five locations and many attractions for young and old.
Above Montreux, in Caux, is the Christmas village. You can get there by train from Montreux via Glion to Rochers-de-Naye. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view over Lake Geneva and the Alps. Families with children will be delighted by the reindeer park with REAL reindeer and other animals, the goblin village and Father Christmas’s Post Office.
There are games and play houses for children on the village square, the magic forest invites you for a mystic walk, and the prettiest tree in the country will be chosen in the “Most beautiful Christmas tree competition”.
Change of scene: The grounds of Chillon Castle provide the perfect setting for the medieval market and fairytale festival. Here you will be spirited away to a world of knights in armour and tales of bye-gone times. Mandragore, a troupe of actors, show the life in the castle and its living history based on various guided tours. The performance is enlivened and accompanied with music on medieval instruments, by jugglers and fire-eaters. Forsooth, a colourful spectacle!
Of course the traditional Christmas market itself is also worth a visit. From the end of November until 24 December, 146 chalets stand decorated and illuminated along Léman-Quais. Here you will find hand-made craft items and delicious treats, mulled wine and gift ideas.
The rendezvous in the market hall, decorated with festive lighting of course, and a visit to the woodchopper’s village should not be missed. The latter is a real classic, as is the giant Christmas tree that shines its lights on the town. Father Christmas’s workshop with his box of magic tools is a special treat for kids. Here they can make gifts, produce sweets and draw candles.
Do you like cross-country skiing? Then don’t forget your skis: a 500-metre course runs alongside the lake. And while you are at it, you might bring some snow at the same time…
Montreux Noël, 24.11. until 24.12.2011
For further information: www.montreuxnoel.ch
Accommodation
Claudia Fahlbusch
Miroslaw Halaba
