Chateau de Chillon

In the city of Montreux on the shore of Lake Geneva or, as it is sometimes called Lake Lemon, is a castle built on a rocky islet in a position of power to defend the region and it’s trade routes.

The building was started in the 11th century with improved defenses in the 13th century and the towers were raised in the 15th century.  The castle was built on an island of rock with a natural moat surrounding it and only one way in across the draw bridge.  That is until boats were able to carry cannons and other weapons.

During the Middle Ages the men who policed the region were called Bailiffs. One room in the castle showed the coat of arms of all the bailiffs who served here.

The cellar was also used as a dungeon and place of torture as well as storage for beer, wine and foods.

One bedroom had painted walls, nearby was the bathing room and, of course, the latrine which emptied into the cellar or the lake.  There was also a small chapel, a huge dining hall and large cooking areas around a big fireplace.

It wouldn’t be a very good fortress without several towers.

After a nice walk along the lake and lunch in town we rode the train to Zermatt where we first saw the Matterhorn.  The ride up to Zermatt was lovely with mountain views, Swiss chalets and cows with bells.

We had a fabulous Italian dinner in a restaurant that Mike had found and made a reservation at weeks ago.