La Tour-de-Peilz brings together attractions suited to a range of travel plans: the cultural history of games, a medieval château, walks and seasonal experiences on Lake Geneva. The municipality stretches between the lake and the vineyards. At the harbor, the Dents-du-Midi provide a striking landmark; in town, art, architecture and waterside activities add to the appeal.
Play Culture, Château and Architecture
The Musée Suisse du Jeu is Switzerland’s only museum dedicated to the cultural history of games. The Château de La Tour-de-Peilz was built in the 13th century by the Counts of Savoy. It served as a defensive structure, a lookout post for shipping on Lake Geneva and a customs post. The museum and château are thus two distinct cultural attractions, each offering a different perspective on the town.
An art trail dedicated to Gustave Courbet offers another theme for your stay. There is also a guided Gustave Courbet tour through La Tour-de-Peilz and the harbor. Described as a cultural walk, it offers views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. If you plan to take this tour, check in advance whether a session is scheduled during your travel dates.
The church of La Tour-de-Peilz is another architectural landmark. It has a choir, and the main masonry of the nave dates from the early 14th century. Galleries with superimposed Tuscan columns run along three sides. The church hosts religious, musical and meditative activities, including meditative events with music and texts, as well as prayer services. When planning your visit, you can choose between different cultural interests, from the history of the museum and the town to visual art and church architecture.
The Harbor and Seasonal Lakeside Activities
The harbor faces the Dents-du-Midi. Visitors have access to 13 berths at Môle du Château and Vieux Môle. As visitor regulations at the harbor may change, it is advisable to check the information before your trip. The Quai Roussy leads walkers beyond the Oyonne toward Vevey; this can help you plan a walk in that direction without committing to a specific walking time.
Bains des Dames is a public beach open seasonally. The described shoreline areas include lawns, gravel, pebbles and shaded spots, as well as a diving board. Outdoor toilets and showers and changing rooms are available; parking is five minutes away, and there is also a playground. Plage de la Maladaire also has changing facilities, toilets and showers, parking, a campsite snack bar and a children’s playground. Before visiting, check the seasonal conditions at the beaches and for their facilities.
The two beaches also differ in the shoreline features described: at Bains des Dames, gravel and pebbles are part of the setting, along with lawns and shaded areas; Plage de la Maladaire has a shoreline with lawns, rocks and shade. In winter, Plage de la Maladaire is home to a caravan cabin converted into a sauna and a sauna barrel. You can combine these with a swim in the lake. Check opening dates and booking conditions for this seasonal option.
More Experiences and Travel Planning
If you would like to spend time on the lake, Sailin'Riviera offers sailing trips for individuals and groups. Availability may vary by season, so enquire in advance. Another local offering is the Marché de La Tour-de-Peilz, which features products from the local terroir. Alongside cultural attractions and the lakeside, sailing and regional products offer different options for your stay.
When looking for hotels in La Tour-De-Peilz, you can base your priorities on the stay you have planned: would you mainly like to visit the play museum, the château and the town’s architectural sights, or are you more interested in seasonal beach activities, the winter sauna or sailing? For experiences available at specific times, check the relevant dates, availability and conditions before making them a fixed part of your plans.
Discover more destinations: Blonay, Rougemont Vd, Chardonne, Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Caux, Jongny, Montreux, Rossinière.
For the regional travel overview: Riviera-Pays-D'enhaut.
