Montreux, Switzerland city guide: What to do and where to stay

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Montreux’s landscape is packed with vineyards Throughout the year, Swiss wines come to the fore – more expensive than those from France and Italy, admittedly, but infinitely more minimal impact. The main draw is the annual Montreux Jazz Festival but there’s also the LP-spinning Boutique Officielle du Festival de Jazz de Montreux to pick up Keith Haring and Andy Warhol-designed pop art posters and merchandise, plus the almost sacred Montreux Jazz Cafe and adjoining Funky Claude’s Bar. open image in gallery The Montreux Jazz Festival is held annually in early July Go gaga for Queen Inside the unsung Casino Barriere, where you’d only really venture if you’re a high roller or bleary-eyed 3am blackjack player, you can happily waste an hour at Queen The Studio Experience learning the backstory of the beloved stadium rock band. You’ll get the idea when exploring Montreux Noel, a procession of 150 bauble-lit, chalet-style stalls, which extend for nearly a mile along Lake Geneva’s shoreline on Quai Edouard-Jaccoud.