MONTREUX IS SWITZERLAND'S ANSWER TO THE FRENCH RIVIERA BUT IS CLEANER, CLASSIER AND MORE CHARMING THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE! VISIT MONTREUX THIS YEAR AND I GUARANTEE THIS IS BE YOUR MOST MEMORABLE SOJOURN TO EUROPE! JUST CHECK OUT THE LIST OF MUST-SEE AND MUST-DO!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

Montreux Vevey Lavaux montreuxriviera.com Montreux Riviera gears up for a great year!  2016 was a landmark year for Montreux Riviera. With many thrilling novelties, major events and the number of overnight stays rising by almost 7% in 2016; it was an exhilarating ride. So how can 2017 compete?  Well... let's see! Arvinis, Switzerland's largest wine trade fair, comes to Montreux; the Winegrowers Festival, inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage list in December 2016, brings the number of Montreux inscriptions to four; and this year we celebrate Lavaux's ten-year anniversary as a World Heritage site. Finally, to recharge your batteries, there 's nothing to beat exploring the region's mountains and hidden natural gems.  Montreux Riviera's nature excursions The Montreux Riviera landscape is made up of towns, the lake, vineyards and mountains. This stunning topography is home to many natural treasures, including a few which are relatively unknown. The Gorges du Chauderon, just a stone's throw from the city centre of Montreux, guarantees visitors a complete change of scenery with its steep cliffs, magical waterfalls and flora. There is also the Grangettes Nature Reserve, the last protected wild space on the shores of Lake Geneva where the vegetation is lush. For experienced walkers, the region also offers hiking routes like the Dent de Jaman trail with its stunning panoramic views. Finally, Les Avants, Glion and Les Pléiades are ideal spots for admiring the meadows filled with narcissi in flower in May.   Discover Montreux Riviera's many hiking trails Arvinis: Switzerland's largest wine trade fair comes to Montreux From 26 April until 1 May, Montreux will become Switzerland's wine capital! Now in its 22nd year, the Arvinis wine trade fair, which features 200 exhibitors, will take place at the 2M2C Music Centre & Convention Centre for the first time. More than 5,000 wines from all over the world will be on show, and, of course, the six wine-growing regions of Switzerland will be particularly well represented.  This year, the guest of honour is Piedmont, and around a dozen wine producers will showcase wines from this prestigious region. In addition to the exhibitors, the event will also offer the chance to refine and test your knowledge of wine – thanks to some fun-filled workshops. This is an event where warmth and tradition are to the fore! Visit the trade fair website Four UNESCO inscriptions for the Montreux Riviera region The region boasts four inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Inscribed in 2017, the Lavaux vineyards were the first and are without a doubt the best known. In 2013, the archival collection featuring over 5,000 hours of Montreux Jazz Festival concert recordings were entered on the UNESCO World Music Heritage Memory of the World register. In July 2016, Le Corbusier's Villa "Le Lac" (Corseaux) was listed along with other national and international works by the architect. Finally, the last inscription was in December 2016 when the Fête des Vignerons, held every 25 years in Vevey, was entered on the international agency's list as an Intangible Heritage site. The next edition of the festival will take place in 2019.   Have you visited Le Corbusier's Villa "Le Lac" yet? Lavaux celebrates! More than 30 years of events centred around music, wine and food breathe life into Lavaux all year long. The festivities kick off with the Cully Jazz Festival (30 March until 8 April) which, now in its 35th year, promises a contemporary jazz programme filled with memorable musical performances, in the heart of the wine-growing village of Cully. Don't miss the 20th Tracassets World Championship on 29 April where a race will be held featuring odd-looking vehicles which are typical of the region and normally used in wine production. They take off at breakneck speed on Lavaux's steep slopes, which will be proudly decorated for the occasion. Finally, to kick off the celebrations marking the vineyards' ten-year anniversary of UNESCO status, a naval parade on board the CGN boat Belle Epoque will take place for the first time opposite the slopes of Lavaux on 21 May. Enjoy either on board the boat or from the quays of Cully!   Many more events still to come in Montreux Riviera!