Montreux sits on the northeastern shore of Lake Geneva, sheltered by mountains on three sides and blessed with the mildest climate in Switzerland. The lakefront promenade, lined with palm trees and flower beds, has an almost Mediterranean feel — this is the "Swiss Riviera," and the town has been attracting artists, writers, and wealthy visitors since the 19th century.
The Montreux Jazz Festival, held every July, is the main event — two weeks of concerts that have drawn everyone from Miles Davis to Prince. Freddie Mercury lived here in his final years, and a bronze statue of him on the lakefront has become one of the town's most photographed spots. The Montreux Casino, rebuilt after burning down in 1971 (an incident immortalised by Deep Purple in "Smoke on the Water"), now houses the Mountain Studios museum dedicated to Queen's years in the town.
The unmissable sight is Château de Chillon, a medieval castle on a rocky island just three kilometres south along the lake. It is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe and the most visited historic building in Switzerland. The walk along the lakefront promenade from Montreux to Chillon is one of the finest strolls in the country. For a grander view, the rack railway to Rochers de Naye climbs to 2,042 metres above the town with views of the entire lake and the Alps.