Hi, has anyone been to Vevey? I am planning a day trip to the french part and would love to have some cultural insights. Is there quite a lot to explore or perhaps I should visit another city too, like Montreux? Any suggestions on good restaurants or cafés?
Thanks!

I don't think it would take a whole day to visit Vevey, definitely do Montreux as well, or a walk in the vineyards of Lavaux. To get between them, think about taking a boat along the lake, which are run by CGN.

definately visit chateu de chillon (on the lake just after montreux)!

http://www.chillon.ch/



there is a wonderful posh restaurant in chardonne - a little wine producing village above vevey - you get to it on the very picturesque funicular from vevey, anyway the restaurant is called a la montagne ..very posh however by the lake i recommend charley's at place de marche or on the other side of place de marche is The National - a cool pub come restaurant.

Back to the funi..if you take it to the highest stop you arrive at Mount Pelerin- and with a little hike up the mountain you"ll find Plain Ciel and a quaint coffee shop.There are magnificent panoramic views from Mont Pèlerin as far as the eye can see. This magic is achieved with a little technological help: a few seconds in a completely safe panoramic lift and you are free to enjoy a view in every direction. Once you have satisfied your thirst for beautiful sights you can explore an entire network of footpaths, which are suitable for everyone. Finally, with a little luck, you will come across the typical village restaurant serving local specialities.



have a really enjoyable visit!

Hi Carolina and congratulations on your choice of destination! Vevey is a delightful town - much more authentic and less touristy than Montreux - though the Chateau de Chillon is indeed a 'must'. Depending on the ages and interests of your party, Vevey has a museum devoted to food and sponsored by Nestlé (the Alimentarium) and the Games Museum (Musée du Jeux) is in the castle at La Tour de Peilz (to the east side of Vevey).
Just walking around the streets of Vevey is fun, particularly if you like clothes, antiques or food.
The market which happens every Tuesday and Saturday is brilliant.
Restaurant-wise I'd second the recommendation of the National in Vevey. La Montagne in Chardonne is fine, though I wouldn't call it 'posh'!. If you're lookng for real local food and ambience there's the Bon Vin, also in Chardonne, and the café in Riez - along the corniche between Chexbres and Grandvaux.
Assuming that you are driving, you should definitely not miss the corniche - plenty of stopping points to admire the view. The terrace of the hotel Baron Tavernier (Le Deck) in Chexbres is the best in the region in every respect but reservations are needed. A little further along towards Epesses is the restaurant La Clochattaz which has a pleasant terrace and serves Indian (the boss is Indian), Chinese (his wife is Chinese) and traditional (filets de perches etc) dishes.
If you drive one way along the corniche and back along the lake road I'd recommend stopping to walk round Saint Saphorin which is a really beautiful village. Like virtually all the villages in Lavaux it has a caveau and you should stop in one to taste and buy some of the local wine!

Was browsing their, chateu de chillon, website and came across a special lighting of the castle for august first