Anyone been to Montreux?

Kerria

The hubby and I are off to Montreux for a mini break shortly, staying in the centre of town. I appreciate Switzerland has a reputation for being fairly pricey, but could anybody recommend any restaurants or cafes that won’t break the bank? Or any MSE ideas for things to do during the day? We already plan to visit the Freddie Mercury statue, Queen studio exhibition and Christmas market.

richardw

Tripadvisor is good for this http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g188108-Montreux_Canton_of_Vaud.html

Kerria

Thanks, I am looking at Trip Advisor too and finding it useful – just wondered if any MSE-ers had personal experience of Montreux, particularly from a moneysaving point of view.

John259

It's been many years since I last visited Switzerland, but back then Migros supermarkets were a great source for snacks and many other bargains at good prices. Some of their larger stores had customer restaurants, nothing posh but perfectly acceptable for lunch.
BTW I'm typing this post with the computer sitting on a camping table which was purchased from Migros in Martigny in the early 1960's.
http://www.migros.ch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migros

jackieblack

We honeymooned in Montreux :j
But it was over 23 years ago so my knowledge is so out-of-date it'd be useless now
I do remember buying bread, cheese, ets for lunch at the supermarket because the restaurants were so expensive

We stayed at the Montreux Palace (now the Fairmont Le Montreux Palace) they upgraded us to 'Lake View' room, because it was our honeymoon, and I also remember one elderly lady guest who wore her tiara to breakfast every morning

I'm not sure Montreux and money-saving really go hand-in-hand

pogofish

Same here - I've been to Montreux but its a long time ago, so not up to date. Also had family in the area so somewhat insulated from the costs visiting, which can be very expensive.

Second Migros and more local shops/cafes away from the tourist honeypots in the centre of Swiss towns - although in Montreux, IIRC the worst of it was around the Casino itself.

The walk along the Lake is probably the most memorable bit - you can go a good distance in either direction and I remember a lovely restaurant down by the lake - Le Rasin IIRC, which although not cheap did a daily special of local Perch dish that was quite delicious.

SW17

Was there in summer 2013, but only for a day as part of a trip to visit nearby Chateau de Chillon in Veytaux. If you like history the Chateau is definitely worth a visit, you can go by road or take a boat from the quay in Montreux. The lakeside walk is good, and there are numerous restaurants, not all very expensive (though not sure if all are open in winter). In addition to TripAdvisor, this website has a range of restaurants mentioned.

http://www.montreux-vevey.com/en/gastronomy_wine/Restaurants

As others point out, Migros is good value for food, there is one not far from the Freddie Mercury statue. Some of them have cafes serving reasonably priced snacks and light meals.

Don't know if you're a shopper, but do bear in mind that most shops are closed on Sundays.

Armorica

There is nothing cheap about Switzerland lol

I went there a view years ago - the views are stunning.

Chillon is lovely, if you venture over that way there is a good co-op supermarket at the end of the bus-line in villeneuve (well away from montreux prpoper)

Rue du Collège 2
1844 Villeneuve
Switzerland

there is a co-op to your right as you leave the main train station heading south

one way or another, it's worth trying to get a train out and back that comes down from the mountains - it's one of the most beautiful approaches as it curves down the mountain

rs65

Take the cog wheel train to Rocher De Naye and walk hrough the tunnel to the restaurant.

Kerria

Thank you for those suggestions - all really helpful. The supermarket is a great idea.

It will be my first time in Switzerland so really looking forward to it.

We are only going for 3 days so hopefully not long enough to go bankrupt!

Will remember to pack my tiara.

skint_chick

I went a few years ago and walked round to Chateau de Chillon beside the lake and it was beautiful. I'm just back from Switzerland and found that eating in supermarket self serve cafes or getting rolls, cheese and meat slices from the supermarket was the cheapest way to eat. I've taken the Panoramic express from Montreux through the mountains to Gstaad - takes about an hour and a half and costs about £20 return and had lunch in the mountains.

Wouldn't recommend shopping in Switzerland as it's so expensive - and you can pick up nice chocolate in the supermarket if that's your thing. I brought home a lovely Stollencake for Christmas and it only cost me £4