The main attraction of Rochers-de-Naye, an Alpine peak towering over Montreux and Lake Geneva is usually the stunning views of this beautiful part of Switzerland. However, during advent hundreds of visitors to the picturesque Montreux Christmas market also take the cog-wheel train up the mountain to visit Santa Claus.
The Magical World of Santa Claus in Montreux, Switzerland
Annually, for most of the duration of the Montreux Christmas market, the Magical World of Santa Claus (Monde Magique du Père Noël) is open on top of Rochers-de-Naye. At 2,015 m (6,611 ft) snow is guaranteed this time of the year – snow is far less likely during December in Montreux itself.
For children, a highlight of a visit to the Rochers-de-Naye mountain station during Christmas is meeting personally with Santa Claus who gives every child a souvenir gift, sweets, and an official certificate commemorating the visit. Parents will enjoy the awe-inspiring views both from the mountain station and along the spectacular ride to the top of the mountain.
- Montreux is in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Due to the high-number of foreign residents and visitors, English and German are widely spoken.
Visiting the Magical World of Santa Claus on Rochers-de-Naye
The House of Santa Claus (La Maison du Père Noël aux Rochers de Naye) opens with the Montreux Christmas market usually on November 27. Unlike the Christmas market, which stays open past Christmas Day up to December 28, Santa takes his leave on December 24. Santa usually takes some Mondays off too.
- Rochers-de-Naye has a famous marmot park but when Santa is in residence his reindeer tend to get more attention.
Taking the Santa Claus Express from Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye
Rochers-de-Naye is reached by cog-wheel train from Montreux in just less than an hour. En route, the train passes through tunnels and crosses bridges with amazing mountain and lake views. During the ascent, the train climbs around 1,600 m (5,250 ft) from Lake Geneva to the top of the Alps.
During December, the cog-wheel train from Montreux to Rochers-de-Naye makes the 55-minute journey up to eight times per day. First departure is just before 10 am from Montreux and the last train leaves the peak just before 7 pm. Reservations are obligatory and can be made through any Swiss train station or through Golden Pass Services.
- It is possible to sleep at Rochers-de-Naye in dormitories or more interestingly in one of seven Mongolian yurts. Yurts sleep up to eight and must be booked in total by a single party. Individuals can sometimes book dormitory beds but during the lower season only group reservations are accepted.
The Montreux Marché de Noël is one of the most picturesque Christmas markets in Switzerland. Other major Swiss Christmas markets are held in Bern and Zurich but for Weihnachtsmärkte with centuries of tradition, it is usually necessary to cross the border to either Germany or Austria.
Henk Bekker - Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer currently living on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
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