If you haven’t been to Switzerland, you’re missing out. Not only are the people there often cited as being among the friendliest in the entire world, but Switzerland is home to many beautiful sites and exciting events. One of the top events you’ll find in Switzerland is the Montreux Jazz Festival, which has now been going on for fifty years.
The Montreux Jazz Festival is held on the first fortnight of July each year. This year, the dates are from June 30 to July 15. Do you have to be in Switzerland for the entire 16 days to enjoy the festival? Of course not. The best thing about the length of the festival is that no matter when you’re able to go, you’ll have an unforgettable experience.
Even if you aren’t a fan of jazz music, you’ll find a lot to enjoy at Montreux. That’s because although the festival began as an event purely for jazz music, it has since expanded to include rock, pop, and other genres. Performers at the Montreux Jazz Festival over the years have included legendary musicians and groups such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and more.
This year, the festival will continue to offer a wide variety of artists. From folk rock popsters The Lumineers and R&B songstress Erykah Badu to crooner Tom Jones and dynamic hip hop band The Roots, there’s a little bit of everything throughout the festival. Since the event takes place at several venues, including Auditorium Stravinski, Montreux Jazz Club, and Montreux Jazz Lab, you will have your choice of which artists to take in each day.
Taking in amazing music can work up quite an appetite, and throughout the festival you can enjoy the experience of exploring the promenades along Lake Geneva and trying out a remarkable assortment of top-notch cuisine. Furthermore, families with children can take advantage of the lakefront promenade and a number of play areas throughout the event to keep the kids happy.
For accommodations, the Montreux Riviera provides an extremely convenient and luxurious place to stay during your visit. In addition, the Montreux train station is located just a brief walk from the festivities, so no matter where you stay in the area, you’ll have easy access to the event. First class travel service is also offered by rail from locations such as Paris and Geneva, ensuring that you can visit the festival as part of your long trip to nearby French cities.