Chateau de Chillon

Chateau de Chillon – also known as Castle Chillon – is a picturesque fort which uses both Lake Geneva and a moat created between a small island and the mainland for defence. First mentioned between 1160 or 1005 AD, it is along the shoreline of Lake Geneva near Veytaux, Switzerland. Through the centuries it has been home to the Counts of Savoy as well as Lord Byron.

Chillon began as a Roman outpost, guarding the strategic road through the Alpine passes. First construction of the castle itself dates back to the 10th century, though it is likely that it was a military site before that date: objects dating from the Roman and Bronze ages were discovered during 19th century excavations. The oldest parts of the castle haven’t been definitively dated, but the first written record of the castle is in 1005. From the mid 12th century, the castle was used a summer house for the Counts of Savoy, who kept a fleet of ships on Lake Geneva.

At the end of the 19th century, structures were set up for scientific and historically accurate restoration project of Chillon. The restoration project was internationally acclaimed for its rigour and attention to detail, with a combination of knowledge and extensive research heavily influencing its development. Historically, Chillon has attracted romantic writers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Gustave Flaubert, and Lord Byron. Today, Chillon is amongst the most visited castles in Switzerland and Europe, with 42 rooms and an accompanying audio guide making it a hugely worthwhile visit.