Lac Leman.2

This is a view of Lac Leman near the far end on the Swiss side, with part of the Alps in the distance. It was taken in April at Vevey, the town where Charlie Chaplin lived in his later years. At this time of the year, the skies and the Lac can look dramatic.

Just short distance past the glitzy city of Montreux is this impressive castle, Chateau de Chillon. I've included a link to the tourist website that has much better photos. The chateau was not open when I visited, so I had to be content to take this shot from the road, which included electrical lines for the tram.

The area has been used since the Bronze Age. The first written reference to the chateau dates from 1150. It's had a lot of history.

One of the fascinating sights is to see the vineyards of the Lavaux region dotted along the road hugging the Lac. There are tiers upon tiers of them. Unfortunately, in April, all is rather gray and colorless. But interesting nonetheless. Here is a shot of one vineyard. I'd say these vines would take only hand maintenance! Apparently the original vineyards were built by monks about 800 years ago (these gluttons for punishment were no doubt rewarded with rather good libations). The Lavaux is now a World Heritage site.

I had a wonderful tour of the Lac on this day. We stopped in Vevey, walked along the Lac for some distance, then warmed up at a little inn, having hot tea and the never-disapppointing patisserie offerings.

Even though the skies were dark and menacing, and it did rain a bit, the air was reviving and we had lots of fun discovering the new and the ancient.