Vaud (canton)

Vaud (canton)

The Vaud canton is where steep stone walls hold back the earth in the **Lavaux** where thousands of vineyard terraces plunge toward the blue expanse of **Lake Geneva**. This landscape thrives on three sources of light: the sun, the reflection off the water and the heat trapped by ancient masonry. Along the shore, the atmosphere shifts from the urban energy of **Lausanne** to the palm lined promenades of the Swiss Riviera in **Montreux**, mirrored by the snowy French Alps across the water. Inland, the terrain breaks into the rolling green pastures of the **Jura** and the high altitude drama of the **Vaudois** Alps. You'll encounter **Pays d’Enhaut**, a region of traditional wood carving where lake views are replaced by deep pine forests. The grand **Chateau de Chillon** stands as a silent stone sentry on the water edge, guarding the narrow passage between the mountains and the shore. The vibe here is undeniably French, felt in the relaxed pace of lakeside cafes and the local **Chasselas** wine production. One hour you are standing on the Glacier 3000 suspension bridge and the next you are in a sleek city square surrounded by world class museums. The Vaud canton gives you a journey of massive contrasts where Mediterranean plants grow in the shadow of eternal ice.

Vaud (canton) highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive
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History of Vaud (canton)

The Vaud canton is a tale of liberation and the birth of the **Swiss Riviera**. For over 250 years the territory was ruled as a subject land by the powerful city state of **Bern**. The local people who spoke French and felt a deep connection to the Enlightenment eventually revolted in 1798 with the help of **Napoleon**. This birth of the Canton of Vaud turned the region from a quiet agricultural province into a center of intellectual freedom and high end tourism. While the elite were enjoying the lakeside the monks and farmers were building a masterpiece of manual labor known as the **Lavaux** vineyards. Since the 11th century Benedictine monks have been stacking stones by hand to create the thousands of terraces that line the lake. This massive undertaking created a unique microclimate that allows the region to produce world class **Chasselas** wine. The history of the land is found in these stone walls maintained by the same families for generations. In the 20th century the province became a global hub for innovation and sport. The decision to host the International Olympic Committee in **Lausanne** turned the lakeside into the Olympic Capital while the founding of **Nestle** and the EPFL university made the region a leader in science and food technology. The history of the Vaud canton is the story of a community who moved from the shadow of Bernese rule to become the sophisticated French speaking heart of Swiss luxury and global diplomacy.
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