This medieval castle is set on a slight spur on the eastern shores of Lake Geneva. It was built for the Dukes of Savoy. Its origins can be traced back to the 11th Century, but its present appearance dates from the 13th Century. In 1536 the castle was captured buy the Bernese and from then until 1798 was the seat of the Bernese bailiffs. The centre of court life, the castle was also used as a prison, its most famous captive was Francois de Bonivard, who was imprisoned there from 1530 to 1536 for political incitement.

The Bernese left the castle in 1798 at the time of the Vaudois Revolution. The castle became the property of the Canton of Vaud when it was founded in 1803.

Restoration work continued from the end of the 19th century to the present day.

It is a pleasant twenty minute walk from our hotel in Montreux along the shores of Lake Geneva to the castle.