Your property in Vevey
From high-tech and contemporary urban lofts to prestigious renovated villas, the choice of property in Vevey is exceptional.
Penthouse properties and houses usually have views of the Lake Geneva as well as the Alps, while houses and ground-floor apartments offer desirable private gardens.
Inside Vevey
Vevey sits in an area known as The Riviera due to its micro-climate and palm trees along its lake path and is arguably one of the best-placed towns on Lake Geneva thanks to its spectacular views of the Alps.
The Old Town’s narrow cobbled streets, complete with fountains and statues, are lovingly maintained, while there are plenty of museums – including those dedicated to arguably its most famous resident, Charlie Chaplin – and galleries dotted throughout the town.
Being at the edge of Lake Geneva means access to water sports is convenient, while true escapism is close by at outdoor expanses such as Mont Pèlerin (a funicular runs from Vevey to the mountain’s base) and Cape au Moine.
Landscape
On the shore of Lake Geneva, Vevey is a low-lying, flat town whose surroundings quickly become hilly and mountainous.
The town’s closest neighbour in Montreux to the east, with Lausanne slightly further to the west.
Education
Excellent education options are available for families considering moving to Vevey, with the Haut-Lac bilingual international school on the edge of Vevey in La Chiésaz.
Alternatively, the St George’s International School, a British institution founded by two Oxford graduates, is mid-way between Vevey and Montreux.
In terms of further education, the nearest universities are the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (ranked second in the country) and the University of Lausanne, while the University of Geneva and the University of Bern are within 100 kilometres.
Activities and Entertainment
Vevey’s location next to Lake Geneva makes the town perfect for indulging in everything the water has to offer, from leisurely swims, paddleboarding and boat hire to the more adrenalin-fuelled water-skiing and kitesurfing.
The town has some fantastic historical sites to explore, such as Chillon Castle on the banks of Lake Geneva, while Chaplin’s World, housed in the Manoir de Ban where the eponymous film star spent his final 25 years, celebrates his life and work.
In winter, the ski region of Les Pléiades is suited to families thanks to its gentle slopes and cross-country ski trails that lead through splendid forests.
Art and Culture
Vevey is awash with museums and galleries, notably the Alimentarium, which is part of the Nestlé Foundation (the chocolate maker has been headquartered in Vevey since 1814).
The town has a lively events calendar, with Festival Animai (a festival of art and animation), PictoBello (where artists and designers take to the streets to produce original work) and Fête des Vignerons (the world’s largest wine festival) just a small selection.
The country’s affiliation with exceptional rail travel is also showcased in Vevey, with historic steam locomotives running along the museum railway line between Blonay and Chamby, and the Train des Vignes (vine train) winding its way through the wine-growing region of Lavaux.
Food and Drink
From cutting-edge molecular gastronomy through to casual cuisine, it’s all on offer in Vevey.
The town readily indulges in fondue at its various cafés and restaurants, with the legendary moitié-moitié fondue (made from Gruyére and Vacherin Fribourgeois cheeses) served up in the township of Châtel-St-Denis. Meanwhile, local seafood and meat-based specialities are served up at lakeside bistros, while its trio of Michelin-starred restaurants offer classic French and creative cuisine.
Such are the beauty of the Lavaux district’s vineyards on the edge of Vevey that they have been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. The area is famed for its white Chasselas grapes which goes by the name of Fendant, and the reds are mainly Pinot Noir and Gamay.
Accessibility
Vevey’s convenient location means it is easily reached from both Geneva, which has a large international airport, and the closer Lausanne, whose airport does not have scheduled commercial traffic.
The town can be accessed by the A9 motorway and via rail, with trains from Geneva taking just over an hour, and Lausanne in less than 20 minutes.