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Chillon Bazaar: an e...
26 September 2024
Chillon Bazaar: an eyewitness to tourism on the banks of Lake Geneva
Just opposite Chillon Castle, you’ll find a gift shop. But not just any gift shop… In fact, it sits inside a building whose architecture is reminiscent of the ‘half-timbered’ style houses you’ll find in German-speaking countries.
The history of this building dates back to the golden age of Swiss tourism, when middle-class European families would sojourn to the banks of Lake Leman, near Montreux in the canton of Vaud.
The history of this building dates back to the golden age of Swiss tourism, when middle-class European families would sojourn to the banks of Lake Leman, near Montreux in the canton of Vaud.
Just opposite Chillon Castle, you’ll find a gift shop. But not just any gift shop… In fact, it sits inside a building whose architecture is reminiscent of the ‘half-timbered’ style houses you’ll find in German-speaking countries.
The history of this building dates back to the golden age of Swiss tourism, when middle-class European families would sojourn to the banks of Lake Leman, near Montreux in the canton of Vaud.
An old tourist postcard of Chillon Castle showing the bazaar, with Lake Geneva in the background.
In 1897, plans were drawn up to create a pavilion outside the castle, which would act as a point of sale for tourists. The shop didn’t open its doors until 1908, when it began selling postcards, books and souvenirs. The name ‘Bazaar‘ stems from this mishmash of a collection.
For three generations, the Bazaar was dutifully ‘held’ by the Held family. In 1973, it passed to André and Brigitte Chevalley. Two members of their team, Hugo and Anne Schaer, took over in 1994. The couple left in 2015, and the Bazaar has since been managed by Chillon Castle Foundation.
They had the building – which has been listed as a historic monument since 2010 – restored.
Further reading
Chillon, the first castle to achieve Level III – ‘Leading’ – under the Swisstainable programme
The Chillon Castle Foundation has been awarded Level III – ‘Leading’ – under the Swiss sustainability programme Swisstainable.
A first for a listed castle open to the public in Switzerland!
Chillon History Quiz
Chillon Castle is the most visited monument in Switzerland. You may well have visited before… but how well do you really know the castle? These questions are designed to test your skill and decide if you’re worthy of the title of lord or lady of the castle.
The Chillon Castle guest book
For over 60 years, the castle guest book has kept a record of some of the famous faces who have paid us a visit from the politics, art, sport and media worlds.