In Puidoux, winegrowing history, protected cultural heritage and excursions to Lac de Bret offer distinct experiences. When planning a break, you can choose between a vineyard walk, scenic landscapes and specific leisure activities. It is worth distinguishing the walk to the privately owned Tour de Marsens from the short train journey to Chexbres-Village.
Vineyards and cultural heritage
The Lavaux wine-growing landscape reflects almost a millennium of development, while long-standing local winegrowing traditions continue to be upheld and developed. Protected cultural heritage in Puidoux includes DĂ©zaley, Clos des Abbayes, the Chapelle du DĂ©zaley, a winegrower's house and an outbuilding. Clos des Abbayes was founded by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. The Tour de Marsens is also classified as protected cultural property in the canton of Vaud.
From Puidoux station, a short walk through the vineyards leads to the privately owned Tour de Marsens and takes about 20 minutes. Under certain conditions, the walk is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs. The tower offers a 360-degree panorama of the DĂ©zaley vineyards, Lake Geneva and the Alps. To visit the tower or arrange a wine tasting, you can get in touch via the contact form on the Domaine Tour de Marsens website. Access to the estate by motor vehicle is permitted only by prior arrangement or to collect an order.
The area's history stretches back further: Roman baths are said to have existed in Puidoux. In 1832, a ten-centimetre-high bronze statuette of a Bacchante was found in a vineyard. Across the wider Lavaux area, a cultural and tourist route connects visitors with the people who preserve the terraced vineyards over time, including local winegrowers.
Lac de Bret and outdoor activities
Lac de Bret lies within the municipality of Puidoux, covers around 50 hectares and sits at an altitude of 674 metres between the Tour de Gourze and Mont-Pèlerin. Since 1983, it has been listed in the canton of Vaud's inventory of natural monuments and protected landscapes. An important leisure destination, it is associated with fishing, boating and stand-up paddleboarding. As rules for public use may change, check the applicable regulations before your visit.
Golf de Lavaux has an 18-hole course with views of the Alps and Lac de Bret. Opening periods are seasonal; check current hours before visiting. Another option is Manège des Chaux in Puidoux: the riding school welcomes beginners and experienced riders and offers group and private lessons. Children aged four and over can take riding lessons suited to their age. As age rules may change, check the current policy directly with the provider before making plans.
Wine and seasonal offerings
Clos des Moines is a historic winery in Lavaux, Puidoux. Its wines are made in the classic DĂ©zaley style and are based mainly on Chasselas. During the season, visitors can enjoy the estate's wines with light meals on the terrace, with views of Lake Geneva. The offering is seasonal; check whether it is available at the time of your visit before travelling. The small Domaine Tour de Marsens is farmed without mechanisation, so vineyard work is done by hand.
Getting around between Puidoux and Chexbres-Village
The R7 regional train connects Puidoux to Chexbres-Village in three minutes. The Lavaux Panoramic, a sightseeing train through Lavaux's UNESCO World Heritage-listed terraced vineyards, starts there. This train connection and the approximately 20-minute walk to the Tour de Marsens lead to different destinations and offer different options for planning your day. If you are considering both, check the regional train timetable and the seasonal and access conditions for each offering.
Discover more destinations: Pully, Rivaz Vd, Saint-Saphorin, Grandvaux Vd, Bussigny-sur-Oron, Chexbres, Lutry, Bourg-En-Lavaux.
To the main travel overview: Lavaux.
