Château de Chillon is a 13th century castle on the shore of Geneva Lake in Veytaux, Switzerland. http://www.destination360.com/europe/switzerland/castles The castle faces Burgundy and Italy, a location which was an asset to the House of Savoy's military. http://europeforvisitors.com/switzaustria/vaud/montreux/castle-of-chillon.htm The structure is a collection of additions and renovations carried out over the course of the Savoy period (12th century to 1536), the Bernese period (1536-1798) and the Vaudois period (1798 to present). http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-La%2Bgrande%2Bhistoire-0-0.html The castle has been owned by the canton of Vaud for the past 200 years. http://europeforvisitors.com/switzaustria/vaud/montreux/castle-of-chillon.htm

Château de Chillon is Switzerland’s most visited historical monument, with 313,125 visitors in 2009. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-La%2Bpetite%2Bhistoire-0-0.html 75 percent of these visitors are foreign tourists. http://www.lake-geneva-region.ch/en/page.cfm/Firstlevelnavigation/cultureheritage/castels/19975 The castle is available to rent for banquets, concerts and other special events. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-Locations-0-0.html Guided group tours are recommended, and are available in ten languages. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-Visites%2Bguid%25E9es-0-0.html

According to archeologist Albert Naef’s excavations, Château de Chillon has been occupied since the Bronze Age. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-La%2Bgrande%2Bhistoire-0-0.html It became national property in 1803 when patriots from Vevey and Montreux occupied the castle. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-La%2Bgrande%2Bhistoire-0-0.html

Jean-Jacques Rousseau set one scene of his novel, Julie or the New Heloise, at the castle. http://www.lake-geneva-region.ch/en/page.cfm/Firstlevelnavigation/cultureheritage/castels/19975 Lord Byron read Rousseau’s work and was inspired to visit Château de Chillon. 54 years after Rousseau published his book, Byron published The Prisoner of Chillon, a poem about François Bonivard’s imprisonment due to his anti-Savoy stance. http://www.lake-geneva-region.ch/en/page.cfm/Firstlevelnavigation/cultureheritage/castels/19975

Château de Chillon is open 363 days a year (closed on December 25 and January 1). http://europeforvisitors.com/switzaustria/vaud/montreux/castle-of-chillon.htm Ticket prices remain the same throughout the year, although visitor hours vary from season to season. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-Horaires-0-0.html

Visiting Hours

• Between April and September, the castle is open between 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• Between October and March, the castle is open between 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Between November and February, the castle is open between 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Clos de Chillon is a white grape wine made directly beside Château de Chillon. Profits from the wine sales are used to restore and conserve the castle. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-Clos%2Bde%2BChillon-0-0.html
• Chapel: The castle’s chapel is adorned with 14th century paintings. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-%25C0%2Bvoir-0-0.html
• Courtyards: Three courtyards branch off of the castle's entrance. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-%25C0%2Bvoir-0-0.html
• Underground area: This is where François Bonivard was held prisoner. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-%25C0%2Bvoir-0-0.html
• Great halls: Each of the four great halls overlooks Geneva Lake. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-%25C0%2Bvoir-0-0.html

Because Château de Chillon resides on an island, a moat surrounds it by default. The shape of the castle is oval, like the island itself. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-plan-0-0.html One side of the castle faces a mountain which at one time allowed it to protect the Via Italica road, while the other side faces Lake Geneva. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-plan-0-0.html

There is a gift shop on-site which offers books, toys, chocolate, tea, wine, postcards and posters. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-sur%2Bplace-0-0.html While no restaurant is available on the grounds, visitors have access to the outside snack bar and picnic area. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-sur%2Bplace-0-0.html There is also a beach available to the public until 9:30 p.m. when it closes for private parties. http://www.chillon.ch/en/index-la%2Bplage-0-0.html