Chillon Castle (Chateau de Chillon) Overview
Chillon Castle is the most famous castle in Switzerland. It enjoys a spectacular location on the eastern edge of Lake Geneva, near Montreux, with the Dents du Midi (literally meaning the Teeth of the South) mountains in the background. Built in the 13th century on Roman foundations, Lord Byron visited the chateau and later wrote the poem 'Prisoner of Chillon' (1816) about the fate of Francois de Bonivard (1493-1570). Bonivard was the castle's most famous prisoner, incarcerated between 1530 and 1536 for trying to bring protestantism to Switzerland. The castle was once an important medieval fort, strategically located on an island to guard against invasion. Today, visitors can see the castle's famous prison, and also tour the the Grand Hall, the Hall of Justice, the Armouries, the Grand Hall of the Count, the Duke's Chamber and Saint George's Chapel.
Contact Addresses
Association du Chateau de Chillon, 1820 Veytaux, Switzerland
Tel: (021) 966 8910
Website: www.chillon.ch
Transportation
Air: Geneva International Airport. Water: Boat: Boats dock at the CGN jetty next to the castle. Rail: Train: Veytaux-Chillon Station. Road: Bus: Daily trolley bus service to the castle. Car: A1 and A9 towards Montreux (from Geneva); the castle is within walking distance of Montreux.
Tourist Information
Schweiz Tourismus (Switzerland Tourism)
Todistrasse 7, 8027 Zurich, Switzerland
Tel: (01) 288 1111. Fax: (01) 288 1205. E-mail: info@switzerlandtourism.ch
Website: www.myswitzerland.com
Switzerland Tourism
Tenth Floor, Swiss Center, 10 Wardour Street, London W1D 6QF, UK
Tel: (00800) 1002 0030 (toll-free Europe only) or (020) 7292 1550. Fax: (00800) 1002 0031 (toll-free Europe only) or (020) 292 1599. E-mail: stc@stlondon.com
Website: www.myswitzerland.com
Location
Switzerland
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