Chillon Castle, the most visited historic building in Switzerland is an island castle located on Lake Geneva, south of Veytaux in the canton of Vaud. It is situated at the eastern end of the lake, on the narrow shore between Montreux and Villeneuve, which gives access to the Alpine valley of the Rhône. Chillon is amongst the most visited castles in Switzerland and Europe.

Successively occupied by the house of Savoy then by the Bernese from 1536 until 1798, it now belongs to the State of Vaud and is classified as a Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance. It is not surprising that this romantic setting has been the Muse of many artists for centuries. It was Jean-Jacques Rousseau who made the Castle of Chillon famous in his 18th-century novel “Julie, or the New Heloise”. Surrounded by a natural moat, the castle can be accessed via the lake from all sides. It is considered a ‘waterside castle’.

Chillon Castle in its current form is the result of several centuries of construction and redevelopment. The excavations carried out from the end of the 19th century, particularly those led by archaeologist Albert Naef (1862-1936), indicate that the site has been occupied since the Bronze Age. More than 400,000 guests visit Chillon per year. They view the wall paintings from the 14th century, the subterranean vaults, parade halls and the bedroom (which has been preserved in its original form) dating to the time of Bernese rule. 

Visiting Chillon Castle is like going back in time! Each room uncovers another layer of history behind this castle on Lake Geneva.

General Information

Openings : –

JANUARY TO MARCH (CLOSED ON 1 JANUARY) – TUESDAY TO SUNDAY (CLOSED ON MONDAYS)

10:00am to 5:00pm (last entry at 4:00pm)

APRIL TO DECEMBER (CLOSED ON 25 DECEMBER) – MONDAY TO SUNDAY

10:00am to 6:00pm (last entry at 5:00pm)

If you have purchased your tickets by time slot on our online ticketing service, you will have priority access to the bridge. Due to the sanitary measures decreed by the State of Vaud, a limited number of 540 people are allowed in the castle at any one time.

Price and Offers : –

 INDIVIDUAL VISITORS

ADULT : 13.50 (from 16 years old) CHF

CHILD : 7.00 (6-15 years old) CHF

REDUCED FEE : 11.50 CHF

Students, apprentices, pensioners, disability insurance recipients, Swiss military wearing their uniform

FAMILY : 35.00 CHF (2 adults + 2 to 5 children 6 to 15 years old)

 ADMISSION GROUPS (15 PEOPLE MIN)

ADULTS  : 10.50 CHF (aged 16 and over)

CHILDREN :  6.00 CHF (aged 6 to 15)

ADMISSION + AUDIOGUIDE

ADULTS : 15.00 CHF (aged 16 and over)

CHILDREN : 11.00 CHF (aged 6 to 15)

SCHOOL TRIPS

What kind of school trips are on offer at Chillon Castle?

For decades, Chillon Castle has been welcoming coach loads of school children as part of their traditional school curriculum. We can provide age-appropriate document packs to complement our castle tour:

• Educational packs to help teacher(s) plan their visit
• Drako itinerary especially designed for younger visitors

To qualify for our school trip prices, you must inform us of your visit in writing, using our online form. We especially recommend school groups book a guided tour to get the full castle experience. See all our school trip offers and choose the option that best suits your needs.

Pupils (and their guardians) in compulsory education (ages 4 to 15) at state schools in Vaud covered by the local authority (DGEO) will be granted free entry upon presentation of written proof from their school. This offer also applies to childcare facilities (nurseries, school holiday clubs, etc.).

To qualify for our school trip prices, you must inform us of your visit in writing, using our online form

SCHOOL TRIP PRICES – COMPULSORY EDUCATION (AGES 4-15)

CHILDREN : 6.00 CHF (aged 6 to 15)

GUARDIANS : 6.00  CHF

SCHOOL TRIP PRICES – STATE SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES IN LOCAL AUTHORITY (VAUD)

SCHOOLS IN LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY : Free upon presentation of proof

PUPILS IN NON-COMPULSORY EDUCATION (AGED 16 AND OVER) – UP TO 14 PEOPLE

STUDENT/APPRENTICE : 11.50 CHF (aged 16 and over)

GUARDIANS : 13.50 CHF

15 PEOPLE OR MORE GROUP RATES 10.50 CHF per person (all ages)

Group rates are only valid for groups of 15 people or more. To qualify for our group offer you must inform the venue in writing at least 48 hours in advance, using our online form below.

When making a group booking, you can also book a Café Byron catering package (in conjunction with a castle tour) for groups of at least 15 people.

For visits without a guide there is an explanatory brochure available for individual visitors in the following languages: Czech, Dutch, English, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Arabic.

With an appetizing, local and seasonal menu signed Novae, Café Byron welcomes you at any time of the day right next to the famous Castle of Chillon. Visitors and locals will be invited to come and sample our regional and seasonal cuisine in this new, ideally situated food and drinks space. 

Situated in front of the castle, looking out over Lake Geneva, the Bazaar has been around for over 100 years and, these days, is filled with souvenirs, post cards, miscellaneous items, toys and castle trinkets for Chillon Castle visitors to take home as a memento.

Café Byron will be open all year round, except 1 January and 25 December and on Mondays from November to March, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Presently, due to the Covid restrictions, it serves snacks on the terrace and take-away food and delicacies.

There are two great halls available for hire at the castle. For one-off events, Chillon can host dinners (up to 230 people), receptions (up to 500 people) as well as concerts and conferences (up to 250 people).

Smaller groups can also hire out the Albert Naef room for confrences or seminars (up to 20 people).

How to reach

BY CAR

You can get to Chillon Castle via the A9 motorway, Villeneuve or Montreux junctions. Chillon Castle is by the lake side between Montreux (4 km away) and Villeneuve (2 km away).

There is a large car park that you can use, free of charge, in front of the castle (but parking permits must be displayed, available at the ticket office) Caution: Never leave valuables in your vehicle. If necessary, lockers are available within the castle grounds.

Calculate your route with Google Maps. or Michelin.

Free parking for coaches.

PRACTICAL INFO

ACCESSIBILITY

WARNING: the castle is not wheelchair accessible. There are two interactive screens available in the cafeteria showing 8 short films on the castle’s history. Disabled toilets are available upon request.

BABIES

Prams are not allowed on our tour itineraries. Prams can be parked (unsupervised) at the cafeteria. We recommend you use a baby carrier instead. Baby-changing facilities are available.

BOATS

There is limited visitor docking space for private vessels in front of the castle (shallow water).

DOGS

Dogs are not permitted in the castle; however, they can be left at unsupervised stations at the castle entrance.

LUGGAGE

There is a left luggage area for visitor use inside the castle.

MISCELLANEOUS

The nearest cash machine is in Villeneuve (2km away).

REMEMBER

As per our regulations, Chillon Castle kindly requests visitors dress appropriately: entry will be refused to visitors in swimwear, or those who are topless and/or have bare feet.