7 Reasons To Visit The Lake Geneva Region This Fall

1. James Bond Time – Timing is everything, especially for everyone’s favorite fictional spy, James Bond. It is fitting that an exhibition of the timepieces used in the James Bond movies will open this fall at Espace Horloger in Le Sentier in the heart of Swiss watchmaking, the Vallée de Joux.  This interactive museum is dedicated to Swiss timepieces and the James Bond Time exhibit will run from September 17 2016 to  April 23, 2017.

2. Villa le Lac -- A hidden treasure in the Lake Geneva Region, the Swiss architect Le Corbusier designed Villa le Lac, also known as Petite Maison Corseaux, in 1923-24 on the shores of Lake Geneva for his parents. Situated just outside of Vevey, this modernist masterpiece was his first work in Switzerland and was recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. The house is open to visitors on weekends in July and August, or by appointment.

3. nest – The new nest discovery center by Nestlé opened in Vevey this summer to celebrate the company’s 150th anniversary. This is a 32,000 square foot interactive space, with a sculptural ramp that winds through small displays, as well as a life-size tree decorated in over a thousand "flowers" made from crumpled and folded Nestlé packaging. Think Cailler chocolates, Nescafé instant coffee and Maggi stock cubes. These products originated at Nestlé and nest is located just behind the Vevey rail station in the iconic building where Henri Nestlé devised his "Farine Lactée" milk food for infants in 1866. Visit nest for more information.

4. Alimentarium -- Founded by Nestlé, the Alimentarium was the first museum in the world entirely dedicated to food when it opened in 1985. It reopened this summer after a nine month renovation, it has a new permanent exhibition, a multilingual digital archive and a Food Academy where members of the public can take cooking classes. Situated along the waterfront in Vevey, it’s easily spotted by the giant fork sculpture in Lake Geneva. Visit the Alimentarium.

5. L’Italie -- The paddle-boat L’Italie has undergone a year-long renovation and will be relaunched on Lake Geneva in November. This 1908 vessel is one of eight Belle Époque boats of the Compagnie Générale de Navigation sur le lac Léman  (CGN) that link cities and towns on the lake.

6.New Museum Restaurants -- Some of Vaud’s recent gastronomic highlights can be found in the cafes and restaurants of the regions new and reopened museums. They include Café Henri at the nest museum, The Tramp at Chaplin’s World (above)  as well as the café and restaurant of the Alimentarium.

7. Les Trois Ours – A remarkable new B&B in the ski resort of Villars-Gryon, Les Trois Ours offers a small spa with a range of wellness massages, an alfresco hot tub and a “Sauna Cosmic” with a dramatic mountain view. There’s also a Carnotzet, a small lounge adjacent to the wine cellar. Guests can choose from three south facing guestrooms as well as two apartments, and reserve the Saturday evening fondue. Details at Les Trous Ours.

The Lake Geneva Region (Canton of Vaud) is located in the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland. Visitors come for the history and the rich culture, but also for wine tastings in the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. They dine in celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants and local brasseries and visit lively farmers markets. Outdoor opportunities are endless, from skiing to hiking, biking and walking in the mountains and boating or swimming in Lake Geneva. Visit the Lake Geneva Region for more information.

6 Reasons To Visit The Lake Geneva Region This Spring

1. Chaplin’s World - The Modern Times Museum - Opening on April 17, Chaplin’s World in Corsier-sur-Vevey is dedicated to the life and times of filmmaker and actor Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin lived in the village from 1957 until his death in 1977, and the heart of the museum is located in his mansion, surrounded by 34 acres of gardens, pathways and terraces with panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. Chaplin’s World offers more than 32,000 square feet of interactive exhibition space, a restaurant and shop and will function as a cultural center with a changing roster of exhibits and films. Details at Chaplin's World.

2. Moderntimes Hotel – The Moderntimes Hotel has opened in Vevey, a short distance away from Chaplin’s World. This sleek 145 room 4-star design hotel has a fitness room as well as the Times Grill restaurant and the Times Bar. Details at Moderntimes Hotel

3. The Swiss Wine Hotel & Bar – Newly opened in the heart of Lausanne, the Swiss Wine Hotel & Bar is a trendy three-star hotel with décor based on the Swiss wine region of Lavaux, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that's adjacent to the city. The 62-room hotel has a fitness center, sauna and free WiFi, as well as a wine bar with a variety of Swiss wines. Breakfast is served in a room with panoramic views of Lausanne’s old town and the Lausanne Cathedral. Swiss Wine Hotel & Bar

4. An Alpine Night in a “Love Yurt” – Couples looking for the ultimate getaway can sleep in a yurt with an extraordinary view at Rochers-de-Naye at an altitude of 6,500 feet overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. Less than an hour by train from Montreux, the new “Love Yurt” promises a romantic night on the summit. The Friday/Saturday package includes a roundtrip train ride from Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye, one night in the Love Yurt, a 375-ml bottle of champagne and breakfast. The price is CHF 260  per couple, approximately $265.  Details at Golden Pass.ch

5. The Hotel Royal Savoy Reopens in Lausanne - After a $100 million renovation and expansion, the legendary Hotel Royal Savoy has reopened in Lausanne as a five-star property. The palatial Art Nouveau hotel was a favorite of royals when it first opened in 1906. The grand façade remains but there is a major new addition and dramatic modern interiors, thanks to the award-winning Maria Vafiadis of MKV Design in London. There are 196 rooms, a 16,000 square foot spa and the new rooftop Sky Terrace which offers a 360° panoramic view over the city of Lausanne, Lake Geneva and the Alps. Details at Hotel Royal Savoy.

6. Summer Music in Vaud– This year marks the 50th anniversary of the extraordinary Montreux Jazz Festival, from July 1 – 16. The full lineup won’t be released until April 14 but the 2016 Grammy Award-winning English band, Muse, will be among the headliners. Held in a different Swiss town every five years, the Federal Music Festival will be based in Montreux this June. The dates are June 10-12 and 17-19.  Some 25,000 musicians, including brass bands, orchestras and marching ensembles, will convene in the lakeside city for this festival, drawing some 200,000 visitors. Rock music fans head to the amazing Roman amphitheater in Avenches every August for the Rock Oz’Arènes festival, which runs from August 3 -7 and marks its 25th anniversary this summer. Finally, music will be in the air all summer in the city of Lausanne, which hosts the Lausanne Estivale from mid-June to mid-September. It will feature a vast number of concerts, shows and entertainments for all ages that will be entirely free.

The Lake Geneva Region (Canton of Vaud) is located in the French-speaking part of Western Switzerland. Visitors come for the history and the rich culture, but also for wine tastings in the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooking Lake Geneva and the Alps. They dine in celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants and local brasseries and visit lively farmers markets. Outdoor opportunities are endless, from skiing to hiking, biking and walking in the mountains and boating or swimming in Lake Geneva. Visit the Lake Geneva Region for more information.