Geneva offers just a tantalizing preview of the landscapes that fringe Lake Geneva, the broad crescent of water that forms part of the border between Switzerland and France. Board one of the frequent lake steamers for an unforgettable tour of soaring mountains, terraced vineyards, photogenic stone villages, elegant Belle Époque hotels, and a famous lakeside castle. Each stop along the route is an invitation to explore the Swiss Riviera at your own pace.
In Vevey, consider visiting the Alimentarium food museum or disembarking at the Vevey–La Tour quay for a memorable lunch at Hotel du Lac, the setting that inspired the prize-winning novel of the same name. At Rivaz–Saint-Saphorin you can step ashore to walk through the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage site whose terraces you will have admired from the boat. The marked footpath to the medieval village of Saint-Saphorin passes working wineries that welcome tastings and includes interpretive signs explaining viticulture practices dating back to Roman times; the views across the lake are exceptional. In fashionable Montreux you can disembark to board the narrow-gauge Rochers-de-Naye rack railway for panoramic alpine vistas. Just beyond Montreux the imposing Château de Chillon rises directly from the water and is well worth a stop to explore.
Fleet options on the lake are varied: eight of the 20 vessels operated by the Lake Geneva Navigation Company are historic paddle steamers, and most boats offer both open-deck seating and enclosed glass-walled salons where light meals and snacks are served. Alternatively, you can stop in Lausanne for a lakeside dinner at Château d’Ouchy and return to Geneva by train. Whatever you choose, traveling by steamer provides a relaxed, scenic way to experience the vineyards, villages, and mountains that define the Swiss Riviera.