French Switzerland: Charging the Chateau Chillon

MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND – June 4, 2006
(rough notes only)

This is French Switzerland! Everyone speaks, writes French!

After taking a lovely morning walk along the banks of Lake Geneva, I arrived at the Chateau ChillonChillon was made famous in the writings of Lord Byron, who was so moved by the fate of Bonivard, Prior of St. Victor’s, Geneva.

Because Bonivard favored the independence of Geneva, he was chained in the prison cellar to a pillar for five years. Byron himself carved his name in one of the pillars as an expression of his remorse for Bonivard’s imprisonment.

Explored the rooms of htis 11th century castle, filled with armour, tapestries, banquet halls still decked with covered tables, carved solid-wood chairs, cupboards of metal utentils, glistening chandelierMoat and drawbridge, courtyards, watch tower with steep wooden-slat steps (can walk the ramparts), a prison, underground vaults, a crypt containing a small underground chapel

Was made all the more medieval by secondary school musical group, playing oboes, flutes, to the tune of period music

~Melanie