Study in Montreux, Switzerland

Montreux, Switzerland, is a small city on the eastern shores of Lake Geneva (the opposite end from the city that shares the lake’s name. The town is located just a few scant miles from the French-Swiss border, and is one of the best places in western Switzerland to study and work. It is part of Switzerland’s French-speaking region, but English is also very common – you should have no trouble getting around in either language. Like most of Switzerland, Montreux is known for being clean, safe, efficient, and blessed with abundant natural splendor ranging from deep, clear lakes such as Lake Geneva to the high snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps.

Switzerland is an extremely multilingual country, and Montreux is no exception. French dominates the social scene and most billboards, announcements, etc., will be made in French, but the city is nonetheless keenly aware of the fact that it is situated right at the historical crossroads of French and German cultures. This blending of heritages affects not only language but also food, customs, and politics. Still, French is unmistakably the language of daily life for people in Montreux, and if you plan to live there you should be sure to make some effort to learn the language. Even though your neighbors will almost certainly speak English, attempting to speak to someone in French is a sign of respect.

All of Switzerland is dominated by mountainous terrain that attracts hikers, skiers, and mountaineers from around the world. Montreux in particular is renowned around the world as a hiker’s paradise. The hills immediately surrounding the city are gentle enough to provide easy day hikes and opportunities for less experienced climbers, but they nonetheless afford breathtaking views of the city. For a little more adventure, the high Alps are just a short train ride away.

You can also take a trip to the world-famous Château de Chillon, a large historic castle picturesquely situated on an island in Lake Geneva. It’s only a few minutes by train, and it’s within walking distance of downtown, so a stroll along the lakeside is a great way to get there. Other sightseeing opportunities to take advantage of include walking tours of historic downtown Montreux and cruises on the placid waters of the lake. There are several trains in the hills or along the lake that offer “panorama cars,” specially-designed train cars with large windows and glass roofs to allow optimal views from inside the train.

Of course, a trip to Montreux for work or study will include more than tours and hikes. For that reason, it’s good to know that Montreux has an extremely efficient system of public transportation. Although it’s small, there are plenty of trains to and from the city as well as a number of other transit options. They are not as comprehensive as some of the options in larger cities, but they will easily take you around to various sites in Montreux and the neighboring towns.