On Lake Geneva, opposite Mont Blanc, Morges reveals its character between the lakeshore and the old town. Parc de l’Indépendance lies on the lakeshore between Château de Morges and the Morges. At the heart of the old town, Grand-Rue is reserved for pedestrians. From here, explore museums, historic buildings and paths that reveal different sides of the town.
History in houses and collections
Château de Morges is a 13th-century lakeside fortress and an example of a Savoyard square castle. It houses five museums. One is devoted to Swiss military history from the Middle Ages to the Cold War; the château also displays the country’s largest collection of historical figurines. At the Musée Paderewski, discover the story of the Polish pianist, composer and statesman Ignace Jan Paderewski, who lived in Morges from 1897 to 1940. The museum is located in the château and features a modern, interactive presentation.
On Grand-Rue, the Musée Alexis Forel is housed in a 14th-century building. The founding manifesto of the WWF, the “Manifeste de Morges”, was signed in this same building, now used by the museum, in 1961. Temporary exhibitions and programmes on graphic arts are complemented by concerts, readings and workshops; the programme may change. The Musée Bolle offers a different focus: it is located in an 18th-century residence and presents temporary exhibitions on the heritage of Morges and the region in three main rooms.
Paths for different discoveries
The cultural town walk is a 1.5-kilometre circular route. It starts at Château de Morges and passes through the old town. The Sentier du Boiron takes a different route: it starts at the port of Petit-Bois and leads to the medieval town of St-Prex. It includes a three-kilometre Parcours Vita; information panels cover fishing, lake fish and pile-dwelling settlements. The 3.1-kilometre Piste Vita also starts at the port of Petit-Bois and runs along part of Lake Geneva.
The lakeside walk between Morges and Lausanne also starts at the port and Château de Morges. It follows flower-lined promenades and passes the landing stage, the casino, the temple and Morges Bay. The flowers along the route vary by season. The routes described therefore differ not only in length but also in focus: the old town, the Boiron’s information panels or the lakeside stretch towards Lausanne.
For a tour of the surrounding area, there is the seasonal Petit Train touristique de Morges, which runs from April to October along the lake, through historic lanes and vineyards. The ride includes a stop at a Vins de Morges winemaker for a guided tasting. Check the reservation and availability conditions for this offer in advance.
Flowers, market and lake
Morges has held its Tulip Festival every year since 1971. Another seasonal floral event is the FĂŞte du Dahlia: along the shores between the temple and Blancherie, it features more than 1,200 dahlias in 50 varieties. If you are planning a visit for a specific date, check the event dates and figures.
Experience everyday life on Grand-Rue at the traditional market, held year-round on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. It offers local produce, fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, charcuterie and handicrafts; individual vendors may vary. For a seasonal stay by the water, Piscine du Parc has pools for all ages, extensive green spaces and views of Mont Blanc. It is suitable for visitors with reduced mobility. Check opening dates and facilities before your trip. The lake access at Parc de Vertou has a changing room, lockers and a shower; note that availability is seasonal.
Getting there and finding your way
Morges has a CGN boat landing stage. In summer, boats run daily from Morges and St-Prex; in spring and autumn, they run only at weekends. Check the current CGN timetable before travelling. By car, Morges is located just off the A1 motorway between Geneva and Lausanne. At Parc des Sports, a free-to-access pump track adds to the options: its 114 metres of banked turns, rollers and dips offer routes for bicycles, skateboards and scooters.
Discover more destinations: Morges, Saint-Sulpice, Denens, Montricher, Ecublens Vd, Saint-Livres, Aclens, Préverenges, Chigny Vd, L'isle Vd, Cuarnens, Bière, Bougy-Villars, Montherod, Echichens, Saint-Prex, Tolochenaz, Lonay, Féchy, Lavigny, Allaman, Clarmont, Etoy, Yens, Aubonne, Saint-Saphorin-sur-Morges.
For the overview of the wider region: Vaud.
