SWITZERLAND’S CASTLES: UNIQUE VENUES FOR BUSINESS OR PLEASURE

Switzerland is home to a wide variety of majestic castles and many Swiss castles offer unique opportunities to revisit the past or host an unforgettable event. Business Mir has selected the best of these noble dwellings for either a guided tour or an exceptional venue for organising private receptions, business meetings and seminars.

Photo: Chillon Castle (DR) Chillon Castle Located on the shore of Lake Geneva near Montreux, Chillon Castle is Switzerland’s most famous historical monument. This 1,000 year old castle has inspired artists including Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo and Gustave Courbet. Enjoy a guided tour of this prestigious ducal residence to visit its dungeons, grand rooms and courtyards. Chillon Castle’s medieval atmosphere makes it an unparalleled venue for events ranging from intimate dinners to banquets and business meetings (up to 440 guests).Chillon Castle 1820 Veytaux Tel: +41 (0)21 966 89 10 Opening hours: www.chillon.ch Prangins Castle Prangins’ splendid castle, built in 1730, is just a 20 minute drive from Geneva. The castle was a baronial residence during the Age of Enlightenment and once home to both Voltaire and Joseph Bonaparte. Prangins Castle’s superb Swiss National Museum depicts 18th- 19th Century life in Switzerland and a multi-purpose room is available for parties of up to 90 people.Prangins Castle 1197 Prangins Tel: +41 (0)22 994 88 90 Opening hours: www.chateaudeprangins.ch

La Sarraz Castle La Sarraz Castle, located between Lausanne and Yverdon, was built in the 11th Century and has an outstanding collection of furniture and paintings which belonged to its many generations of inhabitants. An 18th Century barn houses The Horse Museum, which was awarded the Council of Europe’s International Museum of the Year Prize in 1986. A variety of stately halls can accommodate up to 250 guests for receptions and business seminars.La Sarraz Castle 1315 La Sarraz Tel: +41 (0)21 866 64 23 Opening hours: www.swisscastles.ch/vaud/lasarraz Coppet Castle Coppet Castle’s original furniture and artworks are all intact as – although it is open to the public in season – the castle is also a family residence. Construction began under Pierre de Savoie (d. 1268) and Coppet Castle was rebuilt from 1680–1730. Jacques Necker, Louis XVI’s Minister of Finance until the French Revolution, bought the estate in 1784 and Mme de Staël, Necker’s illustrious daughter who fervently opposed Napoleon Bonaparte, later established her famous Salon de l’Europe at Coppet. The castle’s 4 exquisite halls, wine cellar and winter garden can be reserved for private events (from 90–500 guests) in an elegant 18th Century setting at any time of year.Coppet Castle 1296 Coppet For daily guided tours in season (Easter-Oct. 31st) Tel: +41 (0)22 776 10 28 For private events year round Tel: +41 (0)22 776 73 55 Opening hours: www.swisscastles.ch/vaud/coppet Grandson Castle Built between the 11th & 14th Centuries overlooking Lake Neuchâtel, Grandson Castle includes a chapel, a torture chamber and beautiful Renaissance halls. Three of its imposing guard towers were constructed c.1280 by a local knight and this medieval castle houses an extraordinary collection of weaponry as well as models depicting the Battle of Grandson (1476). Grandson Castle also features a popular Automobile Museum, displaying Winston Churchill’s 1938 Austin limousine along with other vintage vehicles. The castle’s various halls are available for banquets (up to 80 guests) and parties or business conferences Grandson Castle 1422 Grandson Tel: +41 (0)24 445 29 26 Opening hours: www.chateau-grandson.ch