Montreux
Montreux is a traditional resort town on Lake Geneva. Nestled between steep hills and the lakeside, it's known for its mild microclimate and the Montreux Jazz Festival, held in July. The town's promenade is lined with flowers, sculptures, Mediterranean trees and grand Belle Époque buildings. Offshore is a medieval island castle, Château de Chillon, with ramparts, formal halls and a chapel with 14th-century murals. The Montreux Jazz Festival features concerts on a variety of stages and parks is very famous. Since its beginning in 1967 the festival has developed into a big event which frequently features the greatest jazz, blues, rock, world music and soul musicians. Rock-trivia buffs love the story of British hard rockers Deep Purple recording an album at the town's casino in 1971 and commemorating a fire that broke out during a Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention gig (also held at the casino). The pall of smoke cast over Lake Geneva inspired Deep Purple to pe