Each year, major events choose the shores of Lake Geneva as their stage: the Montreux Jazz Festival, whose archives are listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World register, the Montreux Comedy Festival, Polymanga, and the Fête des Vignerons in Vevey – a unique celebration of viticultural culture and tradition, inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In Lausanne, the PLATEFORME 10 arts district brings together leading institutions – in fine arts, photography, design, and contemporary applied arts – forming a new dynamic cultural hub at the heart of the city. The performing arts scene is equally vibrant, with internationally recognized institutions such as the Béjart Ballet Lausanne and the Prix de Lausanne, a prestigious international ballet competition.
The region has long been a source of inspiration for artists through the centuries, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Freddie Mercury, and Charlie Chaplin. The latter settled in Corsier-sur-Vevey, where his former home now houses the renowned Chaplin’s World museum.
The Lavaux vineyard terraces, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, embody the region’s strong connection between nature, culture, and ancestral savoir-faire. Named a Great Wine Capital in 2018, Lausanne also highlights the central role of gastronomy and wine in the region’s identity, with offerings that celebrate both local produce and globally inspired cuisine.
In November 2023, Montreux joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of Music, reaffirming its iconic status in the global music scene and its active contribution to cultural dialogue through sound.