Travel
7 greatest street journeys in Switzerland
Switzerland may look tiny on paper, however with most of its land wolfed up by the Alps, this little European nation packs in plenty of elevated area.
Wherever you go, you’re in for one hell of a drive: roads unfurl alongside the shores of nice lakes and glaciers, mountain passes corkscrew as much as fairy-tale medieval castles, and on the excessive roads, each wonderful bend makes you wish to screech to a halt and yodel in delight.
Neatly wrapping all of it up is the large one – the 1,643km (1,021-mile) Grand Tour of Switzerland – an epic, effectively signposted lap of the nation that hyperlinks 12 UNESCO World Heritage websites and exhibits off the Alpine nation from its most flattering angles.
Quick on time? Don’t fear – listed below are seven different unimaginable street journeys in Switzerland to present you a head begin.
1. Furka Move
Finest street journey for glaciers and mountain peaks
Obergoms–Andermatt; 35km (22 miles)
The wows by no means go away your lips, and the Alps by no means go away your rear-view mirror on this astonishingly steep, snaking, stop-the-car-and-grab-the-camera drive from the distant valley of the Goms in Valais to mountain-encrusted Andermatt in Uri.
Should you start to really feel relatively Bond-like behind the wheel, it’s no coincidence: this street starred within the automotive chase scene within the 1964 film Goldfinger and brings out the 007 in everybody.
Swerving precariously round switchbacks, it tops out on the 2,429m (7,969ft) Furka Move, the place you’ll be able to peer throughout the lunar rockscape of a wind-battered plateau and park to see the deeply crevassed Rhône Glacier and its ice grotto earlier than the lengthy, sweeping descent to Andermatt.
Planning tip: Drive the Furka Move west to east for full-on, hairpin-riddled drama and views of austere peaks and glaciers that may draw fixed gasps. Open roughly from June to October, the best time to go is the summer season, because the street closes when the snow arrives. Test situations earlier than heading out.
2. The Appenzell rural route
Finest street journey for rural Switzerland
Appenzell–St Moritz; 200km (124 miles)
Switzerland’s rural, folksy coronary heart beats loudest within the Appenzell area, snuggling as much as Liechtenstein within the nation’s northeast. It’s a terrifically unsung area for a street journey, with rolling dairy nation giving solution to lavishly frescoed cities. Every week? Doable. Two weeks? Now you’re speaking…
The route passes Säntis mountain (on the summit of which you’ll see six nations), the seven wavy limestone peaks of the Churfirsten vary and the gorgeous medieval hamlet of Werdenberg earlier than crossing little-but-lovely Liechtenstein, with a vital stop-off at its castle-topped capital, Vaduz.
The mountains soar ever greater as you cruise south to vine-rimmed Maienfeld – the setting of the beloved Swiss kids’s e-book Heidi – and the gorge-spanning Salginatobel Bridge, a feat of engineering described as a murals.
Pretty Engadine villages like Guarda and Zernez entice you into the nature-gone-wild Swiss National Park earlier than your drive south to St Moritz, the place sky-high mountains promise additional adventures.
3. Southern Switzerland’s peaks
Finest street journey for mountain surroundings
Lugano–Zermatt; 264km (164 miles)
The Alps are your fixed companion on this ravishing drive via the excessive mountains of southern Switzerland, which takes in each the Gotthard and Furka passes. You will wish to enable no less than every week to do it justice.
Start on the route’s finish in lakeside Lugano, which shoulders as much as Italy and delivers a shot of dolce vita in its cafe-rimmed piazzas and palm-fringed parks. From right here, the street cruises north to Locarno – one other magnificence with its botanical gardens and palazzo-filled Renaissance Previous City – and UNESCO World Heritage Bellinzona with its trio of hilltop medieval fortresses.
The language switches from Italian to German as you energy north into the Alps correct and Airolo on the foot of the Gotthard Move. This drive is just too good to hurry, so consider time for a break in Andermatt, the place big wilderness, high-elevation hikes and sensational Alpine surroundings await.
Simply west of right here, the heart-quickening, hairpin-bend-riddled Furka Move leads you up and over into the glacier-encrusted mountains of Valais. The ultimate stretch of the journey encompasses Bettmeralp, the epic Aletsch Glacier and Brig, with its whimsical Stockalper Palace, constructing to a crescendo in Zermatt, the place the mighty Matterhorn holds you in its thrall.
4. Gotthard Move
Finest street journey for gorges and canyons
Andermatt–Airolo; 26.5km (16.5 miles)
Positive, you may take the tunnel (one of many world’s longest) via the St-Gotthard Massif, however the place’s the enjoyable in that?
If it’s Alpine highs you’re after, the previous street over the two,108m (6,196ft) Gotthard Move enthralls. Buckle up, roll down the window and put together for a feast of untamed, lonely, bleakly stunning mountain surroundings on this serpentine street linking the Italian-speaking Swiss area of Ticino to the German-speaking area of Uri. If the curvy street appears a problem right this moment, simply consider the poor souls that after made the arduous journey on foot and with pack animals.
In a former customs home on the prime of the move, the seasonal Museo Nazionale San Gottardo offers perception into the historical past and tradition of the move, but it surely’s the heart-quickening views you’ll bear in mind most.
Even the Romans shied away from the Gotthard, and it wasn’t till the Satan’s Bridge was constructed within the 1300s that the move turned correctly accessible. The bridge straddles the Schöllenen Gorge, the place partitions of sheer granite plunge to the raging Reuss River far beneath. On the south facet of the Gotthard Move, the cobblestone Tremola is a tour de drive of 37 switchbacks that ship you pinballing right down to Airolo.
Planning tip: The street is weather-dependent – it is normally open from Might to November.
5. Julier Move
Finest street journey for getting off the crushed observe
Chur–St Moritz; 157km (98 miles)
Surroundings like this could include a drumroll. Unfurling via the otherworldly grey, jagged, moraine-streaked Alps of Graubünden, the two,284m (7,494ft) Julier Pass is the icing on the cake of a stunning, lengthy, winding drive that connects the Alpine metropolis of Chur to St Moritz within the Engadine Valley.
Little-trafficked and thrillingly wild, the move has been used since Roman occasions, and stays of a Roman temple are nonetheless seen. The street dives deep into the center of the Albula Alps, ticking off pristine mountain landscapes like Parc Ela, Switzerland’s greatest nature park, the place you is perhaps tempted to quickly swap the open street for a mountain climbing path or two.
Unspooling like a ribbon, the Julier Move continuously tops polls of Switzerland’s most stunning drives, and for good purpose: its distant, far-away-from-everywhere really feel provides to its attraction tenfold.
Planning tip: Whereas the drive is technically open year-round, take care with snow and ice. You’ll want winter tires and snow chains within the chilly months.
6. Wheel via Western Switzerland
Finest street journey for lakes and forests
Geneva–Neuchâtel; 190km (118 miles)
The Alps get plenty of love, however sidling as much as France in Switzerland’s not-so-wild west, the deliciously off-the-radar Jura region has its personal quiet, surprising magnificence with lakes and vineyards rolling to châteaux and pine forest-cloaked hills.
Start with a robust hit of tradition in worldly Geneva, reclining gracefully on the shores of its croissant-shaped lake. From right here, the route tiptoes off the crushed observe north into the Jura Vaudois Nature Park for hikes with lake views and tastings of Gruyère cheese at rural Alpine huts.
Dedicate no less than a few days to the second half of the drive as you cruise north to serene Lac de Joux, with its watchmaking heritage, and Vallorbe, the place Switzerland’s most astounding limestone caves reveal a wonderland of subterranean rivers, waterfalls and rock formations.
Close to Lac de Neuchâtel, you’ll discover the lushly rolling Val-de-Travers, birthplace of the “inexperienced fairy” (absinthe) and the nice crescent-moon canyon of Creux du Van. The drive ends with a metaphorical bang at Neuchâtel, topped off by a turreted fantasy of a medieval citadel.
7. Switzerland’s prime cities
Finest street journey for nature amidst city Switzerland
Zürich–Bern; 315km (196 miles)
Bookended by Switzerland’s de facto capital Bern and the nation’s largest metropolis Zürich (generally mistaken for the capital), this sensationally diverse street journey leaps joyously from the city to the outside, winging you from culture-crammed cities to nice abbeys, medieval castles, lakes and mountains of fable.
Bidding Zürich’s big-hitting museums and funky waterfront bars a reluctant adieu, the drive swings south alongside the shores of Lake Zürich with tantalizing views of the Alps on cloudless days. Cease off at ludicrously fairly cities, resembling vine-ribbed, castle-topped Rapperswil, earlier than heading south to Einsiedeln and its whopping Benedictine abbey.
Lucerne hits the cultural candy spot with its perfect-looking Previous City and galleries. Detour to fjord-like, exquisitely turquoise Lake Uri for a style of the nation’s geographical and religious heartland. Squeeze in dairy excursions and meadow strolls in mellow Emmental as you ease your manner southwest to Bern, town of Einstein, elegant arcades and wild swims within the Aare River.
Planning tip: Goal for no less than every week behind the wheel – ideally extra.
Trustees of the British MuseumThe primary go to of Hawaiian royals to London two centuries in the past will characteristic in a brand new exhibit on the British Museum.
Hawai’i: A Kingdom Crossing Oceans is a “dazzling celebration of the wealthy artistry of Hawaiian makers, previous current and future”, based on the museum.
The exhibition, which opens in January, will commemorate greater than 200 years for the reason that go to of Hawaiian King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu to London in 1824 when the royal delegation have been searching for an alliance and safety from the Crown.
This journey to the capital included a go to to the British Museum – the primary file of Native Hawaiian royals on the museum.
Royal Assortment Enterprises LtdThe exhibition will characteristic round 150 objects and artworks together with many by no means seen within the UK.
Among the many highlights is an ahu ʻula, a feathered cloak despatched in 1810 by the primary king of unified Hawaiʻi, Kamehameha I, to King George III.
Lent by King Charles III from the Royal Assortment, the cloak will probably be on show for the primary time in over 100 years, alongside the Hawaiian king’s authentic letter requesting assist and safety from the British Crown.
Trustees of the British MuseumGuests to the museum will probably be greeted on the steps of the Nice Courtroom by a nine-foot (2.7m) picture of the god Kū, the god of warfare and governance, dressed with a recent loincloth and standing atop a pole rediscovered inside a historic plinth.
A finely carved drum accompanied by an historic chant recounting early Polynesian migrations to Hawaii will characteristic alongside a bowl with determine, not too long ago returned from mortgage to Hawaii’s Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, that represents actions of individuals and objects between the Pacific and the UK.
The Anglo-Franco proclamation of 1843, on mortgage from The Nationwide Archives, highlights the UK and France’s formal recognition of Hawaii’s independence and emphasises diplomatic bonds between the nations.
Trustees of the British MuseumThe creation of the exhibition concerned “the meticulous conservation of ancestral treasures and the inclusion of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language) all through the area”, the British Museum mentioned.
Dr Alice Christophe, head of Oceania on the museum, mentioned the exhibit is a tribute to Native Hawaiian makers, previous and current.
She added: “It tells the story of the deep and layered relationship between Hawaii and the UK, reflecting on care, sovereignty and the complexity of allyship.
“We hope this present will spark conversations and uplift folks within the archipelago and past.”
The exhibition will run from 15 January to 25 May 2026.
France is a rustic steeped in historical past, and nowhere is that this extra evident than its fantastically preserved medieval cities.
From Alsace’s timber-framed homes to Provence’s dramatic hilltop villages.
These cities permit guests to step again in time, wander cobblestone streets, marvel at historical structure, and expertise the appeal of bygone eras.
On this listing, we’ve gathered 20 of the best-preserved medieval cities in France that you simply completely should see.
20 Greatest Medieval Cities in France To Go to
Scroll down to find the 20 finest medieval cities in France that needs to be on each historical past buff and tradition fanatic’s bucket listing!
1. Riquewihr, Alsace
Riquewihr is a picturesque village in Alsace typically described as some of the lovely in France.
Its well-preserved Sixteenth-century structure, with colourful half-timbered homes lining slender cobblestone streets, makes it really feel like stepping right into a fairy story.
Guests ought to come right here to expertise the distinctive Alsatian tradition, discover the encircling vineyards, and style the area’s well-known wines.
Don’t miss the Dolder Tower, a Thirteenth-century defensive gate, or wine cellars providing tastings. The Alsace villages are among the most picturesque places in France.
2. Eguisheim, Alsace
Eguisheim, a cute fairytale town in France, is thought for its concentric round format and vibrant floral shows.
The city’s magnificence lies in its colourful medieval homes, charming central sq., and surrounding vineyards.
Guests will take pleasure in strolling by the slender streets, visiting the Chapel of St. Leo IX, and mountain climbing the close by Three Castles path.
The city can also be well-known for its storks, which nest on rooftops throughout summer time.
3. Rocamadour, Occitanie
One in all France’s most unique towns is Rocamadour, a vertical village dramatically constructed into the face of a cliff. Its beautiful location and spiritual significance make it a must-visit place that needs to be in your France bucket list.
The city is dwelling to a number of vital spiritual websites, together with the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Guests can climb the Grand Escalier (Nice Staircase) to the château on the prime, which gives breathtaking views of the Alzou Canyon.
4. Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dordogne
Sarlat is without doubt one of the best-preserved medieval cities in France, well-known for its golden stone buildings and gastronomic delights.
Guests ought to come right here to wander the labyrinthine streets, discover the bustling market, and take pleasure in native specialties like foie gras and truffles.
Don’t miss the panoramic view from the highest of the Sainte-Marie church tower or a go to to the Manoir de Gisson.
5. Dinan, Brittany
Dinan is a walled city recognized for its spectacular ramparts, half-timbered homes, and picturesque port.
Guests will love strolling alongside the previous metropolis partitions, exploring the quaint Rue du Jerzual, and having fun with a meal at one of many cafes alongside the previous port.
The city’s magnificence is enhanced by its location overlooking the Rance River. Go to the Château de Dinan and climb the Tour de l’Horloge for panoramic views.
6. Honfleur, Normandy
Honfleur, with its picturesque previous harbor and slate-covered home facades, has lengthy been a favourite topic for artists.
Guests come for the charming ambiance, maritime historical past, and glorious seafood eating places.
Key points of interest embody the wood Church of Saint Catherine, the Eugene Boudin Museum, and the gorgeous Jardin des Personnalités.
7. Perouges, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Perouges is a superbly preserved medieval walled city that appears frozen in time. Its cobbled streets and stone homes make it a preferred movie location.
Guests ought to expertise life in a Fifteenth-century city, style the native specialty “galette de Pérouges,” and benefit from the peaceable ambiance. Don’t miss the central Place du Tilleul or the Eglise-Forteresse.
8. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Occitanie
Perched excessive above the Lot River, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is a shocking medieval village that has impressed many artists. Its magnificence lies in its dramatic setting, Gothic facades, and slender alleyways.
Guests can discover quite a few artisan outlets, hike within the surrounding space, or take a ship journey on the Lot River. The village is especially magical within the night when the day-trippers have left.
9. Gordes, Provence
Gordes is a placing hilltop village within the Luberon area, well-known for its stone buildings cascading down the hillside.
Guests come for the breathtaking views, particularly at sundown, and to discover the encircling lavender fields and olive groves.
Key points of interest embody the Sixteenth-century château, the close by Sénanque Abbey, and the standard Tuesday market.
10. Locronan, Brittany
Locronan is a small city that has maintained its Renaissance appeal, with granite homes and an exquisite central sq..
Guests will admire the dearth of seen trendy infrastructure, making it really feel actually timeless. The city is thought for its spiritual heritage, conventional Breton festivals, and as a filming location.
Don’t miss the Church of Saint Ronan or the native artisan workshops.
11. Cordes-sur-Ciel, Occitanie
Cordes-sur-Ciel, or “Cordes within the Sky,” is aptly named for its hilltop location, typically shrouded in morning mist. This bastide city is thought for its well-preserved Gothic structure and thriving arts scene.
Guests ought to come to discover the medieval homes, go to artisan workshops, and revel in panoramic views of the countryside. The city hosts a well-known medieval competition every July.
12. Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Mont Saint-Michel is without doubt one of the most iconic landmarks in France, a medieval marvel that rises dramatically from the ocean.
This UNESCO World Heritage website is a small rocky island topped by a shocking abbey and surrounded by a picturesque village.
Guests are drawn by its distinctive structure, wealthy historical past, and the fascinating phenomenon of maximum tides that isolate and join it to the mainland.
Discover the winding streets, go to the magnificent abbey, and be taught concerning the website’s significance as a pilgrimage heart.
13. Minerve, Occitanie
Minerve is a small village with a dramatic historical past, perched on a rocky peninsula between two deep gorges. Guests come for its Cathar historical past, beautiful pure setting, and glorious native wines.
Discover the village’s slender streets, go to the Twelfth-century church, and be taught concerning the Cathar siege on the small museum.
14. Monpazier, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Monpazier is without doubt one of the best-preserved bastide cities in France, recognized for its excellent grid format and exquisite central sq..
Guests will admire the well-preserved medieval and Seventeenth-century structure, the lined market corridor, and the peaceable ambiance.
15. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is nestled between two rocky cliffs, with a star suspended on a series between them.
The city is known for its advantageous porcelain and proximity to the Verdon Gorge – one of many best places in the French Riviera area.
Guests ought to discover the slender streets, go to the Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel perched above the city, and store for native ceramics.
16. Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Occitanie
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a serene medieval village tucked right into a dramatic gorge on the pilgrim path to Santiago de Compostela.
Its UNESCO-listed Gellone Abbey, with its exceptional Romanesque structure, rises above a maze of slender streets and stone homes.
Don’t miss the abbey’s lovely cloister, the Place de la Liberté with its historical elm tree, or the satan’s bridge spanning the gorge.
17. Conques, Occitanie
Conques is a jewel of Romanesque artwork nestled in a wooded gorge in Occitanie.
Its magnificent Abbey Church of Saint Foy, with its intricate tympanum and golden reliquary, has drawn pilgrims for hundreds of years alongside the Santiago de Compostela route.
Don’t miss the treasury’s medieval goldsmith assortment, the carved capitals within the cloister, or the sundown view from the Bancarel viewpoint.
18. Najac, Occitanie
Najac is a shocking medieval fortress city perched dramatically alongside a single ridge excessive above the Aveyron River.
Its majestic Thirteenth-century royal fortress stands on the highest level, whereas the village’s stone and half-timbered homes stretch alongside the ridge in a novel linear format.
Don’t miss the Gothic church of Saint-Jean with its uncommon fortified options, the panoramic views from the fortress hold, or the traditional lined market corridor the place native farmers promote their produce.
19. Vézelay, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Vézelay is a hilltop village in Burgundy topped by its magnificent Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene.
This UNESCO World Heritage website rises majestically above the Remedy Valley, its golden stone glowing within the sundown whereas its medieval streets are lined with historic homes and ramparts.
Don’t miss the spectacular views over the Burgundian countryside, or the home the place Jules Roy lived, now a literature museum.
20. Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is a remarkably preserved medieval city perched on a hilltop close to Good, remodeled into an inventive haven within the twentieth century.
Its large medieval ramparts encircle slender cobblestone streets lined with elegant stone homes, whereas up to date artwork galleries and boutiques occupy historical buildings.
Remaining Ideas on The Greatest French Medieval Cities
Exploring France’s medieval cities is like stepping right into a residing historical past e-book.
Every village gives a novel glimpse into the nation’s wealthy previous, well-preserved structure, and timeless appeal.
From the long-lasting Mont Saint-Michel to the lesser-known gems like Perouges, these cities present unforgettable experiences for historical past lovers, tradition lovers, and informal vacationers alike.
Able to plan your trip in France? Use our complete France Travel Guide to make sure you don’t miss any of the unbelievable locations.
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