The Floralies around Lake Geneva offer a colourful show from spring to autumn. Several places in the canton are in bloom, to the delight of spectators: the Arboretum of the Vallon de l'Aubonne; Eclépens; Morges with its "Parc de L'Indépendance", its streets and its quays; Vullierens castle and Montreux.
Early March - end of April
Arboretum of the Vallon de l'Aubonne
One of the two biggest attractions of the Aubonne Valley Arboretum is the collection of cherry and plum trees. More than one hundred different species and varieties blossom between the beginning of March and the end of April, delighting the many visitors with their beauty. Many of these trees are grown for their fruit or their ornamental value, like the famous cherry trees in Japan.
In the second half of March until April, Eclépens is the scene of a magnificent flowering with sunshine colours. This village at the foot of the Mormont hill is famous for its daffodil blooms. Walking along the Entreroches canal, you can admire the numerous yellow flowers in the shelter of a forest on various hiking trails.
Mid-March - early June
Arboretum of the Vallon de l'Aubonne
The magnolias, one of the main attractions of the Arboretum of the Vallon de l’Aubonne, bloom from mid-March to the end of April or even into June for some species. Almost two hundred different varieties are on display in the park and enchant visitors with their delicious scent. Magnolias are trees or shrubs that come from warm temperate zones, but they have been able to make their home in our regions.
April - mid-May
Morges Fleur du Léman - Parc de l'Indépendance, quays and city of Morges
Every year since 1971, Morges has greeted the return of the fine weather by celebrating the Tulip Festival. The “Parc de l’Indépendance”, quays and whole city are the site of more than 140,000 tulips as well as daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses (early April). Various special events are held on the occasion of this free floral show.
May
Montreux - Avants, Pléiades, Haut-de-Caux, Mont Pèlerin, Glion, Orgevaux
Throughout the month of May – sometimes as early as the end of April and through until the start of June – the meadows of upper Montreux and Vevey are covered with a white coat. This elegant, delicate, fleeting cloak endows the Alpine foothills with its own distinctive charm for the space of a few days. Whether in Glion, Les Pléiades, Mont-Pèlerin, Caux or in Les Avants: discover the narcissi along the different trails with a beautiful view over the lake.
The iris collection of the Vullierens castle, created in 1955, is considered one of the most modern in Europe with more than 400 varieties, some reflowering in autumn. New varieties are introduced each year. During the peak of the blooming season from mid-May to early June, thousands of flowers form an incomparable mosaic covering 4 hectares. You can order rhizomes on site or via the online shop.
July - October
Morges Fleur du Léman - quays of Morges
Along the shores of Lake Geneva, the quays of Morges stretch over about a kilometre from the Temple to the “Parc de Vertou”. This enchanting setting is enlivened by more than 2,000 dahlias during this exhibition-sale, unique in Switzerland, that runs from July to October. Every year, some 100 varieties, line an idyllic walking path to be discovered on foot or riding the Little Tourist Train. In November, the festival ends with a large sale of tubers of the dahlias on display. Free access.
The estate’s second flower collection consists of nearly 200 varieties of daylilies, which can be admired in July and August. They flower abundantly and reflect the bright colours of summer. The botanical name means ‘Beauty for a Day’, but these flowers guarantee a colourful display for many weeks. An outstanding rose garden and many other flowers make for a wonderful summer excursion. Rhizomes can be ordered on site or online.
