RoadAtlas
Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland — Scenic
Europe

Lavaux Vineyards

Switzerland

Point-to-point
Lausanne Château de Chillon

In short: Lavaux Vineyards is a Local rail/walk itinerary; car parked scenic road trip in Switzerland, typically driven over 1 day, best in April – October. Highlights: Lausanne, Lutry, Cully.

Distance
Local rail/walk itinerary; car parked
Duration
1 day
Best Season
April – October
NotableEasyScenicEV-friendly

A short but sublime drive along Route 9 above the northern shore of Lake Geneva, through the UNESCO World Heritage Lavaux wine terraces that stagger up from the water in sheer stone-walled tiers that beggar belief. The road links the higgledy-piggledy French-speaking city of Lausanne to Château de Chillon, an extraordinary 13th-century fortress immortalised in Lord Byron's poem.

Practical notes
Do not drive vineyard work lanes. Park legally at Lutry, Cully or Vevey—or arrive by RER—then use rail and walking through the terraces. Walk the official 2.8 km Route des Grands Crus, prebook one Vinorama/vigneron tasting, and keep the driver alcohol-free. Choose Chillon after the vineyard segment rather than also adding Alimentarium; book Chillon online and verify rail/boat, restaurant and festival dates.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Lausanne to Cully, the Lavaux walk, and Château de Chillon

Route des Grands Crus and Lavaux Vinorama · Prebooked Château de Chillon · Café de Riex

Stops along the route

Lausanne — Departure — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
Departure
Lausanne
Switzerland's Olympic capital and most hilly lakeside city. The Gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral and Collection de l'Art Brut make it Geneva's most stimulating neighbour.
Hotels
Lutry — City — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
City
Lutry
The first Lavaux village east of Lausanne, a medieval harbour where the stone-walled wine terraces begin and cellar-door tastings of Chasselas are easy to find.
Hotels
Vevey — City — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
City
Vevey
Charlie Chaplin's home for his final 25 years; his Villa is now the exceptional Chaplin's World museum. Nestlé's global HQ also sits on this lakefront.
Hotels
Montreux — City — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
City
Montreux
Home of the world-famous Jazz Festival every July. The lakefront Freddie Mercury statue marks where Queen recorded at Mountain Studios for over a decade.
Hotels
Château de Chillon — Arrival — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
Arrival
Château de Chillon
A 13th-century island castle that inspired Byron's 1816 poem. Turner and Courbet both painted it; the dungeon pillar where Bonivard was chained is still visible.
Hotels

Things to Do

Route des Grands Crus and Lavaux Vinorama — 2.8 km vineyard walk — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
2.8 km vineyard walk
Route des Grands Crus and Lavaux Vinorama
Leave the car at a legal hub and walk the official route with one booked tasting.
Prebooked Château de Chillon — Castle — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
Castle
Prebooked Château de Chillon
Choose Chillon as the second major visit; omit Alimentarium this day.

Where to Eat

Cully — Food & Drink — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
Food & Drink
Cully
The Féchy and Épesses appellations produce the finest Chasselas on the lake, crisp and mineral. The Caveau des Vignerons de Cully is the best tasting address.
Lavaux Vinorama, Rivaz — Food & Drink — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
Food & Drink
Lavaux Vinorama, Rivaz
A cave-like UNESCO visitor centre cut into the terraces at Rivaz, with tastings of 300 regional wines and a panoramic terrace over the lake to the French Alps.
Café de Riex — Swiss regional — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
Swiss regional
Café de Riex
Use as the one vineyard lunch and reserve/check opening.
Le Deck — Swiss lakeshore — Lavaux Vineyards — Switzerland
Swiss lakeshore
Le Deck
Optional dinner only; verify seasonal service.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Lavaux Vineyards drive?

The Lavaux Vineyards covers Local rail/walk itinerary; car parked from start to finish.

How long does the Lavaux Vineyards take to drive?

Most travellers spend 1 day on the Lavaux Vineyards, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Lavaux Vineyards?

The recommended season for the Lavaux Vineyards is April – October.

Where does the Lavaux Vineyards start and end?

The Lavaux Vineyards runs from Lausanne to Château de Chillon.

What are the main stops on the Lavaux Vineyards?

The Lavaux Vineyards passes through Lausanne, Lutry, Cully.

How difficult is the Lavaux Vineyards to drive?

The Lavaux Vineyards is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Lavaux Vineyards in a regular car?

Yes — the Lavaux Vineyards is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Lavaux Vineyards EV friendly?

Yes — the Lavaux Vineyards has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Lavaux Vineyards safe to drive?

Do not drive vineyard work lanes. Park legally at Lutry, Cully or Vevey—or arrive by RER—then use rail and walking through the terraces. Walk the official 2.8 km Route des Grands Crus, prebook one Vinorama/vigneron tasting, and keep the driver alcohol-free. Choose Chillon after the vineyard segment rather than also adding Alimentarium; book Chillon online and verify rail/boat, restaurant and festival dates.

What scenic tier is the Lavaux Vineyards?

The Lavaux Vineyards is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.