We settled in a lovely hotel right on the lakefront and then walked along the lake, past the palm trees and colorful gardens, viewing the green mountains and the snowy peaks across the lake. No wonder this is called Montreux Riviera!
In 45 minutes we reached the Chateau du Chillon. What a site! I remember visiting this spot 50 years ago, but, even though the castle is more than 800 years old, a lot has changed in 50 years! Now there are six excellent videos about the history, architecture and prison stories, as well as self-guided tours with an iPod and a great book store.
The building was during many times a hone for the counts of Savoy. We spent most of the time focusing on the periods during which the castle was used as a prison and particularly the story of Bonnivard's imprisonment in 1530 made famous by Lord Byron's sonnet written after visiting Chillon in 1816. As a champion of trampled freedom, he composed "The Prisoner of Chillon."
Since Byron is one of the poets featured in the poetry sessions Johm leads at the Vi Retirement Community, he drank in the history and context of the poem. I also found the history of the building fascinating, learning more about the many uses of the castle over the centuries.
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Location:Chateau du Chillon, Montreux
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